Vol 27, No S1 (2024)
Articles
To our readers
Population. 2024;27(S1):4-4
4-4
FEATURES OF MODERN FAMILIES
Russian model of marriage: age and gender profile (2011–2021)
Abstract
Based on the calculated sex and age indicators of marriage in the Russian Federation for the inter-census period (2011–2021) with the account of the results of the All-Russian Population Census-2020, territorial differences in marriage at the level of federal districts and regions of the Russian Federation were identified. By means of the index method, contribution of the age-related marriage rates of men and women and the age and sex structure of the population to changes in the total marriage rate was assessed. To study the intensity of marriage in Russia, the age and sex structure of population was studied, and time series of the age rates of marriage, total marriage rates were calculated as the sum of the age marriage rates for men and women in the active age of marriage (from 16 to 60 years), including first and repeated marriages, average age of grooms and brides in federal district and regions of Russia.There was examined the gender gap in age marriage rates at the level of federal districts and the RF subjects and its contribution to the total marriage rates. The total marriage rate of women exceeds that of men due to the higher first marriage rate of women, possibly due to the fact that men often enter into the first and second marriage with women who have not been married before. It is found out that the progressive increase in the average age of brides and grooms in Russia is mainly due to an increase in the age of first marriages, rather than remarriage of widows or divorced persons. During the inter-census period, a slight decrease in first marriages was recorded for both men and women, as well as a significant decrease in remarriages of men and their convergence with the model of remarriage of women that has not changed.
Population. 2024;27(S1):5-16
5-16
The state and dynamics of family structures in modern Russia as a challenge to its civilizational development
Abstract
The study examines aggravation of the problems of demographic dynamics and the state of family structures in modern Russia as a challenge to its civilizational development. civilizational The objectives of the work are: to consider theoretical approaches to the dynamics of family and marriages in the country, to analyze the state of the marital structure of the Russian population, as well as the structure of families with children; to substantiate the conclusion that transition from small to large families in Russia is a way to overcome depopulation and preserve the Russian civilization. UN analysts conclude that by the middle of the 21st century, Russia will lose its status as one of the most populated countries in the world — in 2022 Russia ranked 9th in the ranking of the most populated countries. Aggravation of the problems of demographic dynamics, primarily the increasing depopulation, is becoming the most significant challenge to the civilizational development of the country. Marital status of the population of modern Russia is of particular interest for our study. The marriage structure shows that at the age of over 16, one third of the country’s population has not indicated a marital status or has never been married, almost one in five residents of our country (19.5%) can be classified as «marriage wrecks», and only less than half of Russians (49.0% of the population of marriageable ages) are married, and among them 4.4% of the population aged 16+ are in an unregistered marriage. At the same time, the interest in marriage remains significant for the residents of our country — in 2022 the marriage rate was 7.2‰. According to the latest All-Russian Population Census, the share of families with children under the age of 18 with one child is 49%, with two children — 38%, with three — 10%, with four — 2%, with five or more — 1%. Overcoming civilizational challenges, including demographic ones, is conditioned by effective strategies in the social and political spheres. Social construction of a better future in the demographic sphere is the most urgent and difficult goal of modern Russia.
Population. 2024;27(S1):17-27
17-27
Supporting points of large families in the transformation of modern family
Abstract
The article is devoted to description of the factors (supporting points) of large families in modern Russia based on the analysis of data obtained by the authors in the course of many years of scientific research. The most important support of large families is their multigenerational character, where parents receive support from grandparents, as well as other relatives in raising children. The authors also name type of family (patriarchal or egalitarian), system of values including religion, settlement status, legal status of family, legal status of parents, education level of family fathers, matrimonial behavior and reproductive attitudes of modern youth as the supporting points of large families. An important factor in having many children is social policy of the state concerning family support. The authors conclude that the characteristics of modern Russian large families have changed. In particular, they point to some distinctive features: transition from forced large families to conscious ones; large families are gradually becoming a sign of well-being, an indicator of prestige and high social status; higher education of parents is not at all an obstacle to having large families, and higher education of fathers directly stimulates large families; cohabitation not only acquires the same legitimacy as legally formed family unions, but also does not limit itself to the number of children born, the phenomenon of illegitimate large families appears, etc. The authors pay a considerable attention to the issue of the status of family as a subject of law. Currently, through the activities of its members, family becomes a subject owing private property, in connection with which it claims to be endowed with the functions of a legal entity, and consequently, importance of the issue of the legal personality of the family increases: it is in the interests of modern large family — to become a generally recognized subject of Russian law, to be ranked not only among the subjects of certain legal relations, but law in general.
Population. 2024;27(S1):28-37
28-37
Influence of migration history on marital status and the number of children among modern Russian men and women
Abstract
The article analyzes data from the 30th round of the study “Russian Monitoring of the Economic Situation and Public Health” conducted by the National Research University Higher School of Economics and Demoscope LLC in 2021. The respondents who took part in this round were divided into three groups. Group 1 includes people who were born in the same towns and villages where they live now. Group 2 — people who were born in other places, but settled in this locality before the age of 16. As a rule, they were brought by their parents. Group 3 consists of people who moved to their current place of residence at the age of 16 and older. Many respondents from group 1, who have never moved anywhere, do not want to change anything in their lives. Consequently, they are more likely to remain single and/or childless and less likely to have three or more children than respondents from groups 2 and 3. However, in group 3, many people cohabit with their partners without marriage registration. The proportion of childless cohabitants is many times higher, and the average number of children they have is much less than that of legal spouses. According to the author, only those people who are not afraid of the difficulties associated with resettlement to another region or to another country are capable of it. Those of them for whom family and children are vital values are also not afraid of the difficulties associated with starting a family. In migrant families, the mindset of starting a family with several children is more often passed on from parents to sons than to daughters.
Population. 2024;27(S1):38-52
38-52
INTRAFAMILY RELATIONS
Who is the head in this house? Gender features of decision-making in modern Russian family
Abstract
On the basis of the data from the «Russian Longitudinal Monitoring Survey (RLMS HSE)» a dynamic analysis of the perceptions of men and women about their influence on decision-making the the family was carried out. The analysis covers 2006–2021. There are examined modern trends in the change in self-assessments of the degree of influence on decision-making in the family, as well as the role of various factors that determine formation of family decisions. It is shown that the existing distribution of power between spouses in making decisions in the family is characterized by a fairly high stability, but behind the veil of such stability, various and quite dynamic changes of a particular order are often hidden, prompting a rethinking of the understanding of the very mechanism for making such decisions. Since the process of family decision-making is determined by age, level of education, a spouse’s job, the number of children in the family, and other circumstances, the influence of which is mediated by gender specifics, husbands and wives perceive their role and influence in making these decisions differently. But in general, wives who continue controlling the domestic sphere are assessing their influence in making decisions in the family noticeably higher than their husbands. Although power largely determines the ability of a particular person to influence other people and the decisions they make, married men and women rarely associate their influence in family decision-making with the possession of power as such. But at the same time, feeling of being influential in the family is an important determinant of the social well-being of spouses.
Population. 2024;27(S1):53-65
53-65
Parental well-being through the eyes of Russian men
Abstract
The article problematizes the relevance of studying modern paternity practices, summarizes the results of empirical data from Western sociology on the factors and gender specifics of parental well-being. The authors present new findings of an exploratory study of the determinants of parental well-being. With the help of qualitative methods of semantic analysis of the content of written narratives, the basic markers of parental well-being in the perceptions of Russian men were identified (in descending order of importance): “relationships and care for children/family”; “security: income, work, housing”; “health”; “well-being and success of children”, “complete family”. The differentiation of associative ideas about parental well-being depending on the presence of children and their age was examined. In the group of fathers whose children are older than 14 years, the relevance of the material factor decreases, the importance of social success and achievements of children grows. Young childless men are significantly more likely to associate their ideas about parental well-being with financial security, still considering trusting relationships, harmony, happiness and love as the main foundation. The empirics was formed using a standard online survey technology, the period of conducting: April — June 2023. The design of the study follows the author’s “women’s” project of 2022, that made it possible to identify gender specifics. Unlike women, the factor of time devoted to children is insignificant for men; they closely associate parental well-being with family well-being, mention the need for a complete family much more often, emphasize the importance of relationships not only with children, and talk about a general family atmosphere. The male paradigm is dominated by an activity approach, expressed in the ability to take care of children and family. The study confirms the need to apply the principle of targeting in the development of technologies for popularizing the value of parenthood, taking into account gender and age characteristics and marital status.
Population. 2024;27(S1):66-80
66-80
Older generation: features of communication with children
Abstract
Based on data from a comprehensive observation of the living conditions of the population, representative of all regions of the Russian Federation (more than 100 thousand people were surveyed), an analysis is given of the characteristics of communications between family members within the family itself and with external contractors on the issues of support and care. The older the parents, the more they need help from their children: 86.9% elderly people aged 70 years or more need care during illness 82.1% need help with housework, 78.5% with buying food and things, 72.9%.need monetary assistance One third of parents (27.8%) receive financial assistance from their children. More than half (57.2%) of parents aged 60–65 years and the majority of those aged 80 years and older (77.7%) report that their children take care for them during illness. One type of support is provided for 12.3% of parents, two types of help — for 16.4%, three — 17.9%, four — 12.8%, five — 14.1% (26. 5% do not receive any help). Parents also help their children under the age of 18 who live separately, for example, pensioners aged 70 years and older help in raising their grandchildren (51.2%), give them money (34.3%), food (14.1%), buy things (8.6%). With age, family ties are less and less often reinforced by meetings and “close-range” communication. At pre-retirement age (55–59 years) 18.4% people do not meet with friends, relatives or colleagues at least once a week, at the age of 60–64–19.8%, 65–69 years — 24.2%, 70–74 years — 27.6%, 75–79 years — 31.1%, and the situation is even worse for people aged 80 years and older — 37.8%. Parents and children support each other financially and physically; at the same time, it is important to pass on the traditions and values of preserving family ties and transmitting family values from the older generation to the younger.
Population. 2024;27(S1):81-93
81-93
YOUTH’S ATTITUDE TO FAMILY AND CHILDREN
Mating and reproductive behavior of modern Russian youth
Abstract
Steady natural population decline continues to be recorded in most regions of Russia. One of the priority factors influencing the continued depopulation of the country’s population is a change in the reproductive behavior of young people, which is expressed in postponing official marriage and birth of children to a later age period of 25–35 years, or a complete refusal to have children. This trend is a significant factor in reducing the number of young people themselves, and consequently the number of women of fertile age. According to Rosstat, by 2035 the population aged 14–35 years in Russia will decrease by almost 10%, and the number of Russian women in the active reproductive age of 20–29 years will almost halve. There are analyzed the key elements of the marital and reproductive behavior of young people, which are two interrelated processes: entry into an official registered marriage (an analysis of age-specific marriage rates by gender by federal districts was carried out) and the process of having the first and subsequent children (an analysis of age-specific fertility rates was carried out) with tracking of the dynamics indicators for a 21-year period with a five-year periodicity for 2001, 2006, 2011, 2016 and 2021 by population of four age groups of active reproductive age: 16–17 years; 18–24 years; 25–34 years; 35–49 years; 50–70 years (analysis for 2001 and 2006 of the age group 35–70 years). The results of the study confirmed that a distinctive feature of modern marital and reproductive behavior of young people in Russia is postponement of marital and reproductive debut to a later age stage, predominant focus on a small or medium-child lifestyle, while one of the main characteristics of the first stage of creating a family is premarital cohabitation.
Population. 2024;27(S1):94-106
94-106
Infantile or responsible: students about new trends in the marriage and family and reproductive spheres
Abstract
In recent decades, Russian society has observed trends having a negative impact on demographic dynamics: an increase in the age of marriage, postponing the birth of the first child, a focus on a small number of children, and high rates of divorce and abortion. Reproaching modern youth with hedonism and infantilism, preoccupation primarily with their own career and material well-being, but not with starting a family, has become commonplace. However, the latter is in conflict with the value system articulated by young people, in which «family» invariably occupies the first place. The article attempts to answer the question of whether there is a value shift or even a conflict, or whether one is a necessary condition for the implementation of the other. The empirical basis was the results of a sociological study, the purpose of which was to identify the ideas and attitudes of student youth regarding new trends in the field of marriage and family relations and reproductive behavior. The data obtained indicate that young people are indeed inclined to postpone marriage and the birth of their first child to a later date. However, judging by what associations the word «marriage» predominantly evokes; what meanings are invested by respondents to the birth of a child; what they see as the ideal number of children and the number of children they themselves are guided by; what is their attitude towards large families, towards providing assistance to older generations, the reasons for this are not a decrease in the value of family and parenthood. And not in infantilism: on the contrary, in the answers, the theme of «responsibility» is largely associated with the ability to reliably provide for the family. Such attitudes are a reaction of young people to the current socio-economic context; accordingly, changes in the reproductive behavior patterns can be expected with its significant adjustment, transition from a set of situational measures to a full-fledged social policy.
Population. 2024;27(S1):107-119
107-119
Reproductive decisions in family: abortion, contraception, IVF
Abstract
Reproductive decisions in modern families are based on reproductive goals, on the one hand, and the possibilities of their implementation, on the other. Reproductive solutions, the approach to which has evolved along with the possibilities of producing safe abortion and effective contraception, have made it possible even to make male and female sterilization reversible, and assisted reproductive technologies have become used when it is necessary to restore fertility, artificially limited to protect against unwanted pregnancy. Birth control as a demographic, social, and medical problem of society has become more dependent on regulating the number of births in a family. The purpose of the article is to identify trends in making individual decisions regarding birth of children, taking into account the new possibilities of artificial termination of pregnancy, protection against unwanted pregnancy, and fertility restoration using assisted reproductive technologies. The information base consists of thematic data from official state and medical statistics, information and analytical materials, results of sociological surveys from different years, publications by Russian and foreign scientists in the field of demography and medicine, materials from specialized websites. Changes in the priorities of modern contraceptive methods are identified as the availability of programs based on in vitro fertilization in Russia and other countries increases (growth of male and female sterilization with cryopreservation of sexual material). The trend of changing attitudes towards «home abortions» is shown, which intensified after the expansion of telemedicine as a necessary measure during the COVID-19 pandemic. The gender barriers of contraception in connection with limited methods for men and the medical and social prospects for solving this problem in different countries are highlighted.
Population. 2024;27(S1):120-131
120-131
Students’ attitude to children and parenting: gender and rural-urban comparisons
Abstract
Since 2015, Russia has shown signs of a demographic decline, and for the first time in many years, the decline in the birth rate has also affected the countryside. Transformation of marital and family, of reproductive and child-parental orientations extends to all socio-demographic groups of young people, but is internalized in different ways by people from the countryside and urban residents. Among the rural youths, there are more of those who value family and children highly in the system of life orientations, who have traditional ideas about the distribution of gender roles, who are focused on having many children and successful parenting. Rural girls are characterized by maximum reproductive attitudes, child-centric and positively parenting oriented. With a high orientation towards achieving well-being through a successful career and material independence, they are more likely to give birth to the desired number of children due to high social regulation of reproductive behavior, which is typical for rural local community. Urban girls are distinguished by the desire for self-realization in many areas of life that makes them reduce their reproductive orientations despite high normative ideas about children and parenthood. Realization of their reproductive potential lies in developing tools for an effective combination of motherhood and possibilities of individual self-development. Urban youths represent the group least interested in family and children. Among them, there is a high proportion of those inclined to consider children financially and morally costly, they are characterized by minimal reproductive attitudes. Thus, measures are needed to prevent consolidation of such attitudes and expansion of orientations towards childlessness. It is concluded that it is necessary to develop state family policy tools that take into account, on the one hand, the specific needs and preferences of different socio-demographic groups of young people, and on the other hand, that are aimed at harmonizing individual interests of potential parents’ self-development and demographic goals of the development of Russian society.
Population. 2024;27(S1):132-146
132-146
SOCIO-ECONOMIC PROBLEMS OF FAMILIES
Work and family: gender inequalities in the distribution of money and time
Abstract
The article analyzes the relationship between family and work, as well as the issues of gender inequality that exists in these main spheres of life of women and men. Gender gap indices are used as indicators of inequality in these spheres. The gender gap in the sphere of labor is measured mainly by money, in family — by time. Special attention is paid to the gender pay gap (GPG) as the most recognized marker of economic gender inequality, the magnitude and dynamics of which are largely determined by family-related factors. On the example of changes in the documents of the International Labor Organization (ILO) there are traced the stages in development of the gender equality concept and the turn made to realization that family responsibilities play an important role for workers employed in the economy. The article compares statistical data and results of Russian and international studies on inequality in the family and at work, identifies common features and regularities of the influence of family factors on the size of the GROT, as well as peculiarities of the dynamics of women’s and men’s wages in different countries. Some parallels are drawn between the studies of Claudia Goldin, Nobel laureate 2023 in economics, and the works of Russian authors. The analysis of the relationship between family and work has made it possible to make a number of recommendations for finalizing the National Project «Family» announced by the President.
Population. 2024;27(S1):147-160
147-160
Low-rise housing as a priority in raising housing space availability to families in the Russian Federation
Abstract
The article considers several issues of low-rise housing construction as one of the systemic solutions to the problem of raising the quality of life of the population of the Russian Federation as well as the demographic problem. The study is based on the results of the Rosstat’s surveys «The Comprehensive Monitoring of the Living Conditions of the Population» that were carried out in 2011, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020 and 2022. We examine how new housing construction in 2011–2022 influenced general housing space availability for families in the Russian Federation by considering the dynamics of total housing space and number of rooms in individual houses and apartments in urban and rural areas, shares of different households experiencing certain or severe overcrowding and changes in livable housing space per household’s member. The article analyses the issue of relative underdevelopment of the utilities’ and social infrastructure and lower quality of amenities in areas with predominantly low-rise buildings as well as accessibility of state and municipal services in such spheres as education, healthcare, public transport and road infrastructure. We demonstrate the advantage of individual houses in comparison to apartments in terms of larger housing space and opportunities for upbringing children. The article reveals the dichotomy in housing space availability and quality of amenities between families with and without children, between families living in individual houses and apartments, between families living in urban and rural areas where families with children, in private houses and in rural areas systematically face lower quality housing conditions than families from other corresponding categories. And this pinpoints the issue of fairness and priorities in distribution of newly built housing across the country.
Population. 2024;27(S1):161-176
161-176
Family mortgage as one of the tools of demographic policy
Abstract
A number of different public policy instruments are aimed at overcoming the negative demographic situation in Russia, including family mortgage, housing loan program for Russian families with children who can apply for it at a reduced interest rate. The purpose of the article is to identify the current trends in improving the living conditions of families with children, to assess the effectiveness of this tool and its possible impact on changes in the birth rate in Russia. The information base of the study was made up of normative legal acts, information and analytical materials, including data from credit institutions on the mortgage lending market, results of sociological surveys, and publications by Russian scientists. The authors analyzed the causal relationship between the improvement of the state family mortgage program (2018–2024) and the possibility of its transformation into a real tool of demographic policy. They considered the progressive dynamics of changes in the additional terms of the Family Mortgage program in accordance with the national goals, socio-economic conditions and macro-regional priorities. There are highlighted constrains in the implementation of the state program at each stage, as well as promising conditions for increasing the attractiveness of family mortgages, which became the most popular program with state support among Russians in 2023 and remains in demand in 2024 that is declared the Year of the Family. It is shown that within the framework of competition for the borrower, new forms of interaction between credit institutions and developers are emerging, and the Far Eastern region retains its advantages in concessional lending. However, the achievement of the target indicator — an increase in the total fertility rate in 2024 to 1.7 children per a woman — is not ensured by the trend, which confirms the decrease in the number of births in the period 2015–2022. The features of the mentality of modern Russian youth indicate a predominant awareness, but restraint in relation to state support programs with mortgages. The family mortgage program has not yet become an effective tool of the country’s demographic policy.
Population. 2024;27(S1):177-189
177-189
Shortcomings of the environmental behavior of families: excessive consumption
Abstract
The purpose of the study is to analyze the attitude of the population towards natural environment and natural resources as a characteristic of human potential. In the first part of the article, the environmental behavior of the population is considered in terms of the propensity to conserve resources and reduce waste generation. Water and energy consumption in everyday life is analyzed in different regions, and their strong differentiation is noted. A similar situation has been found out in the formation of solid municipal waste per capita. There are identified the factors influencing the considered indicators of environmental behavior, the main of which is average per capita income. It is noted that families tend to save their expenses on water and energy consumption, waste management, but not consciously preserve these natural goods themselves. An index of environmental behavior of the population is proposed, which is built from particular indices on water, energy consumption, and waste generation in everyday life. A comparative analysis of the index values for all Russian regions was carried out. The index also makes it possible to track the dynamics of changes in environmental behavior and assess the effectiveness of measures influencing this behavior. In the second part of the article, the issue of environmental behavior of the population is generalized to the analysis of its primary source — the needs of the population. It is shown that the pyramid of needs in the modern world has been transformed, and satisfaction of primary material needs leads not to formation of spiritual demands, but to excessive consumption of material goods. It has been suggested that excessive consumption is even more dangerous for the survival of mankind than overpopulation of the planet. The concept of responsible consumption is considered as a program to combat excessive consumption. It is noted that the problem of greening the needs of the population has not yet found its place in most documents on sustainable development. Since consumer habits and environmental behavior are formed in childhood, the dominant role of the family in environmental education is emphasized.
Population. 2024;27(S1):190-201
190-201
SCIENTIFIC LIFE AT ISESP FCTAS RAS
IX International research and practical conference “Incomes, expenditures and savings of the russian population: trends and prospects”
Population. 2024;27(S1):202-208
202-208