Russian-Iranian Cross-Cultural Marriages: a Sociological Analysis

Abstract

One of the characteristic features of the modern socio-demographic situation in the world is the increase in the number of cross-cultural marriages concluded between a man and a woman belonging to different socio-cultural strata of society, having their own cultural characteristics and value systems. There are no official statistics of cross-cultural marriages in Russia in the public domain, which actualizes the conduct of special sociological research. The conclusions of the article are based on the results of a pilot sociological survey conducted by a questionnaire survey of 153 respondents from Russia (Moscow) and Iran (Tehran) aged 18 to 60 years, who are in cross-cultural marriages, as well as having families based on cross-cultural marriage or being in an interethnic, interfaith environment (due to educational or professional activity). The results of the survey revealed the existence of different ideas about the family and marriage model for both Iran and modern Russia. The results obtained can be used to develop strategies for the development of socio-cultural interaction between Russia and Iran, in the public administration system, as part of efforts aimed at supporting cross-cultural families in the process of adaptation and familiarization with the norms and traditions of a new culture for a spouse.