Traditional values and the family in Russia
Victoria Arden

© Victoria Arden, 2025

ISBN 978-5-0067-9412-2

Created with Ridero smart publishing system

This book is an in – depth study of the historical, cultural, religious, and social foundations of the Russian family and traditional values. She examines how the concepts of family, marriage, parenthood, and morality have been shaped over the centuries by Orthodoxy, government policy, the peasant way of life, and the Soviet experiment. The book is not ideological propaganda, but strives for an objective analysis.: what are «traditional values» in the Russian context, how do they manifest themselves today, how do they change under the pressure of modernity, and how do they affect everyday life? The book is intended for readers interested in history, sociology, culture, and family politics, as well as for those who want to understand what lies behind modern discussions about the family in Russia.

Introduction: What does «traditional values» mean in Russia?

The word «traditional» is heard everywhere today: in public speeches, in the media, in conversations, in schools. It has become part of the political and social lexicon. But what does it really mean? What is hidden behind this term when it is used in the Russian context? This is not just a buzzword, not an empty slogan, but a complex, multifaceted set of beliefs, norms, and behavioral models that has been formed over the centuries. It is not something frozen, but is constantly being rethought, adapted to new realities, but at the same time retains its foundation. Understanding «traditional values» is not about acceptance or rejection, but about trying to figure it out.: what it is, where it came from, and how it affects people’s lives today.

In Russia, the concept of «traditional values» has its own characteristics that distinguish it from the Western understanding. In the West, especially in countries with liberal democracies, the emphasis is often on individual rights, freedom of choice, and personal autonomy. There, values can be more decentralized, where each person determines for himself what is important to him. In the Russian understanding, the center of gravity is shifted in the other direction: to the collective, to the family, to continuity, to duty to society and ancestors. The main pillars are family, faith, patriotism and respect for elders. The family here is not just a union of two people, but a cell of society, a place where personality is formed, knowledge and experience are transmitted. Faith is not necessarily a strict observance of religious dogmas, but rather a spiritual foundation, a sense of belonging to something more. Patriotism is not only love for the Motherland, but also a sense of responsibility for its fate. And the continuity of generations is the belief that the present is built on the past, that history, the memory of ancestors, and traditions that have come from the depths of time must be respected.

The historical roots of these values go deep into time. One of the main sources is Orthodoxy. It is not just a religion, but a fundamental part of the cultural code. Orthodoxy formed ideas about good and evil, about duty, about humility, about the value of suffering and sacrifice. It strengthened patriarchal foundations, where the father of the family was the head, the mother was the keeper of the hearth, and the children were the progenitors of the family. Another important source is the peasant community, or «the world.» It was a self-regulating system where decisions were made collectively, where agreement, mutual assistance and support were important. Individualism in this way was undesirable, but solidarity was necessary. This model has left a deep mark on the mentality: the ability to live in a team, respect for elders, responsibility for the common cause. The third source is the imperial idea. A great power that guards its borders, protects its interests, and is united under a strong government. This idea forms the idea of the country as a fortress that needs to be protected from external influence, from «alien» ideas that can destroy it.

That is why the topic of family and traditions has become central to the modern Russian agenda. In the context of global changes, economic instability, and cultural pressure from outside, traditional values are becoming a pillar. They give a sense of stability, clarity, and confidence that there is something immutable. The state, realizing this, has actively incorporated this topic into its ideology. Family, having many children, faith, and patriotism have all become part of official policy, supported by laws, support programs, and mass propaganda. Maternity capital, awards for having many children, lessons in the «Fundamentals of Orthodox Culture», and Victory Day celebrations – all these elements work to strengthen the traditional model of society.

However, the purpose of this book is not propaganda or idealization. Her goal is to understand. To understand what really lives in the hearts of people, and what is just rhetoric. What is preserved from the past, and what is changing under the pressure of modernity. How a family lives in a village and in a megalopolis. How young people perceive traditions, and why they are needed in the 21st century. The book will not claim that the old is always better than the new. She will not condemn those who choose a civil marriage or remain single. Her task is to show that traditional values are not a dogma, but a living process. This is what people choose, preserve, and adapt. And to understand Russia today, you need to understand what family, faith, patriotism and memory of the past mean to its inhabitants.

Part I. Historical foundations of family and values

This part of the book explores the deep roots from which modern ideas about the family and traditional values in Russia have grown. Understanding today is impossible without referring to the past. The family is not a static institution, but a living structure that has changed under the influence of religion, the state, the economy and cultural flows. This part shows how family life was organized in different eras, what forces influenced it, and how, despite all the reforms and upheavals, many traditions continued to exist in people’s daily practice.

Chapter 1. The Family in Ancient Russia and the Moscow Kingdom

The family in Ancient Russia and in the following centuries of the Moscow Kingdom was based on a strict patriarchal system. The head of the family was an older man, a father or grandfather, whose word was law. He managed the property, made decisions about the marriages of children, solved the issues of economic life and represented the family in society. The father’s authority was absolute, but it was accompanied by a huge responsibility for the well-being of the entire family. His task was not only to provide, but also to preserve and pass on land, livestock, handicrafts and, most importantly, faith to his descendants.

The woman occupied a subordinate position, but her role was central to something else – in everyday life and raising children. She was the keeper of the hearth, responsible for cooking, sewing, and caring for children and the elderly. Her work was invisible, but vital. Respect for a female mother was high, especially if she gave birth to sons who continued the family. Children joined the workforce from an early age, learned to respect their elders, obey and bear their share of responsibility. Education was based on obedience, hard work, and the fear of God.

Marriage at that time was not just a union of two people, but an important social and religious institution. He was in the church, and his main goal was procreation, not personal happiness or love attraction. Marriages were often arranged, concluded between families, and not by the choice of the young. Love could appear over time, but it was not a prerequisite. Divorce was extremely difficult and condemned by the church, as marriage was considered a sacrament indissoluble before God.

The central model was a multigenerational family, or «home.» Several generations lived under the same roof: grandfather, father, son with his wife and children. It was not just a housing form, but an economic and social unit. Everyone worked for the common good, the property was shared, and the income went to the general budget. This structure provided mutual assistance: the elderly received care, the children received education, and the workforce was pooled. The hierarchy in the house was clear: the elders ruled, the younger ones obeyed. This created stability, but also pressure on the personality, suppressing individuality.

Orthodoxy played a key role in shaping morality and family norms. It strengthened patriarchal foundations, sanctified the power of men, called for humility, patience and sacrifice. The Church taught that the family is a small church, where the husband is the head, as Christ is the head of the Church, and the wife is subordinate, as the Church is to Christ. Orthodoxy also formed ideas about good and evil, about duty, about sin and salvation. It permeated all aspects of life: holidays, fasts, rituals, attitudes towards death and birth. It was the Orthodox tradition that laid the foundation for many of the «traditional values» that are coming to the fore again today.

Chapter 2. The family in the 19th century: the nobility, the peasantry, the intelligentsia

The 19th century was a time of profound changes in Russian society, and this affected family values. The family structure ceased to be unified and began to depend on the class. Different models of marriage, upbringing, and role distribution were formed in different strata of society.

For the nobility, especially in large cities, the penetration of European ideas began. The influence of France, Germany and England led to the emergence of a romantic view of love and marriage. There was an idea that marriage should be based on feelings, not on a contract. Young people from noble families began to value personal happiness and freedom to choose a partner more. However, in practice, these ideas collided with reality: economic interests, the need to preserve the estate and social status often outweighed personal desires. Marriages continued to be arranged, especially among the upper nobility.

The peasant family remained close to the traditional model. A multigenerational family was preserved in the countryside, where the economy required joint work. The woman continued to do hard work in the field and at home. Marriages were arranged between families, often at an early age. However, by the end of the century, especially after the abolition of serfdom, the gradual weakening of the patriarchy began. Young peasants began to leave for the cities, which gave them more freedom in choosing a partner.

The intelligentsia has become the most difficult and controversial stratum. These were educated people who read Western philosophy and were interested in the ideas of freedom, equality and human rights. They actively discussed the «women’s issue»: should a woman have the right to education, to work, to freedom of choice? These debates were not abstract, but very personal. Many intellectuals married, but their unions were often filled with conflicts between old traditions and new ideals. The husband wanted to be the head of the family, and the wife wanted to be a person striving for self – realization.

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