Religious values and large families in the context of the state family policy implementation in the Republic of Kazakhstan

Abstract

The article is devoted to the study of religious values and state family policy in support of large families in the Republic of Kazakhstan. In the context of the Concept of State Family and Gender Policy implementation until 2030, which prioritizes support for large households, it remains relevant to study additional factors contributing to strengthening the institution of the family.

The aim of the work is to identify the value orientations that women rely on when making decisions about having many children and to assess how these personal attitudes correlate with the objectives of the demographic and social policy of the state. In addition to descriptive statistics, the work uses qualitative methods such as in-depth interviews and thematic analysis to develop key topics related to religious and social motivations and government support. The results showed that even with a limited amount of social support, a significant number of women are guided by ideas about family responsibility, moral duty, and the spiritual importance of motherhood.

It is assumed that these attitudes can be considered as a valuable resource that enhances the potential of state demographic policy, without going beyond the principles of a secular state. The practical significance of the work lies in the possibility of taking these factors into account when designing targeted support measures for families with children. According to the population census of the Republic of Kazakhstan in 2021, 69.31% of people are Muslims, and 17.19% are Christians. This confessional background forms a special cultural environment in which the birth rate in large families receives additional value justification.

The relevance of the topic is emphasized by the fact that religious beliefs and practices directly depend on religious beliefs, especially in the Muslim context. The researchers analyze the relationship between government policy and religious traditions in reproductive behavior and provide recommendations on a model of state support for large families, based on confessional characteristics.

Key words: religion, large families, religious values, state family policy, social assets.