FAMILY STRATEGIES OF MODERN RUSSIAN YOUTH AS A KEY FACTOR OF THE DEMOGRAPHIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE COUNTRY

Abstract

The purpose of the article is to determine the main characteristics of family strategies of modern Russian student youth. Family strategies are understood as a model for young people to see a number of parameters of their future family, such as the format of family relations, age-related orientations of joining them, and the number of children in a family. As a result of the analysis, the authors formed a set of basic parameters of the family strategies of modern Russian youth. Firstly, this is a pronounced orientation towards the perception of the family as a marriage officially registered with the registry office. Family relations in the eyes of young people are possible without official registration with the registry office. However, the concept of “family” is associated with the fact of having official registration of marriage. Secondly, in addition to feelings of love, such key things as the availability of work and a steady income are the key drivers of the transition of young people into a state of official marriage. Learning and work are largely regarded as the antipodes of a family life form - it is believed that marriage at a student age negatively affects the opportunities for young people to study and work. Thirdly, the majority of young people are positive about the idea of a family with a large number of children (three or more). But this circumstance in practical terms is often made dependent on material factors. Modern Russian student youth tend to postpone the birth of their first child until housing and financial issues are resolved.