Mechanisms of Solidarity Formation in Childfree Families in Russia

The dissertation research is devoted to the study of a new kind of family - childfree family, the amount of which is growing in Russia with growing diversity of forms of the modern family. Research was based on the analysis of a semi-formalized interviews using an ethnographic method that involves the reconstruction and understanding of the cultural meanings of family in the context of its transformation. The main way of solidarity formation was defined as symbolic rituals that support the common sacred for the childfree family which is the idea of ​​respect for individuality and constant interaction. The underlined lack of strict frames in the everyday interaction in the family and constant contact between family members were also identified as the part of simbolic interaction. The psychological and material fair exchange is defined as a basis for building a childfree family, in which childfree understand the family more as an alliance aimed at comfort and respect for the individual, not related to blood relationship. Value conflicts between parent families and families of childfree have been found on this basis, the strategies for its overcoming were described, such as adaptation and break in relations.