Families, Children and the Welfare State

1. Families, Children and the Welfare State Families, Children and the Welfare State Family definitions Family functions A European comparison of family formation and family values Family, children and welfare state Wim van Oorschot Tilburg University 24-02-2006

2. Families, Children and the Welfare State • Family definitions The traditional extended family …a social institution, found in all societies and based on kinship ties, that unites individuals into cooperative groups that oversee the bearing and raising of children The modern nuclear family …a family of two married adults with their biological children, living under one roof The post-modern family “…people doing family things “

3. Families, Children and the Welfare State Family definitions • The diversity in post-modern families • married, unmarried • different sex, same sex • one, two, three…adults • biological children, non-biological children • first, second,…cohabitation • one, two,…roofs • Note: regional, class and ethnic differences

4. Families, Children and the Welfare State Family functions • Family functions • Socialisation • Regulation of sexual activity • Identity and social placement • Material security • Emotional security • Problematic aspects • Reproduction of inequality • Intra-familial violence • Suppression of females • Functional alternatives • Clubs, peergroups, neighbourhoods • The state takes over: day care, schools, corrective institutions

5. Families, Children and the Welfare State European comparison Trends Fertility rates and births out of wedlock (source: Eurostat)

6. Families, Children and the Welfare State European comparison Trends Marriages and divorces per 1000 inhabitants (source: Eurostat)

7. Families, Children and the Welfare State European comparison

8. Families, Children and the Welfare State European comparison

9. Families, Children and the Welfare State European comparison

10. Families, Children and the Welfare State European comparison

11. Families, Children and the Welfare State European comparison

12. Families, Children and the Welfare State European comparison

13. Families, Children and the Welfare State European comparison

14. Families, Children and the Welfare State European comparison 1. If someone says a child needs a home with both a father and a mother to grow up happily, would you tend to agree or disagree? 2. Do you think that a woman has to have children in order to be fulfilled or is this not necessary? 3. A marriage or a long-term stable relationship is necessary to be happy 4. A working mother can establish just as warm and secure a relationship with her children as a mother who does not work 5. A pre-school child is likely to suffer if his or her mother works

15. Families, Children and the Welfare State Welfare State • Reasons for welfare state support to families • Anti-Poverty • Promote general well-being and living standards • Good parenting • Pro-Fertility

16. Families, Children and the Welfare State Welfare State • Instruments • Income • child benefits, family allowances • child additions in social security benefits • tax credits for (working) families with children • local support by municipalities, charities, churches • Work • day care institutions • leave schemes: maternity leave, parental leave, care leave

17. Families, Children and the Welfare State Welfare State Instruments: Different models in Europe Scandinavia Universal state benefits and services, especially day care Western Europe State family allowances, child benefits, family additions in social security schemes Southern Europe Family support, low state welfare

18. Families, Children and the Welfare State Welfare State • New families, new welfare problems? • Families have become less stable and therefore less reliable sources of social and income support to their members • What to do? • Individualize welfare rights • Equal treatment of married and unmarried couples • Child benefits and family allowances to prime carer • More state services and schemes supporting work-care combination: day care, leave schemes

19. Families, Children and the Welfare State Welfare State Discussion Family support vs women’s emancipation?

20. Families, Children and the Welfare State Welfare State • Suggested reading • Gornick, J., & Meyers, M. (2003). Families that work: Policies for reconciling parenthood and employment. New York: Russell Sage Foundation. • Hantrais, L. (2004). Family policy matters: Responding to family change in Europe. Bristol: Policy Press. • Hantrais, L., & Letablier, M. T. (1996). Families and family policies in Europe. Essex: Longman. • Kangas, O., & Rostgaard, T. (2005). Preferences or care context: Opinions on family and employment in seven European countries. Paper presented at the Third Annual Conference of ESPAnet, 22-24 September, Fribourg University (CH). • Kaufmann, F. X., Kuijsten, A., Schulze, H. J., & Strohmeijer, K. (2002). Family life and family policies in Europe. Oxford: Oxford University Press. • Montanari, I. (2000). From family wage to marriage subsidy and child benefits: controversy and consensus in the development of family support. Journal of European Social Policy, 10(4), 307-323. • Popenoe, D. (1988). Disturbing the nest: family change and decline in modern societies. New York: Aldine De Gruyter. • Voicu, M. (2004). Work and family life in Europe: Value patterns and social policy making. In W. Arts & L. Halman (Eds.), European values at the turn of the Millennium. Leiden: Brill.