Semantic differential method in familistic research

The paper presents an overview of the experience of using the semantic differential method in familistic research, primarily based on the example of studying the need for children and reproductive attitudes. The effectiveness of the method for assessing the value orientations of respondents and their perceptions of family-child lifestyles is demonstrated. Based on the data from the SeDOZh-2019 survey, examples are provided that illustrate how this method helps overcome the effect of socially desirable responses by measuring the connotative meanings of concepts that characterize the respondent's deep emotional attitudes rather than their rational views on existing values. Using data from a paired survey of spouses within the same study, the results of the application of the semantic differential are presented to identify the degree of closeness of views among family members and to characterize the family semantic space. The heterogeneity of intra-family perceptions of family-child lifestyles is highlighted, within which there are two axes of spousal agreement: attitudes towards childfree lifestyles and their reproductive attitudes expressed in relation to families with one, two, and three children. These results demonstrate the potential for further development and use of the semantic differential in sociological research.