EDITOR’S INTRODUCTION

Each summer, especially such a hot one as we are now experiencing throughout Europe, becomes a real headache for many women (and men too). Where to send the children so they will be out of the city? How to find a possibility for relaxation themselves – some place that is comfortable and not so expensive? How to create a vacation for the whole family? The last is the hardest to fulfill. The time has passed when man and wife were not able to vacation at the same time, when the sign posted at the door of the resort sanatorium said “Dogs and children not allowed in.”

All this misunderstanding that spoiled life has receded into the Soviet past, along with the almost free-of-cost trade union vacation trips, the Pioneer camps accessible to all children, and the young tourist groups. Now, first and foremost, it is the family that has responsibility for the relaxation of the growing generation, indeed for everything concerning that generation. Such is the philosophy of present-day Russia, such is the direction of government policy. Probably there is some sense to this; for many years the upbringing role of the family was underestimated; the government tried to raise obedient kids, one like another, frequently ignoring the individuality of the child. But is the contemporary family, which is experiencing protracted crisis as has long been noted, prepared to fulfill its potential, to ensure the full development and maturing of children?

In recent years this theme has resonated both inside Russia and outside, in the “near abroad” [the other parts of the former Soviet Union – editor]. We hear talk about the growing number of homeless children who have living parents, and of the parents themselves who don’t understand how to put right their relations with their children. Our own readers write us about this.

We decided to begin a conversation in this issue about the family, about the changes that today’s family is undergoing. The materials in the first segment are essentially about the problem of raising children and overcoming social orphanhood, [societal neglect or abandonment of children – editor]. We begin with two research articles, by Olga Volzhina of the Institute on the Family, and by Academician Natalia Rimashevskaya. Both articles emphasize that the contemporary family, existing in new economic, political, social and psychological conditions, different from those of ten-fifteen years ago, is experiencing great difficulties. They speak of the need for immediate, not postponable government and societal measures to support the family.

The two authors from Samara describe the region’s unique efforts to overcome social orphanhood – so far, the only example in Russia of a consistent effort to resolve the problem, through the region’s leadership support for foster families. The proposals from citizen organizations reveal yet another aspect, the role of the “third sector” [civil society – editor] and especially of women’s organizations.

In the next issue we will continue our discussion on the family, concentrating more on the relationships between adults and the changes in gender roles.

In the section on “Practice” you will find materials about a conference in the southern Caucasus region, about a trip to the USA by a young woman journalist from the Kaliningrad region, about the program “Women’s Leadership,” and the work of Russian women’s non-governmental organizations.

This summer was rich in events. There was a summer gender school in Ryazan, seminars in Tomsk, Bryansk, Barnaul, in the Moscow region, in Pskov, and in the Urals on problems of women’s political activity, women’s leadership, creativity, and business. Active discussion has begun on a new document – the Gender Strategy of the Russian Federation, in the formation of which leading experts took part. New gatherings are being planned. Both the public and the authorities in the various regions of Russia no longer see these gatherings as exotic undertakings of eccentric people; they are listening more and more to women’s voices and taking part in discussions and proposing cooperation. In part this may be electoral campaign tactics by the authorities, but it is obvious that society’s attitude to the initiatives and the work of women’s NGOs is changing. One would like to believe that the elections [national parliamentary, in the late autumn of 2003], even though an active pool of women candidates is so far not visible, will result in more attention by parties and political movements to gender issues. Stable development in Russia is not possible unless these issues are considered and dealt with.

Nadezhda Azhgikhina