Female University Students’ Views On Family And Parenthood: Cross-Country Analysis

Abstract

Perceptions of family and parenthood can be seen as a determinant of fertility and a society's socio-cultural state. Studying these across different countries is particularly topical amid growing migration.The paper presents the results of an international research project in which we studied ideas about family and parenthood of female university students from Russia, Austria and Kazakhstan. Data was collected in 2015.The results of our research showed that young women from different countries had similar views about the purpose of family in contemporary society. At the same time they had different assessments of the significance of family for the fulfilment of some functions. We obtained the image of a happy family in the students' minds. We found out that there were certain differences in the students' ideas about a happy family. We obtained the image of parenthood and identified its main aspects. We also saw differences in the female students' ideas about parenting.Differences in perceptions of family and parenthood are likely linked to differences in the types of parenting culture and the substance of future parental labour. Researching students' ideas about family and parenting enables assessing a country's demographic prospects. The implementation of education focused on reproductive intentions and behaviours could be an effective way to improve the demographic situation.

Parenting In International Educational Environment: An Authorial Typology Of The Concept

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The Typology Of Modern Students’ Family Self-Determination

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