Mass Culture as a Means of Moral Degradation and Formation of Children’s Deviant Spirituality in Refraction of Criticism by K.I. Chukovsky
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Introduction. Cinema, toys, literature for children are not only the source of entertainment but also the most important tool for the formation of moral values. K.I. Chukovsky was convinced that films, cartoons and books should be the bearer of true spiritual wealth, and not the means to satisfy sinister interests and primitive needs. Modern children’s publishing, in contrast to the beliefs of the writer and the required standards imposed on it, is oversaturated with hidden deviations, which poses a particular danger to children. The purpose of our work is to continue the study of increasing hidden tendencies of destruction of children’s consciousness through the production of mass culture, which were long ago identified by K.I. Chukovsky in his critical works and are included in the basis of the current study of the problem.Materials and Methods. The basis of this study is the following methods: historical and literary, axiological, formal logic. The main material base was the works of K.I. Chukovsky: “Multi” (1940), “Corruption of children’s souls” (1948), “Corruption of American children” (1949), “Education of gangsters” (1949), works of domestic and foreign researchers of the phenomenon of mass culture.Results. American comics and the work of W. Disney as part of mass culture in the refraction of criticism of the writer are weapons of mass destruction: they morally decompose children, impose a hedonistic and anti-human way of life on them, oppose tradition, blur and neutralize the concepts of good/evil, light/darkness, norm/deviation in the children’s consciousness.Discussion and Conclusion. Critical works of K.I. Chukovsky clearly show that mass culture contains a risky potential that can decompose morality, form deviant spirituality, promote and implant any idea. Research on this issue allows us to respond in a timely manner and take the necessary actions in order to prevent tragic consequences in the issue of raising the younger generation. Especially now, when there is a merciless mental war against our children.
Author: Konstantin A. Lukyanenko
Institution: Don State Technical University
Language: English
Subfield: Literature and Literary Theory
Field: Arts and Humanities
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4408999082