Keskond

Keskond is an Estonian term describing the social and physical setting in which a person lives and acts. It refers to the milieu that shapes attitudes, opportunities, and behavior, and encompasses the networks, institutions, and cultural norms surrounding an individual or a group. The concept is commonly used in sociology, psychology, and education to analyze how surrounding conditions influence development and actions.

In practice, keskond includes family life, peer groups, schools and other educational institutions, workplaces, local communities, media, and broader economic and cultural contexts. It is considered alongside individual factors to explain outcomes such as learning success, social participation, and wellbeing. In educational literature, phrases like learning keskond or school keskond describe the relevant environment for students; in workplace studies, the term is used to discuss organizational climate and social setting.

Distinctions and usage: while keskkond in Estonian also means environment, it more often refers to natural or built surroundings, whereas keskond emphasizes social milieu or networked conditions. Nevertheless, the two terms can overlap in everyday usage. The plural keskonnad refers to different environments or milieus.