Novosibirsk residents have expressed strong opinions regarding a proposal to increase maternity capital to one million rubles for women under 24 years old. The suggestion, put forth by Yana Lantratova, head of the State Duma Committee on the Development of Civil Society, aims to encourage earlier parenthood and increase the likelihood of families having multiple children.

However, reactions among Novosibirsk residents suggest skepticism about the proposal’s effectiveness. Many believe that the increased capital will not significantly alter the trend of delayed parenthood, citing inflation and the need for more comprehensive support.

Some residents argue that the age of the mother does not impact the child’s well-being and that the focus should be on providing adequate support for all families, regardless of the mother’s age. Several commentators propose alternative solutions, such as providing housing or improving wages to reduce reliance on government assistance.

Concerns were also raised that the increased maternity capital might not lead to more children, with some suggesting that financial incentives alone are insufficient to encourage larger families. Some residents pointed out that many women prioritize education and career before starting a family, highlighting the complexities of the issue. Other alternative solutions include giving an apartment in social housing for the birth of the second child, for example.