The young family social institution is one of the main objects of social policy. Family policy is aimed at strengthening the young family as a social institution. This goal is fundamental and long-term. However, it is possible to renew and strengthen the young family as a social institution only by helping individual, specific families to solve their life problems, providing them with social support^[131].

Social support for young families – is a direction of family policy aimed at providing favorable conditions for the formation and development of young families. It includes measures of state and public assistance aimed both at overcoming difficult life situations that the family cannot cope with on its own, and at stimulating sustainable socio-economic development of the family, strengthening parenthood, improving the quality of life and creating opportunities for self-realization and full participation in public life.

By its structure, a modern young family is complete, typical and a family of social risk. The latter type includes single-parent families, families of single and underage mothers, families where the father is unemployed, student families, and families in which one of its members is disabled. Of these, the most numerous are groups of single-parent and student families^[132].

Throughout their life, the family inevitably faces various social challenges that can generate internal tension, cause stressful conditions and have both positive and negative effects on the functioning of the family, its stability and life prospects. These difficulties can be both temporary and protracted, and often require external support from the State, society, or close associates.

Especially vulnerable in this context are young families who are at the initial stage of living together. Due to their limited life experience, unstable financial situation and transitional life, they often face a complex of acute problems, including:

- economic difficulties, which include insufficient income, lack of savings, high financial dependence on parents or the state, etc.;

- housing issue, i.e. the lack of own housing, the inability to rent or purchase housing on acceptable terms;

- medical problems, including. limited access to quality health services, especially during pregnancy, childbirth and child care;

- psychological difficulties, such as stress arising from adaptation to family life, unresolved intra-family conflicts, as well as a combination of new social roles (spouse, parent);

- educational barriers, i.e. the need to combine studies with parental responsibilities, lack of time and resources to continue education;

- employment problems, namely instability in the labor market, difficulties in finding a job, especially for women with young children or young professionals without experience.

These factors together can have a significant impact on the quality of family life, its sustainability and prospects for successful development, which makes the task of social support for young families at the state and regional levels particularly relevant.

According to the Lawa «On State Youth Policy» of February 9, 2015, «a young family is a family in which both spouses have not reached the age of thirty-five, or an incomplete family in which a child (children) is brought up by one of the parents who has not reached the age of thirty-five»^[133]».

A young family is a complex subject-object social phenomenon. On the one hand, it acts as a recipient of state, public and other social support, and on the other – hand, it independently makes efforts to ensure its own well-being, maintain functional stability and maintain intra-family ties.

In order to promote the development of the young family institute, as well as create conditions for the sustainability of marriages among young people, state bodies of the Republic of Kazakhstan – both at the central and regional levels – develop and implement sectoral and territorial support programs within the framework of current legislation.

To date, the state policy in this area includes a wide range of measures aimed at improving the socio-economic situation of young families, including:

- support in solving the housing problem, including the development of affordable rental and mortgage housing programs for young people and young families;

- creating conditions for stable employment, including job search assistance, vocational training and retraining;

- provision of concessional loans for small business development, housing purchase and other needs of young families;

- the possibility of applying for academic leave for students with children, with the consent of the administration of educational institutions, which contributes to the combination of parenthood and education;

- free consultation services in the field of psychology, pedagogy, law and other aspects of family life;

- development ofa network of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) providing social and legal assistance to young families;

- support for the system of organized recreation and health improvement for children and young people, including summer camps and sanatoriums;

- provision of residential premises to young student families in need in dormitories attached to educational institutions;

- expanding the network of state preschool institutions, which helps young parents combine work and raising children;

- promotion of a healthy lifestyle culture, including prevention of bad habits and promotion of sports;

- raising the level of legal literacy of young people and fostering respect for State values, institutions and norms of law.

Social work with a young family is a systematic activity aimed at establishing a stable interaction between state and public institutions and the family itself. The main goal of such interaction is to improve the living conditions of the family, ensure its rights and freedoms enshrined in international and national legal acts, as well as create favorable conditions for the physical, moral and spiritual development of all family members.

Key attention in social work with young families is paid to creating conditions for their active involvement in labor, social and creative activities, which contributes to social adaptation, self-realization and stability of intra-family ties.

The central role in the implementation of social programs to support young families is played by social assistance centers, whose activities cover a wide range of areas:

- social prevention;

- social patronage and rehabilitation;

- social-psychological and psychological-pedagogical assistance;

- medical and legal support;

- informational, consulting and psychotherapy services.

These centers provide support for young spouses in crisis situations, promote the development of their educational competencies, form sustainable life strategies and strengthen the social capital of the family.

Scientific and research support of the state youth policy in the field of support for young families requires an in-depth and systematic study of their problems and needs. This assumes:

- application of innovative methods of scientific analysis;

- regular monitoring of the effectiveness of social services and youth organizations;

- use of sociological methods, including questionnaires, interviews, focus groups and observation;

- adaptation of foreign experience and implementation of best international practices;

- development of alternative strategies for the development of social infrastructure;

- creation of effective organizational and managerial mechanisms for providing assistance.

An integrated and evidence-based approach to social work with young families contributes not only to improving their well-being, but also to the sustainable development of society as a whole.

The State youth policy of Kazakhstan covers three priority areas: education, employment promotion and housing provision. At the same time, the approach to implementing these areas is flexible and modern.

So, education means not only classical academic training, but also the development of applied skills – from entrepreneurship and drawing up business plans to the basics of financial literacy. Support in the housing sector also includes not only the provision of ready-made housing, but also the creation of conditions for self-solution of the housing problem: through concessional lending, rental housing and subsidies.

Education and professional training.

«Mangylik el zhastary – to the indrusty» program («Serpyn-2050»).

The project is aimed at reallocating youth potential from the southern labor-surplus regions to the northern, eastern and western regions of the country, where there is a shortage of personnel. Participants receive free training in higher education institutions and VET institutions in the following areas: pedagogy, technical and agricultural sciences. In addition, a hostel and a scholarship are provided.

«Free vocational education for all» program.

This initiative allows young people who have not continued their education beyond the 9th or 11th grade to receive free technical or vocational education. The state provides hot meals, scholarships and travel expenses to the educational institution.

«Zhas maman» program.

Within the framework of the program, young people are trained in 100 of the most popular industrial and service professions in 200 modernized colleges and training centers. This contributes to the training of highly qualified specialists who are ready to work in the digital economy.

Support of entrepreneurial initiatives.

«Bastau Business» program.

The program focuses on teaching entrepreneurial skills to the unemployed, self-employed, people with disabilities, and aspiring entrepreneurs. During the month, participants receive trainings, individual consultations and assistance in preparing business plans. Based on the results of training, it is possible to issue micro-loans and grants for the development of their own business, while participants are accompanied by a mentor until the first income.

«Zhas kasipker».

The program is intended for unemployed and socially vulnerable youth. Within 25 days, participants learn the basics of entrepreneurship, after which they can get a certificate, as well as apply for preferential financing – grants or loans to start their own business.

Employment promotion.

The program «With a diploma-to the village»!

For university graduates who have no experience, the State offers guaranteed employment in rural areas. The program covers the areas of education, health, social protection, culture, sports and veterinary medicine. Participants are provided with a one-time allowance (100 MCI), a preferential housing loan for up to 15 years and a salary supplement of at least 25%.

Youth practice.

For graduates who do not have work experience, a temporary employment mechanism is provided for up to six months. During this time, young specialists work in their specialty, receiving a monthly payment of 25 MCI.

The program «Zhasyl El».

Seasonal employment of young people in the field of landscaping. Participants – schoolchildren, students and unemployed youth-get not only temporary jobs, but also form a responsible attitude to the environment. The salary ranges from 30,000 to 150,000 tenge, depending on the volume and nature of the work.

The First Workplace project.

Employment under the project «First workplace» of graduates looking for work is carried out for the first time in accordance with the specialty indicated in the diploma of professional education or close to the profile of education. Under this project, the employer, on the basis of an agreement with the employment center of the population, employs the participant of the National Project for a permanent job for a period of at least 24 months, while the employment center subsidizes labor remuneration for 1 year of work. The amount of subsidy per month from the local budget is 30 monthly calculated indicators (including taxes, mandatory social contributions, compensation for unused labor leave and banking services), excluding payments for environmental allowances.

The Generational Contract project.

As part of the implementation of additional measures to promote employment for job seekers and unemployed persons, including graduates of educational institutions, employment centers organize employment of National Project participants at the request of employers and then replace the current employee who has reached retirement age. Under the project «Generational Contract», the employer, on the basis of an agreement with the employment center of the population, employs a participant of the National Project for a permanent job for at least 18 months, while the employment center subsidizes labor remuneration for 6 months of work^[134].

Housing provision and affordable lending.

«Rental housing for working youth in Astana, Almaty and Shymkent».

The program allows working youth to rent housing on preferential terms, save up funds for their own apartment or house. The program is being implemented especially actively in Astana – more than 2,400 apartments have been provided in three years.

Social program «7-20-25».

Allows citizens to purchase housing on favorable terms: 7% loan rate, 20% down payment, loan term up to 25 years. The program is aimed at working citizens who do not have housing.

«Shanyraq» program (5-10-20).

It is intended for citizens who are waiting in line for housing in akimats. Loan terms: 5% per annum, initial payment-10%, loan term-up to 20 years.

«Baqytty otbasy».

A program for large, single-parent families and families with disabled children. The loan is issued at 2% per annum, with a minimum initial payment of 10%.

According to the Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the state is declared social, which means that state policy is focused on providing conditions for a decent life, full-fledged personal development and social justice. This course focuses on protecting the rights and interests of citizens, as well as creating a support system for vulnerable categories of the population. In connection with this policy, the work and health of citizens (including disabled and elderly citizens) are protected, State support for the family and motherhood is provided, the system of social services is developed, and other guarantees of social protection are provided.

Measures of state support for young families to receive social benefits include:

- one-time allowance for the birth of a child. The amount of payments: for the first, second and third child – 38 MCI, for the fourth and more-63 MCI.

- monthly child care allowance up to 1.5 years old. This type of benefit is intended for parents who are not members of the mandatory social insurance system. Monthly allowance: first child – 5.76 MCI, second child – 6.81 MCI, third child – 7.85 MCI, fourth child and more-8.90 MCI;

- social payments from the State Social Security Fund for working women. Women who participate in the compulsory social insurance system are entitled to social payments from the State Social Insurance Fund. This includes the maternity allowance (lump sum), which is calculated for all days of maternity leave. The amount depends on the average monthly income for the last 12 months and the number of days of disability. Also included is the monthly child care allowance for children under 1.5 years of age, which is not calculated from the date of birth of the child. The amount is 40% of the average monthly income for two years. At the birth of twins or triplets, payments are assigned to each child separately.

Thus, social support for young families in Kazakhstan is the most important direction of the state youth policy aimed at strengthening the institution of the family, improving the quality of life and sustainable development of society as a whole. Young families who are in a vulnerable situation at the initial stage of their development face many socio-economic, housing, medical and psychological problems, which cannot be overcome without systematic state and public support. In response to these challenges, the State implements a wide range of programs covering education, employment, entrepreneurship and housing, as well as provides targeted social assistance. A comprehensive and scientifically based approach to supporting young families ensures their active integration into public life, promotes the formation of responsible parenting, strengthening intra-family ties and the formation of sustainable human capital, which in the future serves as the foundation for social progress in the country.

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^[131] Lukyanova I. E., Prokhorova E. M., Shipovskaya L. P. Family Studies. – Moscow: INFRA-M, 2009.

^[132] Kuznetsova M. V. Young Family and Its Social Protection in Modern Society. Social Work with the Family. – Moscow, 1995.

^[133] Law «On State Youth Policy» dated February 9, 2015 https://adilet.zan.kz/rus/docs/Z1500000285. Date of access 15.04.2024

^[134] Internet resource «EL JASTARY» https://eljastary.kz/ru/opportunities/programs/proekt-kontrakt-pokoleniy/. Date of access 15.04.2025