Perception of Wellbeing and Life Aspirations Among Children in the Czech Republic

This thesis examines the mechanisms that shape children's wellbeing and life aspirations in the Czech Republic, with a focus on comparing family environments and institutional care. Through secondary analysis of quantitative data (N=880 children, including 112 from children's homes), we test seven hypotheses divided into three research areas. The first area verifies the validity of Bourdieu's theory of capital in the context of substitute care. We found that children from children's homes show significantly lower educational aspirations (62% vs. 79% in families) and identified the paradox of "institutional optimism" - high ambitions in the absence of tools to fulfill them. In the area of social relationships, we discovered polarization: most children in institutions create excellent friendships, but 7% face total isolation. The second area analyzes determinants of wellbeing in the family microsystem. We empirically confirmed Možný's paradox: the quality of relationships (family climate) is almost four times stronger predictor of wellbeing than family structure. Analysis of leisure time revealed that the benefit comes from diversity of activities, not physical activity alone. The third area confronts children's and parents' perspectives. We confirmed systematic parental optimism (parents...