Policy recommendations changing families and sustainable societies policy contexts and diversity over the life course and across generations (2017) / Laura Carlson, Livia Sz. Oláh and Barbara Hobson (SU).

• These policy recommendations are based on main findings of the largescale EU Seventh Framework project, Changing families and sustainable societies: Policy contexts and diversity over the life course and across generations (FamiliesAndSocieties). This executive summary highlights a few of the key policy recommendations: • Policy makers ought to be aware of the remarkable diversity of family forms and relationships in contemporary Europe, and aim for a better understanding of the nature and mechanisms of family constellations beyond married couples with children. • Policy measures aiming to prevent/reduce the reproduction of vulnerability in families ought to be broad, complementary and embedded into a comprehensive strategy. They should comprise services addressing the needs of particularly vulnerable children as well as reconciliation policies, educational policies and other policy measures. Family constellations more at risk of vulnerability such as single parents, stepfamilies, large families, same-sex families, immigrant families and living-apart-together (LAT) relationships need to be addressed within their specific parameters. • More direct supports to youth are needed in most European countries, with the state playing an active role in enabling young people in their transition to adulthood. Financial independence is fundamental. However, the achievement of self-sufficiency is a process preferably supported with a social package encompassing education, housing, job market access, family benefits and social aid. • Law, policies and practices have to assess the effects of any privatization or transfer of care (for children, the elderly, frail individuals) back on the family as to all persons concerned, those receiving the care and the caregivers. Reconciliation of care and work should be supported by implementing care leaves not limited to young children, reducing working hours and allowing for greater flexibility in work time for adults in need. • To be able to design policies for sustainable societies we need to extend our knowledge on the new roles of men and women and their implications for families and societies. Family-friendly policies, such as parental leave, should consider both parents, as each of their time investments matters for child development. • Affordable child care, out of school care and recreation should be available, given the positive association between formal child care and positive child outcomes, which is stronger for children living in more disadvantaged environments. Early and universal access to formal child care is also one of the most efficient interventions to reduce disadvantages among immigrant children. • Education and information are key policy issues. Education of children reduces inequality in children’s life chances when they reach adulthood. Information and counselling for parents helps them to cope with parental roles, and raising awareness of employers—and society at large—enhances the understanding of challenges faced by parents. • Both labour market and family policies aimed at better reconciliation of work and family responsibilities are required to be supportive for the reallocation of paid and unpaid work between women and men, to diminish gender inequality in economic positions across the life course, and to promote rewarding contacts between generations. Policies aimed at reducing social and economic inequalities that favour the reconciliation of family life, private life and professional life will also help reduce children’s disadvantages and challenges associated with parents’ divorce or separation. 

Ämnesord

Social Sciences  (ssif)

Sociology  (ssif)

Sociology (excluding Social Work, Social Psychology and Social Anthropology)  (ssif)

Samhällsvetenskap  (ssif)

Sociologi  (ssif)

Sociologi (exklusive socialt arbete, socialpsykologi och socialantropologi)  (ssif)

Law  (ssif)

Law and Society  (ssif)

Juridik  (ssif)

Juridik och samhälle  (ssif)

Legal Science  (su)

rättsvetenskap  (su)

Indexterm och SAB-rubrik

families

society

law