2019, Vol. 10, No. 2. - go to content...

Permanent address of this page - https://sfk-mn.ru/en/25scsk219.html

Метаданные этой статьи так же доступны на русском языке

Full article in PDF format (file size: 401.2 KB)

For citation:

Pakshina I.A. [Representation of small towns in Mordovia by social network users] World of Science. Series: Sociology, Philology, Cultural Studies, 2019, Vol. 10, No. 2. Available at: https://sfk-mn.ru/PDF/25SCSK219.pdf (in Russian).

Representation of small towns in Mordovia by social network users

Pakshina Iraida Adolfovna
Scientific center of social-economic monitoring state institution Mordovia Republic, Saransk, Russia
E-mail: iraida-69@mail.ru

Abstract. Introduction. The article presents the results of the study of subjective perception of the surrounding living space by residents of small towns in Mordovia. The significance of the study of the features of small towns’ perception by residents through the prism of socio-cultural characteristics is due to the need to study ways of expressing urban identity. The author reviews the small towns of Mordovia in the context of the personal perceptibility of the inhabitants as the object of the research. The aim of the study is to identify the patterns of social representation of small towns of Mordovia on the popular city Internet forums of the social network VKontakte.

Materials and methods. In the process of studying the representation of the city general scientific methods and techniques of research were used – analysis, synthesis, analogy, comparative and the method of insider’s view. With the help of content analysis, the reconstruction of the subjective perception of the surrounding living space was carried out. The objects of observation were 18 communities of the social network “VKontakte”. The statements of users in social networks served as the material for this study. The article presents the results of the research which was conducted from January 1 to March 31, 2019. During the process of collecting information, 327 records were registered.

Result of investigation. The results of the qualitative study revealed the social and economic problems of small towns of Mordovia – the deterioration of the demographic situation, the outflow of young people to larger cities or megacities, the lack of prospects for the development or implementation of their own ambitions. The comparison of the results of qualitative research and quantitative indicators permitted to make a conclusion about the high degree of rootedness of the inhabitants of Temnikov, Ardatov and Kovylkino. Residents of small towns of Mordovia are characterized by a deep spiritual connection with their native city, even among those ones who left it long ago. Labour migration is perceived by residents as a forced measure and an element of a survival strategy. Users of social networks perceive the small provincial city as backward and ignorant, in which they can observe a daily clash of routine and despair.

Conclusion. The results of the qualitative study showed that the representation of the modern provincial city is created by expressing the complex of existing socio-cultural relations. The basis for overcoming of the so-called “narrative breakdown”, which is peculiar for small towns, is a high degree of rootedness of citizens, rich historical and cultural heritage and unique natural potentiality.

Keywords: small town; representation of the city; urban identity; urban environment; everyday life; living space; subjective perception

Download article in PDF format