SOCIOCULTURAL CHANGES IN CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY AND THE TRANSFORMATION OF THE FAMILY INSTITUTION

Abstract

This article examines the impact of contemporary sociocultural changes on the transformation of the family institution and on the emergence of new forms of family conflict in Uzbekistan. The study is based on a theoretical analysis of Western sociological concepts of the family (A. Giddens, U. Beck and E. Beck-Gernsheim, E. Illouz, L. Waite, A. Hochschild, S. Turkle) and on a secondary analysis of national and international statistical and analytical data. The results show that the gradual shift from a patriarchal to a more egalitarian family model, the rise of individualism, labor migration, digitalization, economic instability and the weakening of traditional mechanisms of social control jointly shape the conflict potential of the contemporary family. These processes are reflected in the growing number of divorces, particularly among young families, in the asymmetry of spousal expectations and in latent forms of intra-family tension. In the Uzbek context, global trends are superimposed on enduring cultural norms, which produces a specific configuration of family conflicts. The article concludes that a comprehensive and culturally sensitive approach to the prevention and resolution of family conflicts is required, including the institutional strengthening of mediation, family counseling and legal education.