In January, researchers from the youth and health housing cluster known as SOYUZ conducted a survey of more than one thousand Russians. The findings show that 60 percent rarely spend time with their children, while joint sports emerge as a popular leisure option, with participants broadly agreeing it is a good idea. About a quarter of respondents believe that exercising together strengthens family bonds. Socialbites.ca reviewed the results of the survey to share the insights.
SOYUZ analysts observed that only 28 percent of Russians who spend every evening with their children and 12 percent of those who spend every weekend with them engage in regular play. Another 22 percent avoid time with their child, citing the presence of friends as a reason, 17 percent seldom see their kids, 12 percent meet them mainly on weekends, and 9 percent are too busy to spend much family time.
The majority of those surveyed voiced support for joint physical education classes, even if it remains a verbal vote — roughly 40 percent. Another 22 percent believe that collective exercise strengthens both family ties and health, and about 10 percent view it as a way to relax and address family matters.
Engaging in joint sport is seen as a solution to multiple issues, including health and family cohesion, and as a means to spend more time together. About 12 percent would join a sport activity to support their son’s team and to stand by after a Friday party, seven percent would wake early for a family table tennis match, the same proportion would wake for a daughter’s dance or gymnastics competition, and six percent would exercise with business partners in the morning. Realists account for 11 percent who admit that an early weekend wakeup would require a doctor’s go-ahead, yet most respondents acknowledge that balancing recovery after a Friday night out with exercise is a good plan. A pool followed by a relaxing sauna is appealing to 57 percent of participants.
At the same time, 28 percent of Russians agree that the domestic sports infrastructure is lacking, and the second most chosen concern is the absence of a sled track or a Formula 1 style circuit at 26 percent. A natural grass football field ranks among the top three desires, with 21 percent expressing interest, while 13 percent would like a tennis court nearby and a garden space remains a plausible option for some households.
Earlier reports highlighted that almost one third of Muscovites associate childhood with garden games, a sentiment that underscores the enduring appeal of outdoor activity and spontaneous play for families across the country.