Person: Hank
Hank
Karsten
Ageing and Life Expectancy
Family and Children
Health
Society and Solidarity
Working Life
Person: López Gay
López Gay
Antonio
Ageing and Life Expectancy
Family and Children
Migration and Integration
Projections and Forecasts
Society and Solidarity
Are Married People Happier?

Are Married People Happier?

Differences in subjective wellbeing among cohabitating and married couples
Numerous studies have been published that have examined subjective wellbeing (SWB) and marriage status, finding that married people tend to have a higher SWB. But in today’s society, more couples are opting for cohabitation, which includes many benefits associated with marriage. This then leaves the question of whether individuals who cohabit have similar levels of SWB as married people.

Perelli-Harris et al. investigated whether individuals who cohabit have similar levels of subjective wellbeing (SWB) as married people. They studied events and characteristics correlated with entrance into marriage; whether marriage may be more advantageous for those with a lower or higher tendency to marry; and, finally, whether there is variation by country and gender between partnership type and SWB.

Birth Weight Matters for Both Short- and Long-Term Health Outcomes

Birth Weight Matters for Both Short- and Long-Term Health Outcomes

To date, a large number of researchers have documented associations between lower birth weight and a range of health problems later in life. However, for a substantial amount of existing studies, it is unclear whether these associations reflect causality. Aiming at providing causal evidence in this field of research, Jonas Helgertz (University of Minnesota and Lund University) and Anton Nilsson (Lund University) analysed full-population Swedish register data on siblings and twins born between 1973 and 1994, and followed until 2011.

Jonas Helgertz (University of Minnesota and Lund University) and Anton Nilsson (Lund University) analysed full-population Swedish register data on siblings and twins born between 1973 and 1994, and followed until 2011. This is one of the first studies to look at the effect of birth weight on sick days in adulthood.

News: Kieron Barclay Appointed as Pro Futura Scientia XIV Fellow

Kieron Barclay Appointed as Pro Futura Scientia XIV Fellow

The Sociology Department at Stockholm University announced that docent of Sociology Kieron Barclay was recently appointed a Pro Futura Scientia XIV Fellow, with the project "The Impact of the Family of Origin on Health Inequalities: A Global, Historical, Multigenerational, and Comparative Perspective". The appointment is a five year research grant that includes Kieron Barclay being employed as a senior lecturer at the end of the five-year period.

The Sociology Department at Stockholm University announced that docent of Sociology Kieron Barclay was recently appointed a Pro Futura Scientia XIV Fellow, with the project "The Impact of the Family of Origin on Health Inequalities: A Global, Historical, Multigenerational, and Comparative Perspective".

Does Family Structure Relate to Children’s Physical Health?

Does Family Structure Relate to Children’s Physical Health?

New study looks at respiratory health, being overweight and accidental injuries
A new study based on the Millennium Cohort Study, a nationally-representative longitudinal survey of children born in 2000-2 and living in the United Kingdom, explored the association between family structure trajectories and early physical health, as opposed to more commonly reported outcomes such as cognitive development or behaviour in older children.

A new study based on the Millennium Cohort Study, a nationally-representative longitudinal survey of children born in 2000-2 and living in the United Kingdom, explored the association between family structure trajectories and early physical health, as opposed to more commonly reported outcomes such as cognitive development or behaviour in older children.

Books and Reports: Inequalities in the Access of Young People to Information and Support Services

Inequalities in the Access of Young People to Information and Support Services

Read the report here
In recent years, concerns have been expressed at EU and national level that the combined stresses arising from school, parental expectations and societal pressures can make the transition to adulthood difficult for young people – with the risk of a long-lasting negative impact. One way of easing the transition is to provide appropriate information and support services during these critical life-changing years. However, it appears that not all young people have access to such services.

This report describes the characteristics of the young people who face most difficulties in accessing social and health services, the types of services most relevant to them and the main challenges they face in accessing information and support services. It also looks at what service providers can do to ensure they reach young people in need of their support and presents innovative examples of how to tackle inequalities in access to services.

Books and Reports: Progress of the World's Women 2019-2020: Families in a changing world

Progress of the World's Women 2019-2020: Families in a changing world

Read the report here
Families around the world look, feel, and live differently today. Families can be "make or break" for women and girls when it comes to achieving their rights. They can be places of love, care, and fulfillment but, too often, they are also spaces where women’s and girls’ rights are violated, their voices are stifled, and where gender inequality prevails. In today’s changing world, laws and policies need to be based on the reality of how families live.

At a critical juncture for women’s rights, this landmark report proposes a comprehensive family-friendly policy agenda to advance gender equality in diverse families. A package of policies to deliver this agenda is affordable for most countries, according to a costing analysis included in the report. When families are places of equality and justice, economies and societies thrive and unlock the full potential of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The report shows that achieving the SDGs depends on promoting gender equality within families.

Is It All About Happiness?

Is It All About Happiness?

The latest evidence on wellbeing and childbearing decisions in Europe
Download Population & Policy Compact 22/2019 (1.22 MB)
Key messages: Policies and services aimed at promoting work-life balance should sustain the wellbeing of parents, in particular mothers. Wellbeing following the first child is a key element leading to the progression to the second birth. This parity should constitute the main target for family and fertility policies. Securing stable employment and decent housing at younger ages for men and women are necessary measures for the onset of childbearing and to close the gap between desired and realised fertility intentions in Europe.

Policies and services aimed at promoting work-life balance should sustain the wellbeing of parents, in particular mothers; Wellbeing following the first child is a key element leading to the progression to the second birth. This parity should constitute the main target for family and fertility policies; Securing stable employment and decent housing at younger ages for men and women are necessary measures for the onset of childbearing and to close the gap between desired and realised fertility intentions in Europe; Norms enforcing the uptake of parental leave by both men and women are necessary in order to increase the wellbeing of parents.

Books and Reports: Are the World’s Richest Countries Family Friendly? Policy in the OECD and EU

Are the World’s Richest Countries Family Friendly? Policy in the OECD and EU

Read the report here
Children get a better start in life and parents are better able to balance work and home commitments in countries that have family-friendly policies. These include paid parental leave, support for breastfeeding and affordable, high-quality childcare and preschool education.

This report looks at family-friendly policies in 41 high- and middle-income countries using four country-level indicators: the duration of paid leave available to mothers; the duration of paid leave reserved specifically for fathers; the share of children below the age of three in childcare centres; and the share of children  between the age of three and compulsory school age in childcare or preschool centres.

Subscribe to Family and Children