The article is intended to research the interpretation of the category “tradition”, its definition and typology. The author also uncovers various trends in defining this category. The importance of the structural functional analysis of the term tradition as an original social phenomenon is emphasized in order to identify its structural elements: idea (representation) tradition (certain behavioral norms) and ritual (symbolic implementation of tradition). The main function of tradition: regulation transference of the social experience, educational, information and integration ones are being identified. The author came to the conclusion that the categorical imperative of the present is the utilization of the potential of the national traditions in order to regulate relations between people and generation, to solve problems which arise due to the invasion of the “mass culture” on modern youth.