Gurko T.A. (2021) Children's Well-being in Various Family Structures: a Review of Foreign Research Results. Vestnik of Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod. Social Sciences. No. 1 (61). P. 45-53. DOI 10.52452 ...

Текст статьи/выпуска на сайте журнала URL: http://www.vestnik-soc.unn.ru/files/Вестник%20СН%201%202021.pdf (дата обращения 22.04.2021)

Abstract

In the context of diversification of the family institution the results of foreign studies on the impact on the well-being of children of various structures – intact, single parent, fragile, cohabite, step, adoptive and gay families analyzed.  It concluded that the family structure has a small impact on the well-being of children according to the criterion of completeness of parents and their gender for various dependent variables (psychological well-being, academic success, illegal behavior, etc.). There is reason to assume that not only the well-being, but also the number of children in families practically does not depend on the family structure. Nevertheless, to confirm this fact, it need a special analysis. Researchers ' data for different time periods differ. Therefore, the review attaches particular importance to intermediate variables, which classified into the main four groups. It shown that at the individual level are examined personality characteristics of the parents, on the group level – presence in the household of grandparents, brothers/sisters, including step brothers/sisters, at the mesolevel – the impact of territorial community and social network of friends and relatives. The main factors at the macrolevel are the social regime and the stereotypical attitude of the social environment towards such families. In review dependent and intermediate variables presented selectively. Further research is needed on the well-being of children and the number of children in different family structures, and, most importantly, in different social groups. In the XXI century, conservative marriage and family norms can hardly implemented by the majority of citizens. Therefore, family policy needs to correspond with the trends of evolution and transformation of the institution of marriage.