– Our lives are changing in all their perspectives and manifestations, including the areas of scientific interest. In this regard, there is a great need for us to meet as often as possible with leading scholars in their fields, to exchange our views on the current situation, the challenges our society is facing, and their consequences. The global system is undergoing very rapid change, not always for the better, but nevertheless, life must go on, – said Tatyana Morozova, Director of the Institute of Economics KarRC RAS, in her welcoming address.
Research Director of the Statistics and Econometrics Department at St. Petersburg State University of Economics, RAS Corr. Fellow Irina Eliseeva, gave a talk titled "The Evolution of the Russian Family". She noted that the modern family is the outcome of centuries of evolution, and the family continues to change. These changes are driven by social transformations on the one hand, and are determined by intrinsic developmental patterns on the other. In particular, the family is changing due to shifts in gender roles, in relationships between parents and children and between men and women.
– The attempts to impose on the modern society the idea of returning to a multi-generational and multi-child family is based on a mythological, idealistic notion of such a family type. In reality, women in those families were under oppression, and the 'traditional' large families experienced high child mortality rates, – the scholar said.
Today, on the one hand, statisticians record an increase in the number of single men and women, a rise in divorces, a decline in birth rates, and an increase in the number of single-parent families. On the other hand, people are free to pursue their individual lifestyles. Overall, according to Irina Eliseeva, there is both continuity and change. The traditional family still holds its ground. This refers to the child-centered and nuclear family, with full rapport between the spouses. Surveys among young people confirm the importance of marriage, which is based on spousal closeness.
When asked what is specific about the Russian family, the RAS Corresponding Fellow replied: "It’s the preservation of close intergenerational ties". Surveys, including those conducted in Karelia, show that the senior generation gladly accepts help from the younger generation, enjoys communication and support, but at the same time values the autonomy of their own space and seeks to both stay independent financially and to live separately.
Importantly, such relationships between people – solidarity and nearness between generations, remaining tightknit – were not imposed but inherent and characteristic of a majority of Russian families, – emphasized Irina Eliseeva.
Roundtable participants at the Institute of Economics KarRC RAS
Margarita Zamyatina, Chief Researcher at the Laboratory for Integrated Study of Social and Ecological-Economic Development of Regions of the RAS Institute for Regional Economic Studies, highlighted the role of the environmental and climatic factor in human capital preservation and development.
Scientists note the negative impact of environmental and climatic factors on human health. According to the Agency for Strategic Initiatives, the impact of the environment on human health in Russia currently accounts for 25 to 50% of the total impact of all factors. Topical issues include the pollution of air, drinking water, soil, and others. The health risks of climate change are growing. It is predicted that over the next 30–40 years, the contribution of the environmental effects to citizens' wellness may rise to 50–70%.
Discussing the measures required, Margarita Zamyatina stressed that the environmental well-being issue should be considered through the lens of solving economic problems, particularly in industry, transport, and other sectors.
– Technological, managerial, and regulatory solutions taken to achieve the national goal of environmental well-being are becoming increasingly important. New mechanisms for raising private funds from businesses and the public, as well as projects to maintain environmental well-being, are also essential. Another momentous factor is the sustainable development of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation, – the scientist concluded.
The presentation by Yulia Lavrikova, Director of the Institute of Economics, RAS Ural Branch, focused on the actualization of the socio-economic and spatial potential of Russia's regions through the development of pivotal settlements.
The Doctor of Economics remarked that specialists in regional research are currently interested in the implementation of the spatial development strategy and the new mechanism for creating ‘pivotal’ settlements. It is associated with a number of challenges, including a lack of federal standards for social security provisions in pivotal settlements and insufficient interdepartmental coordination in the implementation of infrastructural projects.
Discussion of the theoretical and practical aspects of the socio-economic development of territories will continue at the 14th All-Russian Conference dedicated to K. I. Arsenyev "Questions of Economic Geography and Spatial Development Statistics" to be held in Petrozavodsk. The conference is traditionally organized by the Institute of Economics KarRC RAS every two years. This year, the conference dates are October 22–23.
Photos: Anastasiia Bykova / Institute of Economics KarRC RAS
