Reproductive Attitudes of Young Rural Women in the Republic of Tatarstan

Abstract

Introduction. The modern rural society suffers a demographic crisis due to a drop in the birth rate and a decrease in the total fertility rate. Young women of reproductive age play an important role in increasing the number of births in rural areas. The objective of the paper is to study the reproductive intentions and preferences of young rural women in the Republic of Tatarstan as well as to identify the reasons for birth postponement and the degree of influence of the state support measures. Materials and Methods. The results of a sociological survey conducted in the Republic of Tatarstan in 2018 were used as the materials for the study. Statistics were used for the calculation; the systematic and comparative methods of analysis were employed. Results. The study has revealed the sustainable subjective preferences of young rural women in the Republic of Tatarstan to have two or more children. It has also confirmed the heterogeneity of the reproductive attitudes in the rural community and identified the rural women’s reasons for birth postponement. Assessment of certain reserves of increasing the birth rate has been made. State support measures affecting fertility rates have been evaluated. Discussion and Conclusion. The increase in the birth rate in the Republic of Tatarstan largely depends on the quantitative and qualitative indicators such as the number of rural women of reproductive age as well as on the measures taken by the state to stimulate the birth rate and thereby increase the reproductive attitudes. The research materials will be useful for the heads of municipal districts, heads of governmental structures, scholars and helpful when devising federal and regional demographic and family development strategies as well as when implementing the Demography national project.