A recent study conducted by Romir in collaboration with Fix Price reveals that nearly half of Russian fathers with children are open to the idea of pausing work to take parental leave when another child arrives. The survey findings were reviewed by socialbites.ca to understand this trend more clearly.
The data indicate that Russians generally welcome paternity leave policies. A majority express optimism about the possibility of both parents taking maternity leave, with 48 percent viewing it positively and 47 percent remaining neutral on the concept.
When asked about the likelihood of taking parental leave, 49 percent of men indicated they could consider it. In specific regions, interest runs highest among fathers in St. Petersburg and the Siberian Federal District, with about 57 percent showing curiosity about the option. In contrast, approval is lower in the Urals, where only 46 percent of respondents would consider taking leave themselves.
Experts note that the appeal of fatherly parental leave aligns with education and family income. Highly educated men are more inclined to contemplate taking time off, with 55 percent expressing willingness, compared with those who have secondary or incomplete secondary education.
About half of the men surveyed—51 percent—do not see personal maternity leave as a possibility for themselves. The dominant reason is financial: roughly 65 percent of these respondents say the idea is economically impractical. In Russia, earnings for women are typically about one third lower than those of men, making it financially advantageous for families to lean toward maternity leave for mothers rather than fathers.
The next most frequent explanation involves a perceived lack of caregiving skills among fathers, cited by 32 percent. A smaller share, 29 percent, believe childcare remains primarily a mother’s responsibility. Only about 10 percent say their partners would object to the idea of paternal leave. Respondents could select more than one reason for their stance.
Analysts observe a steady rise in the number of fathers taking parental leave over time, suggesting that men are increasingly embracing the role of an engaged parent. Yet the rate remains significantly below that of mothers, with fathers taking leave far less often than women do.
Earlier discussions among younger Russians hinted at how they envision their future retirement and pensions, adding another layer to the evolving view of family life and work responsibilities.