New Trends in Family Formation in Russia and Responses of Social Policy

During last decade the demographic behavior of Russian population has drastically changed, noticeable changes occurred in timing of marriage and fertility, in preferences of young generations in their living arrangements. The paper gives a view of current transformation in nuptiality and fertility trends and its factors. We reveal new attitudes towards sexual relationships, changes in a family planning model. Young age at marriage was a specific feature of nuptiality pattern in Russia in the early 90s, fertility in the age group 15-19 was comparable with indicator for the 30-34 age group and exceeded that of the 35-39 age groups. By the threshold of the new century, the marriage rate at young ages declined considerably. Approximately 40% of births in the youngest age groups occur out of wedlock. The latter indicates the social significance of this phenomenon and arouses series of problems to be solved by means of social policy. The matrimonial and reproductive behavior of a new generation currently taking place in Russia is a concern of demographers, sociologists, politicians and government institutions. A special attention in the paper is given to the current measures of social policy in the analyzed sphere.