Russia’s parliament approved a new law that stops people from promoting the idea of choosing not to have children. The government says this idea is “Western propaganda” that goes against traditional family values in Russia. This law is meant to help increase Russia’s population, which is shrinking as fewer people have children. By encouraging people to start families and discouraging the choice of not having kids, Russia hopes that young people will focus more on family life.

The legislation bans any content that supports the “rejection of childbearing” in media, online, advertising, and films. This means that any material that encourages people not to have children will be seen as harmful and will face limits. Those who break this rule, including businesses, could be fined up to 400,000 rubles (about $4,000) for individuals and up to five million rubles ($50,000) for companies. Foreign citizens promoting these views could also be deported.

Vyacheslav Volodin, the speaker of the Duma (Russia’s lower house of parliament), said the law is meant to “protect citizens, especially the younger generation, from content that negatively impacts personal development.” Volodin and other lawmakers believe that Western ideas supporting a child-free lifestyle are harmful to Russian society and make the country’s future weaker. They think that this law will encourage values that help keep the population stable and growing.

The new law will next go to Russia’s upper house of parliament, called the Federation Council, for review on November 20. If they approve it, the bill will be sent to President Vladimir Putin, who is expected to sign it into law.

Communist Party MP Nina Ostanina, who leads the Duma’s family policy committee, supported the bill, emphasising its intent to “shield our youth from unnecessary ideologies.” She argues that a family-orientated mindset is essential for Russia’s well-being and strength in the long term.

Further bans

Along with the law against promoting a child-free lifestyle, Russia has introduced other new rules about family and gender policies. The Duma (Russia's lower house of parliament) has passed a bill that bans people from certain countries from adopting Russian children if those countries allow gender change surgeries or let people change their gender on official documents. Lawmakers say this rule will stop Russian children from being raised in places where gender changes are allowed, which they believe go against traditional values.

Russia’s new laws show its government’s plan to separate itself from Western ideas, especially since tensions grew over the conflict in Ukraine. The current Russian government sees itself as a protector of traditional values. It has added more rules against “promoting” LGBTQ relationships or gender changes. Through these actions, Russia wants to support its own cultural beliefs that favour family values and oppose Western liberal ideas.

As Russia faces issues with its population, leaders are showing strong support for policies that encourage family life, having children, and returning to traditional values. Lawmakers hope these new laws will motivate Russians to focus on starting families and helping the country grow in the future.