MATERNITY CAPITAL AS AN OBJECT OF WOMEN'S PUBLIC OPINION

ABSTRACT

In modern Russia, the issue of supporting families with children is acute. One of the key measures of state assistance is the maternity capital program, introduced by Federal Law No. 256-FZ of December 29, 2006. This program is aimed at financially stimulating families, improving housing conditions and the demographic situation. Despite the uniqueness and duration of the program, its effectiveness is controversial among researchers and society. Demographic challenges persist, which underscores the need to analyze the impact of maternity capital on the opinion of women — the main beneficiaries — and on the behavior of families. The study of statistics and opinion polls allows us to better understand the role of the program and determine its impact on the demographic policy of the country.

Keywords: family, assistance, maternity capital, government, women's opinion, program effectiveness.

Maternity capital is an important form of state support for Russian families where children are raised. The program has been implemented since 2007 and is aimed at providing financial assistance for the birth or adoption of a second or subsequent child with Russian citizenship. At the same time, the key condition is that parents do not have a previously used right to similar state support.

The main task of maternity capital is to develop effective measures to help families with children, which includes improving the payment system and increasing the amount of various benefits. Such support is intended not only to ease the financial burden of families, but also to help improve the demographic situation in the country.

The introduction of the maternity capital program has had a significant positive impact on Russia's demographic indicators. In modern conditions, the demographic crisis is becoming one of the acute social and economic problems, which directly affects the sustainable development of the state and its welfare. The increase in the birth rate due to the financial support of families with children contributes to strengthening the socio-cultural and economic potential of the country.

To get a complete picture of this program, a survey was conducted among 120 Belgorod women aged 25 to 45 years. It is this age group that corresponds to the period of family formation and active parenting, for which the maternity capital program is of particular importance.

The results showed that 65% of the survey participants are well aware of measures to support families with children, 24% have a general idea, and 11% said they were not aware of such measures.

It is important to note that the vast majority of respondents — 98% — have a maternity certificate. As for the use of maternity capital, 67 women used it for the purchase or reconstruction of housing, 41 — for tuition fees, 32 — for benefits, 23 — for medical treatment, and 15 respondents saved funds for future retirement.

The conditions of use of funds do not cover all family needs and cause difficulties, which is confirmed by the answers in the areas of spending (mainly on improving housing conditions) and emerging problems. This indicates that the program needs to be improved. (see diagram 1)

Diagram 1. Distribution of responses to the question: "What difficulties did you encounter when disposing of funds?"

The program receives a positive response: 72 respondents consider it effective in financial support, 63 agree that maternity capital solves the financial problems of the family.

53% of respondents rate maternity capital as an effective tool for stimulating fertility. When evaluating the effectiveness of the program, 44 people responded "moderately", 63 positively (see Diagram 2).

Diagram 2. Distribution of responses to the question: «How do you assess the effectiveness of the implementation of maternity capital?»

It can be concluded that the data collected indicates the active use of this support measure to improve the living conditions and well-being of families, but there are also difficulties in the disposal of funds.

Thus, maternity capital acts not only as an instrument of state social policy, but also as a key factor contributing to the improvement of the demographic situation and the well-being of Russian families. Thanks to the constant work on improving the effectiveness of the program, it is possible to further strengthen the institution of the family and ensure the stable development of society as a whole.

References:

1. Bashkin M.V. The influence of maternity capital on the demographic situation in Russia / M.V. Bashkin– Text : direct // Online magazine "Naukovedenie". – 2024. – №2.
2. Zdravomyslova E.A. How to manage maternity capital or citizens in family policy / E.A. Zdravomyslova – Text : direct // Sociological research.  2012. No. 7. pp. 108-118.
3. Markov S.N. Maternity capital: essence, mechanism, problems and prospects of development / S.N. Markov – Text : direct // Questions of student science. – 2019. – No. 8. – pp. 77-88.