STUDENTS ABOUT FAMILY AND LARGE FAMILIES

The article is devoted to the study of the attitude of student youth to the institution of family and the value of having many children. This topic is relevant due to the ongoing demographic crisis: we observe an excess of mortality over birth rate, which has led to a natural popu­la­tion decline. The results of the questionnaire survey allowed us to state the uncertainty and instability of modern youth’s judgments about the values of family and having many child­ren. Ideas about state family policy and images of large families are formed by the media. Social determinants of the value of family and having many children include socio-­economic factors (housing and material problems) and socio-­psychological (individualistic motives). Most respondents believe that it is important to introduce additional benefits and preferences for large families, as well as to develop special support programs for single parents and expand the network of assistance and support centers for families with small children.