Family Policies | Population Europe

01/12/16

Educated women aren‘t realising their fertility intentions

This gap is space for policy reform

Population ageing will continue to be one of Europe’s biggest long-term policy challenges in coming decades. Older populations have many advantages, but they also have very concrete costs—most notably on pensions, one of the foundations of modern-day welfare states. Longer lives, the result of better health and nutrition, is certainly part of the equation, but this can hardly be qualified as a problem. No, Europe is ageing, and—despite our intentions—low fertility is the reason. Low fertility is also the result of positive developments.

12/10/2016

4th Annual FamiliesAndSocieties Stakeholder Seminar

Policies for families: Is there a best practice?

What are the current trends in social policies related to families in Europe? What are the most important areas for future policy interventions? Are there best practices to be followed? These were the main questions discussed at the fourth FamiliesAndSocieties Stakeholder Seminar in Brussels. The event was chaired by Gerda Neyer (Associate Professor at Stockholm University) and Livia Sz. Oláh (Associate Professor at Stockholm University and Project Coordinator of FamiliesAndSocieties).

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13/09/2016

A Good Start

Irish fathers of all stripes are now entitled to paternity leave that’s paid

by Patrick I. Dick "Simply put, the more time that fathers can spend with their babies, the better. It’s a good thing for dads, for families, and for society."

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01/09/16

Good parents and bad jobs

Depending on the country, nonstandard work shifts can mean work-life reconciliation or a tough labour market

Nonstandard work shifts (NSS) are a controversial feature of labour markets. To some, they represent degradation of working conditions; to others, the flexibility needed to enter the labour market in tough times and reconcile work with home life.

13/07/2016

More than a Village

Eliminating motherhood penalties means rethinking how the cost of raising children is divided between men and women, their families, communities, employers and the state

by Irene Böckmann

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13/06/2016

The Changing Link Between Fertility, Gender, and Career in Europe

New evidence from Switzerland

The role of income and employment on fertility patterns has already been extensively explored in the existing literature. However, empirical evidence for such effects is surprisingly scarce for Switzerland. In this recent study, Doris Hanappi, Valérie-Anne Ryser and Laura Bernardi examine the way perceived job quality is associated with the intention to have a child for men and women in Switzerland.

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07/06/2016

Mind the Gap

Employment disparities leave ethnic minorities in the UK under-pensioned

by Athina Vlachantoni It’s no secret that some societal inequalities are not, shall we say, fair. Just do the numbers. Systemic income disparities between ethnic groups are found in many countries. Women earn less money than men in all of them. Pension gaps are the cumulative consequence.

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4th Annual FamiliesAndSocieties Stakeholder Seminar: Policies for families: Is there a best practice?

Thu Sep 29

Experts from research, policy, and NGOs will discuss in a confidential atmosphere the most recent findings of the project FamiliesAndSocieties. The following questions will be addressed:

27/05/2016

Care Up and Down

Five takeaways from the FamiliesAndSocieties European Policy Brief on intergenerational dependence

by Daniela Vono de Vilhena Whether we are sandwiched or stretched in mid-life is a matter of metaphorical consistency. How we care for our grandparents, parents and children is a matter of policy that affects just about everyone.