The ethnocultural diversity of the Southern Russian region: the factor of expansion or containment of gender representations

The article substantiates the hypothesis of the correlation between the formation of gender and nation, which together comprise a single ethnogender composition. In specific situations of economic, political and sociocultural contexts this composition creates a certain ethnogender mode. This mode sets the boundaries of permissible and possible gender representations. The authors analyze the ethnogender modes of large and small nations, and nationalities. The attention is focused on the analysis of the problem within the South of Russia as one of the most ethnically diverse regions, home to about 100 different nations, nationalities and ethnic groups. Obviously, each ethno-national community has its own cultural identity, traditions and ancestral rites, the national language and peculiarities of the sociohistorical past. The dominance of Russian ethnicity and Orthodox faiths is obvious throughout the whole territory of Russia. The titular nation of the southern Russian region is characterized by liberal ethnogender regime that is loyal to the manifestations of gender representations. The totality of small ethnic groups and peoples inhabiting the South of Russia supports the traditionalist ethnogender mode, seeking to veto the gender representation. The ethnogender regimes were studied at three levels: family, region and social groups. The authors conclude that the ethnocultural diversity of the Southern Russian region is both a factor of extension and a factor of deterrent of the gender representations spread, which, however, does not mean the transition to universal gender-unification, but supports the identity of ethnic groups and peoples inhabiting it, and helps them to adapt to the difficult contemporary situation.