Russian schools introduce a new ‘family studies’ elective

Education officials are encouraging a new elective course on “Family Life Studies,” according to the newspaper Kommersant. The new subject is a joint project between the Education Ministry and the National Parent Association.

The recommended curriculum emphasizes the need for lessons on “the foundations of family psychology,” “age pedagogy,” “male and female culture,” “family life patterns,” “family education,” “family law,” “the foundations of healthy lifestyles and meaningful recreation,” “forms and methods of studying family history,” “spiritual and moral development,” “the formation of a culture of behavior,” and “the formation of civic self-awareness in children.”

Teachers and parents across Russia can expect to receive these “methodological recommendations” by June 1.