The system of education exerts a substantial, positive influence on all social processes in society, and that includes upbringing. Owing to a number of specific causes, however (in particular, inadequate material, technical, and organizational support), the system has not performed that function very well for about ten years. Moreover, various sociological surveys have made it possible to discern other factors that present obstacles to the revival of the systemic character of upbringing in educational institutions. Because of the influence of current processes, and owing to the virtual absence of a state ideology, people's political, ideological, moral guidelines, perceptions, and values are changing in contradictory ways in different social groups and regions. The crisis situation in Russia has had an especially painful impact on the fate of the rising generation. The most active period of the socialization of today's younger generation is characterized by difficult conditions of economic instability. Traditions that seemed to be unshakeable are breaking down, and the social structure, as well as people's views, conceptions of life goals, and ways to achieve those goals are changing. As a result, there are dangerous deformations in the development of society. Results of research on the values of Russian youth attending higher education institutions suggest that the trend toward a more individualistic and personal-success orientations is linked to increasingly antisocial and amoral attitudes. (Contains 3 tables and 2 notes.) [This article was translated by Kim Braithwaite.]