The book is devoted to the analysis of Russian youth as an object of socialization and self-realization, its role in the reproduction of the social structure of Russian society. Increased attention is paid to the formation of a mass consciousness of young people, the perception of social contradictions of modern Russian society, the reasons for low civic engagement, mood in conditions of economic crisis, ethnic and religious tolerance. A separate chapter is devoted to motivating young people to choose a profession, the problems of employment of graduates of professional educational institutions. Problems of youth drug addiction, alcohol abuse, homelessness are considered in dynamics from 2001 to 2009. The book is based on the results of numerous all-Russian sociological studies conducted under the guidance of authors from 1997 to 2009.