ВЗАИМОПОМОЩЬ ПОКОЛЕНИЙ В ГОРОДСКИХ СЕМЬЯХ
MUTUAL ASSISTANCE OF GENERATIONS IN URBAN FAMILIES

Summary/Abstract: In the context of the ongoing nuclearization and diversification of the family institution, the mobility of family members, the intensification of educational and professional activity not only of men, but also of women, and the increase in life expectancy, family inter-generational ties are now becoming more significant. One of the indicators of such family ties can be the help that adult children provide to their parents, and the care of grandparents for grandchildren. Communication with grandchildren has a positive effect on the health of older people, working parents need help in caring for children, grandchildren have a different source of socialization, in contrast to their parents, and emotional support. The need for support of the older generation in caring for grandchildren increases at different stages of the life path of adult children, for single-parent families, minor parents, in situations before and after a divorce. The role of grandparents is irreplaceable in cases of deprivation of parental rights. The social and demographic factors influencing the participation of grandparents in caring for their grandchildren are analyzed. A review of foreign and Russian works made it possible to identify a number of subject areas for further research. First of all, the analysis of various aspects of the well-being of grandparents involved in caring for grandchildren, the impact of communication with grandparents on the development of children of different ages, intergenerational co-parenting and changing the content of the roles of grandparents in new social conditions GKS-KOUZH-2022. The following data from representative studies conducted by the Federal State Statistics Service were used as an empirical base: Comprehensive monitoring of living conditions (GKS-KOUZH)-2014, 2016, 2018, 2022, Selective observation of reproductive plans of the population during 2022 and 2010 and 2020 censuses. The object of analysis were citizens aged 60—79 years old, whose adult children live separately, children from 3 to 8 years old and primary school students and mothers aged 18—44 years old with minor children. No relationship has been established between the presence of regular or episodic assistance from separately living relatives in caring for children and the reproductive intentions of mothers with minor children. Further testing of the hypothesis about the impact of grand-parents’ help on the reproductive plans of adult children is needed. The positive dynamics of assistance to parents aged 60—79 years old of adult children living separately from 2014 to 2022 is shown. It was found that about half of men and women aged 60—79 years during 2011—2016 helped children living separately in the upbringing of their grandchildren. The help of grandparents in looking after their grandchildren, preschoolers and primary school children, did not decrease, at least in the period from 2016 to 2022. The results obtained indicate the cohesion of generations in urban Russian families living separately.

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