Russians are divided over the issue of fines for promoting the “ideology of childlessness,” a new survey by the state-owned Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) has shown.
The findings of the survey, which samples the opinions of 1,600 randomly selected Russian nationals, were published on Monday. They show that around 48% of the respondents oppose the idea of fines for childfree propaganda, while 44% back the initiative.
The poll also revealed a stark difference in views between young people and older generations. Zoomers “quite decisively” reject the measure (78% against, 17% for), which is also characteristic of younger millennials (66% against, 30% for), according to the report.
Opinions are divided among older millennials (46% for, 45% against) and those aged 78-85, the ‘thaw generation’ (45% and 44% respectively). Meanwhile, the ‘reform generation’ (ages 43-56) and ‘stagnation generation’ (ages 47-57) more often agree with the idea of imposing fines for spreading childfree ideology (49/52% respectively) than disagree (38/42% respectively).
“In all likelihood, with age, people become more committed to traditional family values, which explains the growth of support for fines among older generations,” the researchers wrote, noting that young people without parenthood experience “are more focused on their personal development and perceive punishment for promoting childfree ideas as a restriction of freedom of choice.”
The survey also shows that 41% believe the introduction of fines will neither benefit nor harm society.
“Consequently, there is every reason to believe that the introduction of fines won’t be met with broad public support, since a significant proportion of Russians (66%) doubt the effectiveness and appropriateness of such measures,” the VCIOM researchers wrote.
The bill banning “propaganda of the ideology of childlessness” was introduced in the State Duma in September, as part of efforts to protect traditional values. Last week, it was passed by the lower house in its first reading.
The legislation will introduce administrative fines for spreading “child-free ideology” of up to 400,000 rubles ($4,100) for individuals, up to 800,000 rubles ($8,200) for officials, and up to 5 million rubles ($51,000) for entities which promote these ideas, according to State Duma Chair Vyacheslav Volodin.
To become law, it must pass two more readings in the lower house, gain approval in the upper house, and be signed by the president.