Family and Reproductive Strategies of Adolescents with Disabilities in Parents’ Assessments: the Potential of Demographic Security

Demographic security is one of the key national priorities, yet significant demographic threats persist, including a decline in the number of potential parents. In this context, it is important to expand the country’s demographic potential by including groups rarely considered as participants in population reproduction. One such group is adolescents with disabilities and health limitations, whose family and reproductive strategies remain insufficiently studied. The aim of this study is to examine these strategies through the views of parents. The empirical basis consists of survey data collected in 2025 from parents of adolescents with disabilities and health limitations (N=801) living in regions representing median values within the federal districts of the Russian Federation. The data were processed using quantitative analysis of univariate and bivariate distributions. The results show that most parents support their children’s independent adult life, family formation and childbirth. However, they assess family formation more positively than future parenthood. Parental expectations vary depending on the child’s health condition, existing limitations, independence, and inclusion in the social and educational environment. More cautious assessments are associated with pronounced daily-life limitations and lower educational inclusion. A significant proportion of parents find it difficult to assess reproductive plans, which may indicate insufficient discussion of marriage and parenthood within the family. The scientific novelty lies in analysing parental views in the context of assessing adolescents with disabilities as a potential resource for Russia’s demographic security. The practical significance is related to supporting families in preparing adolescents with disabilities for adult family and reproductive life.