Family: A Proclamation To You

The family unit is important in Ukraine and extended family ties are valued. The average family has two children and is led by the father. Both parents usually work outside the home. Child care is expensive and in short supply. Many elderly parents live with their adult children, and they often assume responsibility for daily child care. Women perform most household chores. The elderly are treated with love and respect. It is a common practice for parents to support children until they reach adulthood and even after they are married. In turn, children expect to care for aging parents when it becomes necessary. When parents live in the country and adult children in the city, the latter may send their children to live with the grandparents for several weeks during the summer. Most urban families live in a small one- or two-bedroom apartment. Many in large cities now own their apartments due to privatization programs. Some affordable apartments are still leased from the government; as renting from a private owner is expensive. Suburban families have most modern conveniences (electricity, gas, and water); rural people have much simpler houses.