Perceptions of employer family support and reproductive intentions among university students: the search for a relationship
Research Article
Acknowledgments
This work is supported by the Russian Science Foundation, project 24-18-00854, https://rscf.ru/en/project/24-18-00854/
How to Cite
Bagirova A.P., Sokolova E.Y. Perceptions of employer family support and reproductive intentions among university students: the search for a relationship. Science. Culture. Society. 2025. Vol. 31. No. 3. P. 110-125. DOI: https://doi.org/10.19181/nko.2025.31.3.8 (in Russ.).
Abstract
This study examines university students’ reproductive intentions and their relationship with perceptions of employer family support policies. Its relevance stems from current demographic challenges such as declining birth rates and population aging, along with the need to implement state initiatives aimed at supporting families. Students are considered a key group whose reproductive decisions will determine future demographic trends over the next few decades. Based on sociological survey data (2024; Northwestern, Siberian, and Ural Federal Districts; n=2550), it was found that 16% of students plan to have three or more children, while expecting employers to provide comprehensive family support measures. A statistically significant association was found between reproductive intentions and demand for employer-provided family support. Two possible explanations for this relationship are proposed: traditional (corporate support as a condition for realizing existing intentions — i.e., having the number of children they plan for) and innovative (employer measures as a factor that may shift intentions toward larger family sizes). The findings emphasize the need to enhance young people’s awareness of employer family support initiatives through educational campaigns, institutionalization of corporate social responsibility ratings, and fostering collaboration among government, universities and employers. This research contributes to the development of demographic policies aimed at bridging the gap between reproductive intentions and the opportunities to realize them.
Keywords:
reproductive intentions, corporate demographic policies, student youth, multichild families, corporate social responsibility
References
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2. Rostovskayа T. K., Kuchmaeva O. V., Solovyeva N. A. [et al.]. Reproductive potential of young families: results of a sociological study. Zhenshchina v rossiĭskom obshchestve. 2024;(4):35–50. (In Russ.). DOI 10.21064/WinRS.2024.4.3.
3. Bagirova A. P., Neshataev A. V., Vavilova A. S. [et al.]. Parenting during the student period: the possibilities of combining life strategies. Higher Education in Russia. 2024;33(7):32–49. (In Russ.). DOI 10.31992/0869-3617-2024-33-7-32-49.
4. Rostovskaya T. K., Pachin A. V. Student family as a key area of the new national project “Family”. DEMIS. Demographic Research. 2025;5(1):152–166. (In Russ.). DOI 10.19181/demis.2025.5.1.9.
5. Vilkova K. A., Gruzdev I. A., Shmeleva E. D. [et al.]. What we know about student families: a sociological analysis. Higher Education in Russia. 2024;33(7):67–83. (In Russ.). DOI 10.31992/0869-3617-2024-33-7-67-83.
6. Rostovskaya T. K., Vasilieva E. N., Nikolskiy V. S. The conditions of functioning of the student family in modern russia: the main problems and resources of well-being. Higher Education in Russia. 2024;33(7):15–31. (In Russ.). DOI 10.31992/0869-3617-2024-33-7-15-31.
7. Zubok Yu. A., Chuprov V. I. Youth life strategies: implementation of expectations and social moods. Monitoring of Public Opinion: Economic and Social Changes. 2020;(3):13–41. (In Russ.). DOI 10.14515/monitoring.2020.3.1602.
8. Zhuravleva E. K., Koptseva O. A. Supporting points of large families in the transformation of modern family. Population. 2024;27(S1):28–37. (In Russ.). DOI 10.24412/1561-7785-2024-S1-28-37.
9. Bannykh G. A., Zaitseva E. V., Kostina S. N. [et al.]. The phenomenon of large families in Russia: a sociological analysis of changes. Management Issues. 2019;(1): 22–36. (In Russ.). DOI 10.22394/2304-3369-2019-1-22-36.
10. Vavilova A. S., Yas R. A. Role of corporate demographic policy in solving fertility problems: Siberian University case study. Human Progress. 2024;10(2):1–14. (In Russ.). DOI 10.34709/IM.1102.2.
11. Bagirova A. P., Neshataev A. V. The potential influence of Russian employers on regional demographic trends. AlterEconomics. 2024;21(2):268–285. (In Russ.). DOI 10.31063/AlterEconomics/2024.21-2.6.
12. Shubat O. M., Bagirova A. P., Yan D. Corporate family-friendly policies: the possibility of implementation in Russian regions. Economy of regions. 2022;18(4):1121–1134. (In Russ.). DOI 10.17059/ekon.reg.2022-4-11.
13. Rozhkova K. V., Roshchin S. Yu., Travkin P. V. From combining study and work to combining work and study? The changing model of Russian higher education. Educational Studies Moscow. 2024;(2):286–322. (In Russ.). DOI 10.17323/vo-2024-17242.
14. Maleva T. M., Sinyavskaya O. V. Social and economic factors of fertility in Russia: empirical results and challenges for social policy. SPERO. Social Policy: Expertise. Recommendations. Reviews. 2006;(5):70–98. (In Russ.).
15. Blagorozheva Zh. O. Shapovalova I. S. The influence of alternative values and attitudes on the matrimonial strategies of youth. Social Policy and Sociology. 2024;23(2):30–39. (In Russ.) DOI 10.17922/2071-3665-2024-23-2-30-39.
16. Blednova N. D. Corporate demographic policy measures as a factor in reducing conflict between family and work. In: Vishnevsky Y. R., Pevnaya M. V. (eds.). XXIII Ural Sociological Readings. Personality, culture, society: the legacy of L. N. Kogan and modernity: Proceedings of the All-Russian Scientific and Practical Conference (Yekaterinburg, March 17-18, 2023). Yekaterinburg: UrFU; 2023. P. 128–132. (In Russ.).
17. Bagirova A. P., Kolchinskaya V. Yu., Sokolova E. Yu. [et al.]. New opportunities for involving universities in the demographic agenda: a regional case. Higher Education in Russia. 2025;34(4):80–100. (In Russ.). DOI 10.31992/0869-3617-2025-34-4-80-100.
Article
Received: 20.05.2025
Accepted: 29.09.2025
Citation Formats
Other cite formats:
APA
Bagirova, A. P., & Sokolova, E. Y. (2025). Perceptions of employer family support and reproductive intentions among university students: the search for a relationship. Science. Culture. Society, 31(3), 110-125. https://doi.org/10.19181/nko.2025.31.3.8
Section
Demographics and migration
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