Russian women live ten years longer than men, the largest gender life expectancy gap in the world. But in their eyes, Putin is a teetotaler. He is calm, sober, even charming. What is the charm of Putin?
“Putin is respected by everyone, so men should pay attention to how and what he does,” Anna Veresova, 75, a retired teacher, told me. “In theory, he is the perfect man to have around."
"Putin is respected by everyone, so men should pay attention to how and what he does," Anna Veresova, a 75-year-old retired teacher, told me. "On paper, he's the perfect man we want."
The special relationship between Russian women and Vladimir Putin goes back to the very beginning of his years in power. In the 2000 elections — the first time Mr. Putin's name was on the ballot — 61 percent of his votes came from women and just 39 percent from men. The gender gap has persisted: In 2012, 75 percent of women offered a favorable opinion of Mr. Putin, compared with 69 percent of men, according to the Pew Research Center.
The special relationship between Russian women and Vladimir Putin dates back to the early days of his rule. In the 2000 election - the first time Putin's name appeared on the ballot - 61% of his votes came from women and 39% from men. The gender gap persists: In 2012, 75% of women expressed support for Putin, compared with 69% of men, according to the Pew Research Center.
For the election on Sunday, 69.2 percent of women said they planned to vote for Putin, while only 57.5 percent of men did, according to a survey in February by the state-funded polling agency FOM.
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A February survey by the US government-funded survey agency FOM showed that in Sunday's election, 69.2% of women said they planned to vote for Putin, compared with only 57.5% of men.
Older women are a particular bastion of support. I spent a week in St. Petersburg last month and spoke to a dozen older women from different walks of life, with a variety of income and education levels. All told me they were voting for him. Most said they were doing so in part because he was a good man — strong, healthy and active.
Older women are a special support group. I spent a week in St. Petersburg last month and spoke with a dozen older women from different walks of life, with varying levels of income and education. Everyone told me they would vote for Putin. Part of the reason, most say, is that Putin is a good man—strong, healthy, active.
Ms. Veresova and the other women I photographed live in a world of very few men. Russian women outlive Russian men by over a decade, the biggest life expectancy gender gap in the world. According to World Health Organization data from 2015, women are expected to live until 76, and men to just 65. By the time women reach retirement age, their husbands have often died, and their days consist of taking care of grandchildren, spending time with other older women and watching television.
Veresova and the other women I photographed live in a world with few men. Russian women live ten years longer than men, the largest gender life expectancy gap in the world. According to 2015 data from the World Health Organization, Russian women can expect to live to 76 years, while men can only live to 65 years. By the time women reach retirement age, their husbands are often dead and their daily routines include caring for grandchildren, spending time with other older women and watching television.
On the one hand, no one I spoke with seemed to feel that they were worse off, exactly: Even before their husbands died, the women were already doing all the household chores. Most saw retirement as a chance to relax, to try things they'd always wanted to do. I met women who became professional divers, started horseback riding, were learning to use smartphones and were singing in choirs. One started a business.
一 On the other hand, none of the people I spoke to seemed to feel that their living conditions had actually worsened: even before their husbands died, these women had done all the housework. Most people view retirement as an opportunity to relax and try the things they have always wanted to do. Some of the women I met became professional divers; some started riding horses; some were learning to use a smartphone or sing in a choir. A man started a business.
And yet their emotional response to Mr. Putin — the only man their age who is a presence in their lives — seems to speak to both the holes and the scars that Russian men, in their absence, have left . Mr. Putin is not lazy, these women say. He doesn't drink. He's calm, sober, even charming. On March 8, when Russia had its annual lavish celebrations of International Women's Day, Mr. Putin appeared on television, as he did the year before. He looked into the camera, praised Russia's women who “take care of our homes and children every day.” He recited poetry. The babushkas alone in their homes watched.
However, they Affection for Putin - the only man their age in their lives - seemed to reflect the void and trauma left by the absence of Russian men. Putin is not lazy, these women say. He was a teetotaler. He is calm, sober, even charming. On March 8, when Russia held its annual International Women's Day celebrations, Putin appeared on television as he had the year before. Addressing the camera, he praised Russian women for "taking care of our families and children every day." He recited poetry. Old Russian women watched this scene alone in their homes.