Seven Faces of Femininity: Wartime Schoolgirls Educate in Russia
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Russian Schools Increasingly Emphasize Traditional Values, Raising Concerns
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Russia’s education system is undergoing a shift, with increased emphasis on patriotism and traditional family values. This includes “conversations about notable things” focusing on love for the homeland, and in some instances, students participating in activities like writing letters to soldiers and learning basic military skills. Simultaneously, the curriculum is dedicating more time to family-related topics and what are described as “traditional education” principles, aligning with the government’s focus on large families.
Starting this academic year, some regions are piloting “Family Studies” courses, with plans for nationwide implementation next year.While boys are seemingly being prepared for roles as future soldiers, the messaging around family and children appears primarily directed at girls.
“Family Studies” Curriculum Sparks Controversy
A new extracurricular course, “Family Studies,” is being introduced in all Russian schools, building on pilot programs in 42 regions. According to the Ministry of Education, the course aims to instill in the younger generation a commitment to traditional Russian spiritual and moral values, including the importance of a strong family unit, to strengthen civil unity and address demographic challenges.
However, the curriculum has faced immediate criticism. Priest Pavel Ostrovsky highlighted the involvement of Ksenia Mosunova, described as an “info-mud” and “Rodologist,” as a co-author of the textbook.Mosunova reportedly promotes controversial ideas about genetics and wealth, charging significant fees for consultations on “generic scenarios.” Senator Andrey Klishas labeled the textbook’s authors as obscurantists, while Ekaterina Mizulina, head of the “Safe Internet League,” criticized the inclusion of individuals known for promoting scientifically dubious concepts.
The textbook reportedly instructs students in grades 5-9 on the importance of generational continuity and the benefits of large families, promoting the idea that “the more we are, the stronger we are.” It includes a chapter on the “Mother Heroine” honorary title and emphasizes the family’s role in educating patriots.
The curriculum also outlines traditional gender roles, with mothers providing emotional support and fathers offering protection and authority. It defines masculinity as strength and courage, and femininity as softness, care, and wisdom.
The textbook states that the primary purpose of marriage is procreation and highlights state support for young families. It also covers topics such as supporting relatives, resolving conflicts through dialog, respecting personal space, financial literacy, and household management.
The topic of family and motherhood is also addressed in “conversations about important things.” Students have been shown content featuring Vladimir Putin emphasizing the importance of strong families for Russia’s future.Teachers are instructed to remind students that in Russia, family is defined as “the union of a man and a woman, mother and father.”
In March 2025, high school students were shown a segment from director Nikita Mikhalkov’s “Besogon,” lamenting the destruction of the family in Russia. Before viewing,teachers were instructed to explain that caring for family and children has always been a primary role for women. Post-viewing discussions focused on the connection between motherhood and the transmission of traditions.
Lectures Promote Abstinence and Traditional Roles
While some teachers report no explicit pro-natal propaganda aimed at girls, various thematic events are being held in different regions.In the Tyumen region, lectures on “moral behavior in relationships” warned students against premarital sex, cohabitation, abortion, and contraception, advocating for abstinence and chastity. One speaker, Alena Metropolitan, a member of the Public Chamber of sochi, encouraged girls to “take care of cleanliness” and marry someone with whom they would be happy to have children.
In Tatarstan, students attended lectures on fidelity, chastity, and the “values of life before birth,” including films about fetal development. Elina Belyankina, president of the Center for Trouble, stated that large families strengthen the nation.
High school students in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug were lectured on the importance of chastity and avoiding early sexual relations and abortion. In the perm Territory, a former obstetrician-gynecologist, now a nun named Elizabeth, delivered a lecture titled “Orthodox culture guarding chastity and health.”
According to the Union of Orthodox Women of Prikamye, the nun discussed puberty and gender roles “from the point of view of Christian anthropology and traditional Russian culture,” addressing “national troubles such as abortion.”
The lecturer reportedly used dummies of embryos and nesting dolls to illustrate her points. “The seven faces of femininity appeared in the form of a native and
Russian Schools Increasingly Emphasize Traditional Values, Raising Concerns
Russia’s education system is undergoing a shift, with increased emphasis on patriotism and traditional family values. This includes “conversations about notable things” focusing on love for the homeland, and in some instances, students participating in activities like writing letters to soldiers and learning basic military skills. Together, the curriculum is dedicating more time to family-related topics and what are described as “traditional education” principles, aligning with the government’s focus on large families.
Starting this academic year,some regions are piloting ”Family Studies” courses,with plans for nationwide implementation next year.While boys are seemingly being prepared for roles as future soldiers, the messaging around family and children appears primarily directed at girls.
“Family Studies” Curriculum Sparks Controversy
A new extracurricular course, “Family Studies,” is being introduced in all Russian schools, building on pilot programs in 42 regions. According to the Ministry of Education, the course aims to instill in the younger generation a commitment to traditional Russian spiritual and moral values, including the importance of a strong family unit, to strengthen civil unity and address demographic challenges.
However, the curriculum has faced immediate criticism. Priest Pavel Ostrovsky highlighted the involvement of Ksenia Mosunova, described as an “info-mud” and “Rodologist,” as a co-author of the textbook.Mosunova reportedly promotes controversial ideas about genetics and wealth, charging significant fees for consultations on “generic scenarios.” Senator Andrey Klishas labeled the textbook’s authors as obscurantists, while Ekaterina Mizulina, head of the “Safe internet League,” criticized the inclusion of individuals known for promoting scientifically dubious concepts.
The textbook reportedly instructs students in grades 5-9 on the importance of generational continuity and the benefits of large families, promoting the idea that “the more we are,the stronger we are.” It includes a chapter on the “Mother Heroine” honorary title and emphasizes the family’s role in educating patriots.
The curriculum also outlines traditional gender roles, with mothers providing emotional support and fathers offering protection and authority. It defines masculinity as strength and courage,and femininity as softness,care,and wisdom.
The textbook states that the primary purpose of marriage is procreation and highlights state support for young families. It also covers topics such as supporting relatives, resolving conflicts through dialog, respecting personal space, financial literacy, and household management.
The topic of family and motherhood is also addressed in “conversations about important things.” students have been shown content featuring Vladimir Putin emphasizing the importance of strong families for Russia’s future.Teachers are instructed to remind students that in Russia, family is defined as “the union of a man and a woman, mother and father.”
In March 2025, high school students were shown a segment from director Nikita Mikhalkov’s “Besogon,” lamenting the destruction of the family in Russia. Before viewing,teachers were instructed to explain that caring for family and children has always been a primary role for women. Post-viewing discussions focused on the connection between motherhood and the transmission of traditions.
Lectures Promote Abstinence and traditional Roles
While some teachers report no explicit pro-natal propaganda aimed at girls, various thematic events are being held in diffrent regions.In the Tyumen region, lectures on “moral behavior in relationships” warned students against premarital sex, cohabitation, abortion, and contraception, advocating for abstinence and chastity. One speaker, Alena Metropolitan, a member of the Public chamber of sochi, encouraged girls to “take care of cleanliness” and marry someone with whom they would be happy to have children.
in Tatarstan, students attended lectures on fidelity, chastity, and the “values of life before birth,” including films about fetal growth. Elina Belyankina, president of the Center for Trouble, stated that large families strengthen the nation.
High school students in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug were lectured on the importance of chastity and avoiding early sexual relations and abortion. in the perm Territory, a former obstetrician-gynecologist, now a nun named Elizabeth, delivered a lecture titled “Orthodox culture guarding chastity and health.”
According to the Union of Orthodox Women of Prikamye, the nun discussed puberty and gender roles “from the point of view of Christian anthropology and traditional Russian culture,” addressing “national troubles such as abortion.”
The lecturer reportedly used dummies of embryos and nesting dolls to illustrate her points. ”The seven faces of femininity appeared in the form of a native and