Students’ Perspectives on Family Values in Bosnia and Herzegovina: At the Crossroads Between Tradition and Modernity

Abstract

This study explores changes in family values and orientations among students in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with a focus on their perceptions of traditional and modern family models. A qualitative research design was employed, using focus group discussions with 30 university students, to gain insights into their narratives, lived experiences, and attitudes regarding family and marriage as systems of values. The findings reveal that students view the family as a fundamental social institution, yet one marked by tensions between traditional expectations – such as respect for elders, marriage, and family unity – and modern values, including freedom of choice, gender equality, and flexible family roles. Students emphasized love, respect, trust, empathy, and communication as key family values, while also expressing concern about individualism, alienation, domestic violence, and economic instability. Greater acceptance of diverse family forms, such as cohabitation and single-parent families, was observed, whereas attitudes toward same-sex partnerships remained divided. The study highlights the influential roles of parents, religion, education, and media in shaping students’ family value orientations. In conclusion, students strive to integrate both traditional and modern values, seeking to preserve family stability while adapting to contemporary social changes. These findings enhance understanding of value transformations among young people and underscore the importance of situating family dynamics within broader societal and cultural shifts.