This book explores the process of coming of age in contemporary Russia. Through a sociological lens, the authors analyze the transition to adulthood for individuals from two social groups situated at opposite ends of the social stratification spectrum: the educated urban middle class and graduates of state-run orphanages. Young people from the urban middle class have access to a quality education and can leverage the resources of their families, which increases their chances of achieving social success and securing prestigious professional positions. In contrast, those who have experienced institutional care face a high risk of "social failure"—manifesting as unemployment, poverty, and marginalization. The study is grounded in unique empirical data, including interviews with young men and women, government officials, educators, and NGO staff, as well as an analysis of official documents and the pedagogical and cultural discourses surrounding childhood and adulthood.