Russia wants to ban the spread of childless ideology

Many young men in Russia have to join the army to fight in Ukraine - Photo: REUTERS

According to AFP news agency, on September 24, Russian parliamentarians asked the government to issue a ban on encouraging a childless lifestyle.

This is seen as Moscow's latest move targeting what it sees as a liberal ideology that is at odds with Russia's conservative values.

Faced with an aging population and falling birth rates, Moscow is scrambling to find ways to reverse a demographic decline that has been exacerbated by the military incursion into Ukraine and could threaten the country’s economy in the future.

“We have begun considering a bill that would prohibit the propaganda of deliberate refusal to have children,” State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Viktorovich Volodin said on social media.

The measures would be tantamount to “a ban on childlessness and the childless movement,” he added.

The proposed law would apply to online content, media, advertising and film.

Individuals could face fines of about 400,000 rubles ($4,300) and businesses up to 5 million rubles ($54,000) for violations, Volodin said.

“A large and close family will be the foundation of a strong nation,” he added.

The Kremlin's move last week appeared to suggest the bill was gaining support.

“We are obliged to increase the birth rate in the country. Any action that would hinder this goal must disappear from our lives,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on September 20 after being asked about the bill.

In the first six months of 2024, Russia recorded a birth rate that hit rock bottom, the lowest in the past 25 years.

In addition, Russia is facing a population decline as hundreds of thousands of young men have been called up to fight in Ukraine or left the country to avoid being drafted.

While some Russians feel that the proposed bill is unnecessary and that the government should focus on more pressing national issues, many others support the measures.

“I am in favor of banning such things. Let people get married and have children. This is the most important thing in life,” said Russian businessman Abdullah Shamkhalov.

In an effort to boost the birth rate, Russian President Vladimir Putin has also revived the tradition of awarding medals to parents who have many children, who also enjoy tax and social benefits.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/nga-muon-cam-truyen-ba-tu-tuong-khong-sinh-con-20240925131024533.htm