Parenting During the Student Period: the Possibilities of Combining Life Strategies

The demographic challenges that Russia is facing today require more and more new measures aimed at increasing the birth rate. In the context of an increase in the age of first childbearing, modern youth have stable ideas that the age of 18-24 is not “suitable” for childbearing. The authors’ review of existing and proposed measures to support student families suggests the active development of this area. The key areas of implemented and planned support are highlighted: assistance to student families in solving housing issues; financial support for student parents; organizational measures aimed at combining parental and educational responsibilities. Our analysis focused on the problem of creating the necessary conditions for the implementation of the parental life strategy by young people during their student years. The aim of the study was to develop potential tools to minimize the difficulties of parenthood that arise during parental leave for student families. To achieve this goal, two tasks were set: to identify the totality of difficulties and contradictions experienced by parents during parental leave, and to develop proposals based on the results obtained aimed at increasing the birth rate of students during their higher education. The research method was semi-formalized interviews with 40 parents whose families use the right to parental leave. According to the results of the analysis, two levels of complexity have been identified: institutional (difficulties related to government regulation, infrastructure, labor market) and personal (social attitudes, relationships with the environment, health status). For student parents, the situation during parental leave is even more difficult, and support is more in demand. Based on this, recommendations have been developed that are aimed at mitigating the difficulties of student families on parental leave and can be implemented in the Russian higher education system.