From two to five – Kommersant

The All-Russian Center for the Study of Public Opinion (VTsIOM) presented the results of a survey, from which it follows that the opinions of Russians on state support for families with children are divided approximately in half: 51% believe that all families with children should receive such support, regardless of their financial situation. 42%, on the contrary, believe that state support should be targeted to needy families. The survey was published on the eve of the first all-Russian conference “Demographic policy of modern Russia: how to achieve growth contrary to forecasts”, which took place today in Moscow. It also follows from the VTsIOM data that reproductive health is not among the most important priorities for men and women, however, 28% of Russian women would like to have three children, and another 9% – four or more children. 7% of the women surveyed would not want to have children at all.

VTsIOM published survey data, held in March (1.6 thousand Russians over 18 were interviewed) and dedicated to the attitude towards state support for families with children. 51% of respondents believe that such support should be provided to all families with children, regardless of their financial situation and income level. 42% believe that the state should help, first of all, families with low incomes. Characteristically, this point of view is more often held by men and women over 60 years old, younger age groups are more likely to consider the correct categorical approach to providing assistance: to every family with children.

49% of respondents also believe that families have the right to dispose of the funds they receive at their own discretion. 42% believe that it would be more correct to transfer aid to a special account from which it is possible to pay for certain goods and services, the quality of which should be guaranteed by the state.

The survey data were published on the eve of the first all-Russian conference “Demographic policy of modern Russia: how to achieve growth contrary to forecasts”, held in Moscow today by the Institute of Demographic Policy. D. Mendeleev with the support of the presidential administration and the presidential envoy in the Central Federal District.

Greetings to the participants were sent by Vladimir Putin, who noted, in particular, that “the multiplication of the people of Russia” is “our main national idea.”

Note that, according to the UN, the population of Russia may be reduced to 112 million people in the next 100 years. The conference participants came to the conclusion that a critical decline in the Russian population can be avoided if the total fertility rate is raised from the current 1.50 children per family to 2.15. For this, it is proposed not only to continue to support motherhood and childhood, but also to make efforts to form a positive image of a large family.

However, as follows from data, which Elena Mikhailova, adviser to the general director of VTsIOM, presented during the conference, Russians still consider the model of a family with three or more children to be very attractive. Last March:

• 39% of Russian women aged 18 to 45 reported that they would like to have two children,
• 28% – three children,
• 12% – one child,
• 9% – four or more,
• 7% would not want to have children at all.

If there is one child, 54% of respondents want to have a second one, and if they have two children, 39% want to have a third. The fourth child in the presence of three remains desirable for 7% of respondents.

According to Elena Mikhailova, the initiators of the birth of the second, third and subsequent children are more often men.

Characteristically, the level of prosperity has a noticeable impact on the plans of Russians related to childbearing: at the current level of income, childless families would like to have an average of 1.87 children, and in “ideal” material conditions – 2.85. For families with children, these figures are 2.8 and 3.9, respectively. On average in Russia, the planned number of children per family in the current material circumstances reaches 2.11, and in ideal circumstances – 3.85.

At the same time, the data of another VTsIOM pollconducted in early March show that men and women in Russia do not prioritize reproductive health when answering a question about women’s and men’s health.

VTsIOM asked respondents to rate the importance and significance of various components of male and female health. On the first lines for both men and women was:

• safety of sexual life in terms of protection against infections (8.9 in women and 8.2 in men),
• mental state (8 in women, 7.4 in men),
• physical health (7.67 and 7.34),
• external attractiveness (7.64 and 7),
• the opportunity to have sex and enjoy it (7.31 and 7.42).

Reproductive health as an opportunity to conceive a child was rated by women at 6.84 points out of 10, men at 6.42). Restrictions that will not allow having a child in the future are related to reproductive health in 10% of the women surveyed (not related – in 58%). The vast majority of Russians, regardless of gender, know or have at least heard about the availability of assisted reproductive technologies (IVF, surrogate motherhood, freezing of eggs, spermatozoa and / or embryos).

Ivan Tyazhlov