Traditional and new patterns of today's urban youth demographic behavior

The article analyzes specific features of the Russian urban youth demographic behavior.. The empirical base of the study is the data of the representative public opinion poll of the Russian city dwellers aged 18-35 that was conducted in 2019. The levels of reproduction of the traditional patterns and the scale of the spread of new demographic orientations are revealed in the course of the study. It is shown that the mechanisms of postponed marriage and childbirth are taking place in the sphere of young people demographic behavior. The majority of young men are married or plan to be married in future, but even in the age cohort of32-35 around a quarter of respondents are not married and do not have permanent partner. Young marriages are giving way to the tradition of creating family after 25-30 years old that is also preceded by cohabitation without marriage. The optimal age for getting married is being put off and this is particularly characteristic of men. More educated representatives of urban youth are clearly orientated at the model in which the major part is taken by development of educational potential and making career, and creation of family is temporarily postponed. Childbirth remains the unconditional value of Russian youth, however refusal from early reproductive orientations also becomes social norm. The strategy "childfree" becomes actual in the youngest age cohort at the level of 18% and significantly loses its rates to 6-7% when it is getting closer to the age of 30. Mass groups orientated at gender egalitarianism in family relations are clearly distinguished among modern urban youth: the proposed typology shows that around 40% of respondents are characterized by a low level of egalitarianism, and 15% - by the most egalitarian attitudes. In general, the spread of new demographic patterns goes on gradually, while individualistic motivations are combined with preservation of the value of family and childbirth.