Russian research centre Romir.ru released results of a study into views of citizens about marriage, family, and housekeeping.
The project under the name “Russia. 10 years later” compares the findings of 2004 survey with 2015, and shows how the common perceptions about marriage and family changed over the years.
What Changed in Views of Russians About Marriage in 10 Years
- The number of families were housekeeping duties are shared by both husband and wife nearly doubled (24% in 2004 and 43% in 2015)/
- Accordingly, the number of families were the responsibility of a homemaker is the woman’s domain reduced by 1/3 (from 49% in 2004 to 33% in 2015).
- Russians believe in getting married later in life (the number of people thinking the best age to get married is 25-29 increased from 23% to 31%, and after 30 from 4% to 6%).
- However, more than half of respondents still believe in getting married before the age of 25 (62% in 2004 compared to 51% in 2015), which is still pretty young by western standards.
What Russians think of marriage and family (graphics by Romir).
Time To Get Married
Surprisingly, just like in 2004, 1% of Russians believe in getting hitched before the age of 18.
- In general, Russian women prefer to get married earlier than men: 60% of females indicated their desire to get married by the age of 24, while only 40% of men think they should wed by that time.
- 37% of men believe in marrying at the age of 25-29. Only 27% of women support this view.
- Every 10th man believes that the best age to say “I do” is after 30. Only 3% of women want to postpone nuptials until that time.
On average, females believe that the ideal age to commit is 23. Men’s averages came to 25 years old. (Average for both genders: 24.)
It should be noted that in 2004 the average age of marriage, as indicated by both genders, was 23.
Cohabitation Before Marriage
People were also asked their opinion about couples living together before a wedding (de-facto marriages).
- Half of respondents approved of such unions and believe that civil marriages allow couples to test their feelings.
- Further 15% indicated that they fully support such unions, as there is no need to formalize a relationship in order to live happily.
- 31% believe that civil unions are unacceptable. The share of such responses was higher among people over 60 and the ones living in the Southern and Caucasus regions.
Children in Families
Views of Russians on the number of children in a family remained the same.
Russian women and men were asked how many children should be in a family, if a couple can afford them. The 2015 results are similar to the ones from 2004.
- 43% believe that families should have 2 children (no change).
- 34% see a family as having 3 children in 2015, compared to 35% in 2004.
- 13% think a family should have 4 children or more (10% in 2004).
- Fewer people think 1 child is enough: 9% (7% in 2004).
The results are so alike that the differences could be attributed to a statistical glitch, Romir researchers state.
Housekeeping
The most significant social changes are reflected in sharing of homemaking duties.
- Fewer men are taking care of the household than before: only 8% in 2015 as compared to 13% in 2004.
- Only 1/3 of families follows the traditional model where the wife is the only one responsible for homemaking tasks: 33% in 2015 against 49% in 2004.
- Consequently, nearly half of Russian families now share responsibilities between husbands and wives: 43% in 2015 (compared to 24% in 2004).
- Just like in 2004, in 7% of households it is the grandparents that take care of home duties in 2015.
It’s worth noting that because Russians marry early, young families often live together with the wife’s or husband’s parents. This explains why in many households grandparents continue to carry the load of homemaking: It is their house, after all.
Conclusions
The scientists of Romir conclude that in general the family dynamics in Russia remained the same as 10 years ago.
The trend for sharing of responsibilities in families is most likely due to the fact that more Russian women are now working full time. It could be also that men now have more spare time to help wives around the house.
Methodology
1500 people aged from 18 to 60 and older were interviewed in July 2015. The selection included residents of cities and regional towns from all federal regions.
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The article is spot on. Agree with all of that. Although, I’m surprised only 9% of people think 1 child is enough, considering how many people I know that have one child or them selves the only child in the family.
Max, You are right. In actuality, the total fertility rate (births per woman) is growing in Russia and currently is (according to various sources) 1.6-1.7 kids per woman. I think the reason is that Russians marry so early and divorce is very easy to obtain, which adds to unstable marriages. I am also surprised by the number of people who consider living together before marriage unacceptable. This probably also contributes to the high rate of failure in marriages. To compare, there are 1.9 children per female in the USA, UK, or Australia. Whatever people think, the facts are the facts,… Read more »
I would be curious to know if Russian mothers would have expectations upon discipline of children as well. While the tradition in the US had been that discipline had been the duty of the father, it would seem that this has changed in many of the younger family households that I have visited in recent years. Perhaps fathers here have become less comfortable playing the role of “bad cop” all the time, and mothers don’t use the “just you wait til Daddy gets home” line as much.
Is there a social norm on what Russian mothers expect regarding child discipline?
Johnny,
In Russia there is no such tradition that discipline is the duty of the father. Mothers take charge. Fathers in Russia used to be rather absent from children’s life (as from the general homemaking duties), but the new generation is much more involved as you can see. Definitely fathers are not set in the role of a disciplinarian, but if the father is out with kids, of course he is expected to make them behave, and not abdicate the responsiblity.
I used to read about it before, now i’m the insider. Me and my girlfriend cohabitated and it was our own world. We got officially married since she was expecting. It’s common here. Then it was decided to move to her parent’s place as she needed help. Now her mom is everywhere after the baby and her daughter as well. Seems like we’re gona stay there forever. It’s enjoyed by everyone but me. And yes, 3 children are rather common here. As for me i can’t wait to move to our own home at first. This tradion is no good… Read more »
I have been on a couple of dating sites, so I am not a newbie or ignorant. I have also taken a more focusd interest in what I want and who I want to meet. That being said, your site is very professional…to the point where every picture looks staged, every woman uses the same exact language to describe themselves, and such. I read a review from someone who met their eventual wife but they said this site is so full of fake profiles you have to get really lucky to even have someone say hello. That is disappointing and… Read more »
Mike, Really? 🙂 🙂 🙂 Show me the profiles please. We have 25-40 new women’s profiles approved every day, and no 2 profiles are alike. Each of them is individual. I think you are either a competitor trying to make it sound bad, or simply didn’t even read the profiles. Go right now and read profiles of women who are online. If 2 profiles are the same, include the links here. Facts, not rumors – this is what we stand for. P.S. Regarding fasts: 1. You have never been a paid member of Elena’s Models, and never had any ability… Read more »
I appreciate your rebuttal to Mike. I have talked (phone and Skype) to a number of women on your sight. They all were sincere and a bit embarrassed to be on a dating site. Almost all the profiles are different and one girl who I suspected was after money was deleted for bad behavior before I could even rsend you a question. I have friends who tried other sites and now they are using elenasmodels. I am expecting to come to Ukraine shortly. This is a great site and I appreciate your efforts. From talking to some of the women,… Read more »
Hey Elena,
I was wondering how you believe Eastern-European women will change the next 10 years
Will they be completely westernized(meaning mostly not family-oriëntated, not taking care of their appearance, feminist,…)
And will they still be interested in Western-European men?
Hans,
With Russian administration openly taking course towards “pastoral values”, it’s unlikely. If Russian men keep drinking, smoking, and fighting, there will be fewer men than women, as it is now. Russia is finding itself increasingly isolated economically, due to its political moves.
I don’t see how this may change.