Social Structures as Seen by Typical Russian Families

Continuing along the same lines as my last post, as Andre, Olga, Daria, Leslie and I sat in our small dining room around now empty boxes of pizza, we continued talking about Russian culture. We got on the subject of principles, values, standards, and rules of behavior in Russia. This is what we learned. Russian codes of conduct may not always be written, but they do provide a glimpse into the social structures, leadership, traditions and communication that make up everyday life.

Social Structure

Russia is organized into sections of the federation that are additionally broken down into states. These states control regions which control cities and villages. Strong local state control exists in these villages and cities. People depend on a strong government for organization. Andre and Olga were both happy to discuss these structures.

Traditionally, there was a collective approach to society, and families organized themselves into this collective. Traditionally, there was a lot of entertaining of guests and visiting friends. Now, Andre tried to visit his friends as much as once per week. Under communism, there would be guests as much as 4 or 5 times per week. Because of the change, many families no longer relate to each other.

Olga believed there is a standard acceptance of most foreigners, but Andre qualified his acceptance based on the foreigner’s race or nationality. "Russia," he said, "is very hospitable, but there are too many foreigners now living in Russia. People from other Russian cities are accepted, even if they are from another race. But people from other countries have their own agendas and therefore qualify as a danger to Russian well-being." Andre particularly dislikes people form the southern Caucuses, because he says they behave immorally. He also said he dislikes Estonians, Latvians, and Polish, because they try to propagandize their own political views against Russians.

Real estate, for the most part, is government-owned. Private citizens can buy houses or apartments, but land is forbidden for the most part to be privatized. Many people work their entire lives for what was the Soviet Dream to own an apartment, a summer house and a car, but this has become a pipe dream for many.

Social Leadership

The head leader in Russia is elected by majority vote. He in turn appoints government leaders throughout the federation. Some local leaders also run for office, but the majority of public officials are appointed. Although there is a long list of requirements for eligibility by Russian law, it seems the current understanding is whatever the current leadership wants to continue its right to lead will be accepted. Vladimir Putin, once President, then Prime Minister, now President again, has lost some of his popularity, he is still widely accepted as the leader of the nation. And the nation as a whole wants him to be their leader. Interestingly, Joseph Stalin is seen as a national hero by many people in Russia.

Andre listed patriotism, spirituality, good-heartedness, hospitality and patience as basic values for Russia. Olga also added self-reliance and self-sacrifice as strong values. Daria added architecture, music, dance and traditionalism. One interesting anecdote that Andre mentioned was the typical spirit of Russians to procrastinate yet still get things done.

Social Tradition

I asked Andre about what makes us social traditions in Russia, especially in Moscow. He mentioned that the same basic taboos of American Christianity would be for traditional Russia. Andre extrapolated homosexuality and pedophilia as examples. The only point of difference was in Russia’s "aversion to marriage of relatives (cousins)," which seemed to be acceptable to Americans.

Russians have a rich history of tradition, but this is being tweaked with the fall of communism. Today’s traditions include Russian Orthodoxy with its veneration of icons, spiritual folklore, Russian vodka and the ideal of a strong nation. Moreover, tradition has been recently challenged by special interest groups and political parties who have their own agendas for Russia’s future.  

Russian architecture, folklore and fairy tales, rich classical music like Tchaikovsky as well as folk music on the balalaika, Russian folk dance, literature by Tolstoy and Dostoevsky, and paintings by Ivanov and Alekseyev. These are not only valued by society but are praised on the same level as aeronautical accomplishments and scientific feats.

 

Social Communication

Russia is a highly developed society for communication, yet mass communication is controlled by the state. The five major television networks are state-run. Radio is controlled by the state as well. The internet is open as well as there is possibility to subscribe to international television channels for news. Channel One, RTR, NTV, Rossiya, and STS are the channels people turn to for news in Russia. The state bears the news and it is largely biased. Most people, however, are avid readers and instead turn to printed media for their news. Andre reads an average of two newspapers per day, and Olga reads one. Even Daria at age 7 began to read Russian printed media.