LARGE FAMILY IN THE MODERN RUSSIAN SOCIETY:DEMOGRAPHIC ASPECT

Abstract

Introduction. Scientific discussions on the implementation of the second demographic transition have
not been completed, it is possible to identify specific features of changes in the structure of families in different
countries or different social groups (for example, religious ones), but it is premature to talk about the
universality of this process. In modern Russia, the social structure of families and households has changed,
however, in order to capture the essence of the changes and identify the factors that have had an impact; it
is necessary to constantly monitor the situation. The answers to the following questions are of scientific
interest: how the structure of families in Russia has changed; what motivation is the basis for reproducing
the structure of large families in different periods of demographic transition? The article presents an analysis
of empirical data that allows us to identify trends in the transformation of the structure of the Russian family;
to characterize the motives of reproductive behavior in large families, to determine what conditions and
resources are required in large families to form or maintain well-being.
Materials and methods. The information base was the data of the All-Russian population censuses for 2002,
2010 and 2020; the results of the author's research were an in-depth interview with parents from a large family
in the course of the All-Russian sociological study ‘Demographic well-being of the regions of Russia’, 2021.
Results. The changes in the structure of Russian families towards the increasing share of large families
under the influence of demographic policy measures have been revealed, the consolidation of this trend
requires the implementation of targeted measures to support the institution of a large family, which, in the
authors’ opinion, should correspond to the ideal model of a ‘prosperous family’.
Discussion. It is important to develop a demographic policy strategy taking into account trends in the
structure of Russian families. The analysis of interviews with large families provided for the formulation of
the main directions of assistance to large families, as well as to systematize social practices of members of
large families aimed at preserving and developing the family well-being.