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 the country sees as a liberal ideology that is at odds with Russia's conservative values.

Faced with an aging population and falling birthrate, Moscow is scrambling to find ways to reverse the demographic decline, exacerbated by the military incursion into Ukraine and likely to 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,” the Chairman of the State Duma, the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Vyacheslav Viktorovich Volodin, shared on social media.

These 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, Mr. 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 must increase the country’s birth rate. 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 the proposed bill is unnecessary and the government should focus on more pressing national issues, many others support the measures.

“I support 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