Over a year more Russians have supported the Dima Yakovlev bill.
MOSCOW, February 4, 2014. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the data concerning how well Russians are aware of the Dima Yakovlev bill; and how they assess the effect of this law.
Most of Russians are aware of the adoption of the Dima Yakovlev bill banning American citizens from adopting Russian orphans (78% in 2014 vs. 85% in 2013). Generally, the awareness of Russians about this law has decreased: the share of respondents who are well aware of the bill has reduced a year after the bill was adopted (from 38% to 23%). On the contrary, the number of those who have superficial knowledge about this paper has increased (from 47% to 55%). Those who are most informed are respondents aged 45-59 (82%), and persons with high level of education (83%). Every fifth Russian (21%) first heard about the bill.
Today the Dima Yakovlev bill gets more approvals from Russians than a year ago (64% in 2014 vs. 54% in 2013). Only one-fifth respondent (20%) does not support this document. Metropolitan residents (34%) and supporters of non-parliament parties (26%) have negative attitudes.
According to half of Russians (52%), the ban on adoption of Russian children by American citizens has done more good than bad to our country; they prove their stance by stating that Americans mock at Russian children (27%), and that Russian children should stay in Russia (26%). Nineteen percent of respondents are confident that it is not safe for Russian children to live in the United States. Those who cite the positive effects of the document are persons aged 60 and over (57%) and residents of middle cities (58%). Only 17% of respondents report that the law had negative effects on the situation of orphans in Russia; they say that the main reason behind the adoption permission is better living conditions (30%). Those who oppose the law also say that children need a full family (22%), and ill children need a chance to be adopted (14%). One-third of respondents (31%) have not decided yet.
The VCIOM opinion poll was conducted on January 25-26, 2014. 1600 respondents were interviewed in 130 communities in 42 regions of Russia. The margin of error does not exceed 3.4%.
Do you know/have you heard/ do you first hear about the so called Dima Yakovlev bill banning Americans form adopting Russian orphans? (close-ended question, one answer) | ||
| 2013 | 2014 |
Yes, I am well aware | 38 | 23 |
I heard something but I do not know details | 47 | 55 |
I hear about that for the first time | 14 | 21 |
Don`t know | 1 | 1 |
Do you approve of the adoption of this law? (close-ended question, one answer) | ||
| 2013 | 2014 |
Rather approve | 54 | 64 |
Rather disapprove | 21 | 20 |
Don`t know | 25 | 16 |
In your opinion, has the adoption of this had positive or negative effects on Russian orphans? (close-ended question, one answer) | ||||||
| Total respondents | Aged 18-24 | Aged 25-34 | Aged 35-44 | Aged 45-59 | Aged 60 and over |
Rather good | 52 | 44 | 51 | 54 | 51 | 57 |
Rather bad | 17 | 19 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 14 |
Don`t know | 31 | 37 | 34 | 29 | 31 | 29 |
If you think that this law has caused more good/bad to the orphans, can you tell us why? (open-ended question, several answers possible) | |||
The law is good because … | The law is bad because … | ||
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Americans mock at our children | 27 | They have better living conditions there | 30 |
Our children should live in Russia | 26 | Children will have no chance to find a family | 22 |
We will defend our children; we will save their lives; they feel safe here | 19 | They adopt ill children | 14 |
Children will be adopted by Russians | 8 | Violence is everywhere; every family should be checked up | 14 |
More opportunities to have control over the adopted children | 7 | We have many orphans; Russians rarely adopt children | 8 |
Other | 3 | This is all about political games; no one cares about children | 2 |
Don`t know | 11 | Other | 2 |
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| Don`t know | 13 |
Note: Using materials from the site www.wciom.ru or wciom.com, as well as distributed by VCIOM, the reference to the source (or hyperlink for the electronic media) is obligatory!