Improving the situation of children in divorced families — the way to reduce poverty in Russia

Abstract

The level of child poverty in Russia is almost twice the national poverty rate. According to UNICEF s definition, children living in poverty are those who are deprived of the material, spiritual and emotional resources necessary for survival, development and prosperity, which deprives them of the opportunity to enjoy their rights, to reach their full potential and to participate as full and equal members of society . One of the reasons for child poverty in Russia is the evasion of parents living separately from children from paying child support. The total alimony debt in Russia reached 156 billion rubles in 2020 and continues to grow. According to Rosstat and the Accounts Chamber of the Russian Federation, one in five children under the age of 16, for whom there is arrears on alimony payments appointed by the court, does not receive money. That s almost 1.5 million children. The Family Code of the Russian Federation has established the right of every child to receive maintenance from parents, and children should not experience deprivation due to their parents irresponsibility, otherwise society and public authorities should be obliged to take special care of children, who do not have sufficient means of subsistence. This algorithm of actions is also contained in paragraph 4 of Article 67.1 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation — the State takes over the responsibilities of parents in relation to children left without care. To achieve the national goal of reducing the level of poverty, fundamentally new approaches to the system of alimony recovery are required, including creation of a State Alimony Fund in Russia, as well as improving the value of the child s quality of life in the eyes of parents and society, strengthening the moral responsibility of parents for children.