MOSCOW, July 8, 2009. On the Day of Family, Love and Fidelity Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the data describing what aspects of family life Russians are satisfied most and what they think is necessary to build a strong family.

Family is based on love: 75% of Russians think so.   The second place is held by separate housing (55%); the third one is held by income level allowing children to live separately from their parents. Thirty-four percent of respondents draw their attention to harmonization of family and personal plans. This is followed by good relationship with partner's environment (13%), equal level of education, culture and social strata of both partners (11%), cohabitation experience (10%). Age similarity (7%) and shared sexual life experience (6%) are less important aspects of family life for Russians.

Over the recent years Russians have slightly changed their views about what is the most essential thing to build a family. The level of income allowing children to live separately from their parents seems less important for Russians (46% against 62% in 2005). On the contrary, Russians increasingly appreciate the meaning of love is (from 54% to 65%), harmonization of family and personal life plans (from 24% to 34%), good relationship with partner's environment (from 9% to 13%), cohabitation experience (from 6% to 10%).

Those respondents who do not have cohabitation experience tend to put attention to the level of income allowing them to live separately (52%). Cohabiting respondents appreciate love (71%), and separate housing (62%). Respondents who are legally married but not living together as well as divorced tend to mention good relationship with the partner`s environment and equal level of education, culture and social strata (15% and 17% respectively). Russians living separately but not divorced mention the meaning of harmonization of family and personal life plans (54%) and shared sexual life experience (15%).

The younger Russians are, the greater importance they attach to love (75% against 59% among respondents aged 60 and above), separate housing (61% against 49% respectively) and sufficient income for independent living (54% against 37% respectively). Respondents aged above 35 appreciate equal level of education, culture and social strata (12-14%). The elderly citizens tend to mention good relationships with partner`s environment (18%) и and age similarity (10%). 

Russians legally married or cohabiting are least satisfied with their financial state among all aspects of family life (only 47% of respondents are satisfied with that). Over the recent years the share of such respondents has increased by 8% (from 39%). The vast majority of Russians are satisfied with other aspects of family life: 94% are satisfied with the relationship with their partners; 92% - with how decisions are being made; 90% (for each group) are satisfied with relationship with relatives and distribution of responsibilities between partners; 89% are satisfied with their family life in general.

The initiative Russian opinion polls were conducted on July 4-5, 2009. 

1600 respondents were interviewed at 140 sampling points in 42 regions of Russia.

The margin of error does not exceed 3.4%.

Note: Using materials from the site www.wciom.ru or www.wciom.com, as well as distributed by VCIOM,

the reference to the source (or hyperlink for the electronic media) is obligatory!