The social transformations in Russian society in the past two decades have made relevant the problem of paradoxality, including its application to young people. The results of many years of sociological studies by the authors investigating the social problems of young people completely confirm Toshchenko's conclusion that "paradoxality of consciousness has come to be an inseparable part of present-day life" in Russia. The paradoxical nature of social life and the consciousness of Russian society, which to a large extent is objectively conditioned by society's disrupted character ("the bond between eras has been broken") and by the worsening of so many societal contradictions, is most graphically manifested among the younger generation of Russians. Definitely at work is their marginal position in society, the emotionality and keen perception of the world that are characteristic of young people's psychology; the categorical character of their opinions, assessments, and positions; and the ways that these are expressed. The paradoxical nature of young people's consciousness has to be taken into account and investigated in greater depth.