What's New
A Russian regional lawmaker wants the country's parliament to discuss legislation that would outlaw extolling the benefits of solitude.
Olga Borisova, a deputy from the legislative assembly of the Kirov region, wants the State Duma to draft a federal law which "in a nutshell" would "ban propaganda about a lonely and 'selfish' lifestyle," Russian outlet Newsler.ru reported.
Newsweek has contacted Russia's Duma for comment.
Why it matters
As well as cracking down on dissent surrounding the war, Russian lawmakers have targeted the so-called promotion of nontraditional lifestyles.
It comes as Russia faces a demographic crisis due to low birthrates and exacerbated by an exodus of citizens fleeing the draft and high troop losses in the war with Ukraine started by Vladimir Putin.
Putin has tried to address falling birthrates with policies encouraging women to have children. This drive has been reinforced by legislation passed in November by the State Duma banning so-called propaganda that encourages choosing not to give birth.
Russian State Duma member Vitaly Milonov, has also suggested that to deter couples splitting up which might affect the raising of children, divorcees should be fined 100,000 rubles (about $1,134) or be sent to serve "compulsory labor" in the war.
What to know
Russian media outlets have reported the proposal of Borisova, 41, who said the promotion of "divorce and a lonely, consumerist lifestyle" is a threat to traditional family values.
She said that there should be a ban in the media, cinema and advertising which promotes cutting family ties and the benefits of loneliness and would also apply to retreats and seminars for personal growth, according to news outlet RBC.
However, Borisova's colleagues in the Kirov assembly have not backed her initiative, the outlet said, with some citing how Russian literature often has examples of a lonely lifestyle. Borisova responded by saying that a lonely lifestyle is not promoted in literature, rather it is often described in a negative way
One Kirov lawmaker, Roman Titov, said historical figures such as composer Beethoven, philosopher Immanuel Kant and scientist Isaac Newton, managed to live in solitude without being symbols of selfishness.
What people are saying
Olga Borisova told Newsler.ru: "There is Western influence, including consultations with psychologists, which promotes how a person should live alone, be selfish and, think about themselves first and foremost. I believe that this propaganda runs counter to our traditional Russian values."
Kirov deputy Roman Titov asked: "Where would we put Gogol, who was unmarried his whole life? Or Kant, Newton, Beethoven and other great people?"
What happens next
Borisova said she had made queries with the legal department of the Kirov Legislative Assembly and had been told that there it would be difficult to pursue and that there was no such thing as a "lonely selfish lifestyle" in Russian law.
However, she said the bill may need to be tweaked but still expressed hope that it would be sent to the State Duma.
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