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The article highlights a unique initiative by Russian President Vladimir Putin to address the country's declining population. Facing a demographic crisis, with the fertility rate plummeting to 1.5 children per woman, significantly below the 2.1 rate required for population stability, Putin has proposed that citizens engage in procreation during their lunch and coffee breaks. This unconventional approach underscores the urgency of the situation, as Russia's population is projected to shrink to 130 million by 2050 from its current 144 million.
Putin's call for increased births reflects the government's focus on preserving the Russian people as a national priority. Echoing his sentiment, Health Minister Dr. Yevgeny Shestopalov dismissed busy work schedules as a justification for postponing parenthood. He emphasizes that having children during breaks is a valuable option, given the brevity of life. Furthermore, the government is actively promoting reproductive health awareness, encouraging women in Moscow to undergo free fertility assessments.
Beyond simply encouraging childbirth, the Russian government is implementing a multi-pronged approach to address the demographic challenge. Member of Parliament Tatyana Butskaya has proposed a workplace strategy to monitor and promote childbirth, urging employers to assess birth rates and encourage capable employees to have more children. Simultaneously, access to abortion is being restricted, and women under 24 years old in Chelyabinsk are incentivized with a £8,500 reward for giving birth to their first child.
Public figures and religious leaders are reinforcing the societal expectation for women to bear and nurture children, while rising divorce fees further promote family growth. Adding to the pressure, figures like Anna Kuznetsova and Zhanna Ryabtseva have encouraged women to start having children at a younger age, advocating for births at 19-20 years old to maximize the potential for larger families.
While Putin's efforts to boost the population are undeniably bold, the article also highlights the irony of his stance, as he has remained secretive about his own children. Despite having two daughters from his marriage and reportedly two sons and another daughter from other relationships, he has never publicly disclosed these details. This discrepancy raises questions about the authenticity of the government's message and the effectiveness of their policies when such personal hypocrisy exists.
Source: Putin asks Russian citizens to have sex at work during breaks – But why?