The Concept of «Family Confidentiality» in the Russian Legal Doctrine

The study of the legal category of «family secrecy» is driven by a paradoxical situation in Russian law. On the one hand, the country’s Constitution guarantees everyone the inviolability of family secrecy; on the other hand, there is no statutory definition of «family secrecy», the boundaries separating it from other types of secrecy are not delineated, and neither its scope nor its subjects are defined. An analysis of a vast but fragmented body of materials on this topic has made it possible to identify a number of specific characteristics that determine the essence and nature of family secrecy as a distinct type of secrecy. The study explores the relationship between the concept of «family secrecy» and related notions such as «personal secrecy» and «privacy». Special attention is paid to the legal aspect of the concept of «family». Various formulations of this concept are considered through the prism of their theoretical validity and practical applicability. The results of the research substantiate the necessity of developing a more inclusive and dynamic understanding of the family that can reflect contemporary social realities and account for the diversity of life strategies. The analysis of proposed definitions, legislative acts, and academic literature has made it possible to construct an interdisciplinary definition of «family», and to consider family secrecy both as a distinct type of secrecy and as an interdisciplinary legal institution.