Russian law would ban "ideology of childlessness"

The law would not criminalise women who don't have children, though that now being a topic of discussion is not reassuring.

Photo: Serhii Bobyk / Shutterstock. Illustration: Rob Beschizza

Fines of up to 400,000 rubles (about $4,175) may soon await people in Russia who promote an "ideology of childlessness" or otherwise discourage others from having children. For companies, the fines will be higher.

Vyacheslav Volodin, the speaker of the Duma, said: "It is important to protect …