Over a quarter of a century the share of Russians who prefer staying alone has increased. Marriage is increasingly considered as a material and sexual partnership.
MOSCOW, April 4, 2015. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the results of the survey describing what motivates Russians to marry, the negative aspects about getting married, whether there is any need to build a family nowadays.
Why do people enter into marriage? Over the recent twenty-five years the attitudes of Russians towards this question has almost stayed the same. Most of them are confident that family is necessary to continue the human race: 56% said so in 1989, 60% - in 2015. According to 43% of respondents, people get married to be with someone who could help them in any situation.
Every third Russian thinks it is important to take care of someone (36%), never to part with the beloved one (31%). Twenty-eight percent of Russians are confident that you never feel alone if you live with someone. Thirty-eight percent believe that arranging your living is a good reason to marry: over a quarter of a century this share has considerably increased (from 25% in 1989).
One-quarter of respondents (23%) say that building a family is a moral duty of any person. For seventeen percent of Russians marriage is an old tradition or social prescription (6% in 1989). Having permanent sexual partner is more and more important for Russians (20% in 2014 vs. 6% in 1989).
Why does marriage make life complicated? One-fifth of respondents (22%) cite that household tasks are a big obstacle; at the same time, the number of respondents who agree with this statement has decreased two-fold (from 40%). Besides, Russians also think that married people have too many concerns such as well-being of a family 22% (42% in 1989) and a sense of responsibility for the life of the loved one (19%).
Every sixth (16%) believes that the monotony may have negative impact on marriage. Others say that family restricts personal freedom (18%) and impedes career development (10%). People are also afraid of conflicts and infidelity (10%), troubles and pain related to children (8%). Finally, 3% are confident that preserving love living a family life is impossible.
However, despite all the disadvantages of being married, most of Russians are still confident that it is better to have a spouse; though the share of respondents who have the same point of view has slightly decreased (from 89% in 1989 to 79% in 2014). Only 12% say that today it is better not to enter into marriage (20% of residents of middle cities; 17% of the 18-24-year-olds).
The VCIOM opinion poll was conducted December 6-7 14-15, 2015. 1600 respondents were interviewed in 132 communities in 46 regions of Russia. The margin of error does not exceed 3.5%.
What are the reasons why people get married and start a family? (closed-ended question, any number of answers) | ||
| 1989* | 2014 |
To make children, to continue human race | 56 | 60 |
To have someone who will understand you and support in any situation | 42 | 43 |
To have a cozy house and comfortable living | 25 | 38 |
To feel that someone needs you, to have opportunity to take care of someone | 36 | 36 |
Not to part with your beloved one | 20 | 31 |
Not to stay alone | 26 | 28 |
To have family and children is a moral duty of everyone | 25 | 23 |
To have permanent sexual partner | 6 | 20 |
Everyone acts like this but not everyone manages to create a good family | 6 | 17 |
Other | - | 1 |
Don`t know | 2 | 2 |
* In 1989, the representative all-Russia sample included urban and rural population aged over 16; sample size was 1474 respondents.
What is the negative side of living a family life? (closed-ended question, any number of answers) | ||
| 1989* | 2014 |
Too much attention is paid to household activities (pots and pans, nappies, shopping et cet.) | 40 | 22 |
You need to work really hard to provide family`s well-being | 42 | 22 |
Family life imposes too much liability on the well-being of others | 15 | 19 |
Family restricts personal freedom | 21 | 18 |
Family life is too monotone: the same faces, the same duties | 17 | 16 |
Family life impedes professional development | 8 | 10 |
Lies, betrayal, conflicts are inevitable in a family | 13 | 10 |
Children cause too much concern and pain | 17 | 8 |
Preserving love is impossible in a marriage | 3 | 3 |
Other | 3 | 6 |
Don`t know | 17 | 28 |
What do most of people choose today: to get married and live a family life or not to get married and to live alone? (closed-ended question, one answer) | ||
| 1989 * | 2014 |
To marry and live a family life | 89 | 79 |
Not to marry; to live alone | 4 | 12 |
Don`t know | 7 | 9 |
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!