Family is increasingly valued by Russians, but the relationships within the family are being quickly modernized, according to the latest data of VCIOM-Sputnik daily survey.

MOSCOW, July 7, 2017. The Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the data of a monitoring study devoted to the Day of Family, Love and loyalty.

Public opinion on headship in the family has dramatically changes over a decade: authoritarian approach is displaced by democratic attitude. In 2005, two viewpoints were common: on the one hand, headship was considered to be dependent on age – 38% of Russians considered the eldest man as the head of family, if any, or a woman; on the other hand, respondents said that no one should be placed above other family members (all important questions should be discussed together) – 35%. In 2017, the number of adherents of the latter viewpoint has almost doubled (60%); on the contrary the number of adherents of the former position has decreased (20%).

The viewpoints bear no relation to practice: 62% of married respondents (married or cohabiting) say they have no single leader who takes decision in their families. However, the position of man is still strong:  29% recognize that husband is head in their families (34% among male respondents; 61% of those who think that the eldest man should be head of the family 61%); only 7% mention wife (12% among women).

The survey findings show that family life of Russians keeps improving: married or cohabiting persons are comfortable with its various aspects much more than it was five or ten years ago. Thus, almost all respondents who have families are satisfied with their relationship with the spouse (96%, including 80% of those who are completely satisfied), the way the decisions are taken in their families (96%), how they manage family income (95%) and distribute household tasks (94%). An overwhelming majority of Russians are happy with their family life (94%), however the share of purely positive assessments is 69%, whereas 25% say they are “rather satisfied”.

The only thing that might threaten family is finance: well-being related questions are at the end of the rating; however most of respondents (54%) are still quite satisfied with this aspect of family life.  

Remarkably, family remains to be a strong support for Russians: about three-quarters of respondents (74% in 2009 and 78% in 2017) feel supported when going through a tough time, but certain respondents would like to have more support (12% in 2017). Fifteen percent say that they are likely to provide support to others than than to get support from them.

The VCIOM-Sputnik Russian nationwide survey was conducted on July 1-3, 2017. The survey involved 1,800 Russians aged 18 and over, and was carried out using stratified dual-frame random sample based on a complete list of landline and mobile phone numbers operating in Russia. The data were weighted according to selection probability and social and demographic characteristics. The margin of error at a 95% confidence level does not exceed 2.5%. In addition to sampling error, minor changes in question wording and different circumstances arising during the fieldwork can introduce bias into the survey.

Results for the 2005-2009 studies are based on household survey.

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