Under the conditions of the market, the development of the economy must be of priority to the state, for the state cannot exist and be dynamic without such an economy and, consequently, there can be no question of any transformation of marriage, family relations, and the birthrate. A vital task in the development of the state has to do with changing the structure of the economy and making the transition to an innovative model of development, for which well-educated people are needed. Expanding the sphere of preschool and school education and upbringing is essential, as it is in the period before a child starts school that memory and imagination become developed and cognitive and communicative abilities are formed. To a large extent, preschool upbringing and instruction determine children's successful adaptation in school and their ability to learn and develop. Marriage patterns and reproductive behavior in Russia have undergone important changes in recent years, with profound implications for the nation as a whole. This article suggests that new public policies may be necessary to deal with the consequences. (Contains 4 tables and 3 figures.)