The term ‘rush hour of life’ refers to the phase between the ages of 25 and 45 in which life’s major tasks are concentrated – starting a family, building a career and, increasingly, also caring for one’s parents. At an event on May 18th, organised by the Nordic Embassies in Germany, Population Europe and the Herbert Quandt-Foundation, researchers, experts and politicians from six different countries focused on disparities in family policies in the Nordic countries and in Germany.