Lezhnina Yu.P. Towards a Society of Modern and Successful Families. In: Life Expectations of the People. Research Series on the Chinese Dream and China’s Development Path. ...

Abstract

Over the past 20 years, Russia has undergone a dramatic transformation that has affected, among other phenomena, relationships within families, changing many aspects thereof. For instance, there has been a significant shift in the age when Russians get married and start a family. The forms of marriage and parenthood have changed as well; nuclear families are becoming more spread out, for example.1 These changes mostly stem from processes that are typical to social and cultural2 modernization, such as greater emphasis on individual freedom and rationality, greater divergence of people’s life paths and lifestyles, and higher relevance of self-expression, etc. How do all these processes shape the modern Russian family? What does it take for Russians to consider their family life to be successful? What is their idea of a “dream family?”.