The plight of orphans under depopulation in Russia Part 6

As we continue the series on the plight of orphans from the traumatic changes in Russia since the collapse of the Soviet Union-hard to believe it happen over 22 years ago. Many people and researchers report on the problems. Occasionally we receive encouraging stories of  orphans who are doing well. What I am hoping to do eventually is add to the effort of successful orphan leaders. Markova writes that in spite of efforts to mitigate the orphan problem, the situation is not changing due to societal issues. The following are my own observations from my last trip to Russia in Summer of 2014. The low wages and salaries is still an issue. I noticed people working for around $1.10/ hour. Although basic food is relatively cheap, other commodities are much more expense. I noticed family members taking out credit for around 12-24%. And there seemed to be no early payback on loans. Secondly Markova mentions an oppressive information environment. I am not sure exactly what that is supposed to mean, but for the normal Russian, other than a biased media, people interact on a social level through the Russian social media Vkontakte and Odnoklassniki. I really do not see any difference between those sites and Facebook. The spread of alcoholism and narcotics would be a definite negative influence on orphans. My wife talks about the fact alcoholism was low during Soviet times, yet reports came to the West of high alcoholism. I did notice many mean and a few women drunk in the streets and/or passed out on the sidewalk. Even with the negative influences, the focus I am trying to achieve is the influence of family, and more in line with my research on mentors of orphans. It is good to know the situation, but working to alleviate the problem would be the direction I should be moving.

Markova, N. E. (2011). Social Orphanhood Under the Conditions of Depopulation. Russian Education & Society, 53(5), 85-92. doi: 10.2753/res1060-9393530507