PRACA ORYGINALNA
Large Families in the EU Countries: A Comparison of Support Schemes and Outcomes
 
Więcej
Ukryj
1
Institute of Sociology, Lithuanian Centre for Social Sciences, Lithuania
 
 
Data nadesłania: 27-11-2024
 
 
Data ostatniej rewizji: 17-04-2025
 
 
Data akceptacji: 02-06-2025
 
 
Data publikacji online: 27-06-2025
 
 
Data publikacji: 27-06-2025
 
 
Autor do korespondencji
Kristina Senkuviene   

Institute of Sociology, Lithuanian Centre for Social Sciences, A. Goštauto st. 9, LT-01108, Vilnius, Lithuania
 
 
 
SŁOWA KLUCZOWE
DZIEDZINY
STRESZCZENIE
While knowledge about family policy in the European Union (EU) has increased considerably in the last two decades, we know relatively little about policies directed at large families. This paper aims to compare family support schemes affecting large families in the EU countries. Based on welfare regimes and family support models (Esping-Andersen, 1990; Korpi, 2000; Kuronen 2010), we categorize the selected EU countries into five groups, and we explore what configuration of support measures is most effective in meeting the needs of large families, and what are the outcomes of family policy in each country and group of countries. Our analysis is based on previous literature review, and MISSOC and Eurostat data. The findings show that the needs of large families are most effectively met (as evidenced by high rates of third and higher order births, high total fertility rates and relatively low rates of poverty and social exclusion), first, in the Nordic countries, second, in Continental countries, and third, in the examined post-socialist countries. The support for large families is still dependent on the overall design (support to families with children) and generosity (monetary inputs) of the family policy of the given country, and the differences between countries can still be explained by the ideal-typical family policy model prevailing in the country.
REFERENCJE (55)
1.
Aidukaite, J. (2021a). Family support systems in the Baltic and Nordic countries: An explorative overview. In J. Aidukaite, S.E.O. Hort & S. Kuhle (eds.), Challenges to the welfare state: Family and pension policies in the Baltic and Nordic countries (11–32). Edward Elgar Publishing.
 
2.
Aidukaite, J. (2021b). Support to families with children in the Baltic States: Pathways of expansion and retrenchment from 2004 to 2019. In B. Greve (ed.), Handbook on austerity, populism and the welfare state (221–242). Edward Elgar Publishing.
 
3.
Aidukaitė, J., Bogdanova, N., & Guogis, A. (2012). Gerovės valstybės kūrimas Lietuvoje: mitas ar realybė? Lietuvos socialinių tyrimų institutas.
 
4.
Arts, W. & Gelissen, J. (2002). Three worlds of welfare capitalism or more? Journal of European Social Policy, 12(2), 137–158. https://doi.org/10.1177/095287....
 
5.
Bradshaw, J., Finch, N., Mayhew, E., Ritakallio, V.M., & Skinner, Ch. (2006). Child poverty in large families. University of York. https://www.jrf.org.uk/child-p....
 
6.
Bujard, M. & Sulak, H. (2016). Mehr Kinderlose oder weniger Kinderreiche? Kölner Zeitschrift für Soziologie und Sozialpsychologie, 68(3), 487–514. DOI 10.1007/s11577-0160373-6.
 
7.
Bujard, M., Brehm, U., Lück, D., Lux, L., Schneider, N. F., & Sulak, H. (2019). Kinderreiche Familien in Deutschland. Auslaufmodell oder Lebensentwurf für die Zukunft? Bundesinstitut für Bevölkerungsforschung.
 
8.
Canavan, J. (2012). Family and family change in Ireland: An overview. Journal of Family Issues, 33(1), 10–28. https://doi.org/10.1177/019251....
 
9.
Department of Social Security of Malta. (2020). Children’s allowance and child birth or adoption bonus – annual income less than threshold. https://socialsecurity.gov.mt/....
 
10.
Emmenegger, P., Kvist, J., Marx, P., & Petersen, K. (2015). Three worlds of welfare capitalism: The making of a classic. Journal of European Social Policy, 25(1), 3–13. https://doi.org/10.1177/095892....
 
11.
Esping-Andersen, G. (1990). The three worlds of welfare capitalism. Polity Press.
 
12.
Esping-Andersen, G. (1999). Social foundations of postindustrial economies. Oxford University Press.
 
13.
Esping-Andersen, G. (2009). The incomplete revolution: Adapting to women’s new roles. Polity Press.
 
14.
Estevez-Abe, M. & Hobson, B. (2015). Outsourcing domestic (care) work: The politics, policy, and political economy. Social Politics: International Studies in Gender, State & Society, 22(2), 133–146. https://doi.org/10.1093/sp/jxv....
 
15.
Eurostat. (2011). Total fertility rate. https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/....
 
16.
Eurostat. (2016). Total fertility rate, percentage of third and higher-order births, share of GDP for family/children, share of children under 18 at risk of poverty and social exclusion, share of children under three in formal care. https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/....
 
17.
Eurostat. (2021). Total fertility rate, percentage of third and higher-order births, share of GDP for family/children, share of children under 18 at risk of poverty and social exclusion, share of children under three in formal care. https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/....
 
18.
Eurostat. (2022). Total fertility rate. https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/....
 
19.
Fahey, T. & Spéder, Z. (2004). Fertility and family issues in an enlarged Europe. https://www.esri.ie/publicatio....
 
20.
Frejka, T. (2008). Parity distribution and completed family size in Europe: Incipient decline of two-child family model Demographic Research, 19(4), 47–72. https://www.demographic-resear....
 
21.
Gauthier, A.H. (2007). The impact of family policies on fertility in industrialized countries: A review of the literature. Population Research and Policy Review, 26(3), 323–346. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11113....
 
22.
Grødem, A.S. (2017). Family-oriented policies in Scandinavia and the challenge of immigration. Journal of European Social Policy, 27(1), 77–89. https://doi.org/10.1177/095892....
 
23.
Hakovirta, M. & Nygård, M. (2021). Nordic family policy in the 2000s: From a ‘transferbased’ towards a ‘service-based’ family policy? In J. Aidukaite, S.E.O. Hort & S. Kuhle (eds.), Challenges to the welfare state: Family and pension policies in the Baltic and Nordic countries (52–72). Edward Elgar Publishing.
 
24.
Hantrais, L. (2004). Family policy matters: Responding to family change in Europe. Policy Press.
 
25.
Hiilamo, H. (2002). Family policy models and family policy outcomes – a Nordic perspective. Luxembourg Income Study Working Paper No. 290. https://www.academia.edu/31036....
 
26.
Hobson, B. (2018). Gendered dimensions and capabilities: Opportunities, dilemmas and challenges. Critical Sociology, 44(6), 883–898. https://doi.org/10.1177/089692....
 
27.
Irish Government. (2020). Back to Work Family Dividend. https://www.citizensinformatio....
 
28.
Javornik, J. (2014). Measuring state de-familialism: Contesting post-socialist exceptionalism. Journal of European Social Policy, 24(3), 240–257. https://doi.org/10.1177/095892....
 
29.
Kela – Finnish Social Insurance Institution. (2020). Child home care allowance. https://www.kela.fi/child-home....
 
30.
Korpi, W. (2000). Faces of inequality: Gender, class, and patterns of inequalities in different types of welfare states. Social Politics, 7(2), 127–192. https://doi.org/10.1093/sp/7.2....
 
31.
Kuitto, K. (2016). Post-communist welfare states in European context: Patterns of welfare policies in Central and Eastern Europe. Edward Elgar Publishing.
 
32.
Kuronen, M. (2010). Research on families and family policies in Europe: State of the art. https://www.researchgate.net/p....
 
33.
Leibfried, S. (1992). Towards a European welfare state? On integrating poverty regimes in the European Community. In Z. Ferge & J.E. Kolberg (eds.), Social policy in a changing Europe (245–280). Campus Verlag.
 
34.
Leitner, S. (2003). Varieties of familialism: The caring function of the family in comparative perspective. European Societies, 5(4), 353–375. https://doi.org/10.1080/146166....
 
35.
Letablier, M.Th., Luci, A., Math, A., & Thevenon, O. (2009). The costs of raising children and the effectiveness of policies to support parenthood in European countries: A literature review. https://www.researchgate.net/p....
 
36.
Lohmann, H. & Zagel, H. (2016). Family policy in comparative perspective: The concepts and measurement of familization and defamilization. Journal of European Social Policy, 26(1), 48–65. https://doi.org/10.1177/095892....
 
37.
Lohmann, H., Peter, F. H., Rostgaard, T., & Spiess, K. (2009). Towards a framework for assessing family policies in the EU. OECD Social, Employment and Migration Working Papers, 88. http://dx.doi.org/10.1787/2238....
 
38.
McDonald, P. (2000). The “toolbox” of public policies to impact fertility – A global view. https://www.researchgate.net/p....
 
39.
MISSOC. (2016). Comparative tables database. https://www.missoc.org/missoc-....
 
40.
MISSOC. (2021). Comparative tables database. https://www.missoc.org/missoc-....
 
41.
Mynarska, M., Riederer, B., Jaschinski, I., Krivanek, D., Neyer, G., & Oláh, L. (2015). Vulnerability of families with children: Major risks, future challenges and policy recommendations. FamiliesAndSocieties Working Paper, 44. http://www.familiesandsocietie....
 
42.
Nieuwenhuis, R., Need, A., & Kolk, H. (2019). Family policy as an institutional context of economic inequality. Acta Sociologica, 62(1), 64–80. https://doi.org/10.1177/000169....
 
43.
OECD (2023) OECD Family Database. https://www.oecd.org/en/data/d....
 
44.
Oláh, L. (2015). Changing families in the European Union: Trends and policy implications. Analytical paper prepared for the United Nations Expert Group Meeting “Family policy development: achievements and challenges”, New York, May 14–15, 2015. https://www.un.org/esa/socdev/....
 
45.
Oláh, L., & Neyer, G. (2021). Demographic challenges of Europe in the new millennium: Swedish family policies as an answer to them. In J. Aidukaite, S.E.O. Hort & S. Kuhle (eds.), Challenges to the welfare state: Family and pension policies in the Baltic and Nordic countries (33–52). Edward Elgar Publishing.
 
46.
Pearce, D., Laihonen, A., & Cantisani, G. (1999). Changes in fertility and family size in Europe. Population Trends, 95, 33–40. https://www.researchgate.net/p....
 
47.
Stankūnienė, V., Maslauskaitė, A., & Baublytė, M. (2013). Ar Lietuvos šeimos bus gausesnės? Lietuvos socialinių tyrimų centras.
 
48.
Szikra, D. (2018). Welfare for the wealthy: The social policy of the Orbán-regime, 2010–2017. Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung. https://library.fes.de/pdf-fil....
 
49.
Therborn, G. (2017). The ‘people’s home’ is falling down, time to update your view on Sweden. Sociologisk Forskning, 54(4), 275–278. https://doi.org/10.37062/sf.54....
 
50.
Thevenon, O. (2011). Family policies in OECD countries: A comparative analysis. Population and Development Review, 37(1), 57–87. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1728....
 
51.
Thevenon, O. & Gauthier, A. (2011). Family policies in developed countries: A “fertilitybooster” with side-effects. Community, Work & Family, 197–216. https://doi.org/10.1080/136688....
 
52.
UK Government. (2020). Child Benefit – High Income Child Benefit Charge. https://www.gov.uk/child-benef....
 
53.
Wendt, C., Mischke, M., & Pfeifer, M. (2011). Welfare states and public opinion: Perceptions of healthcare systems, family policy and benefits for the unemployed and poor in Europe. Edward Elgar Publishing.
 
54.
Wennemo, I. (1994). Sharing the cost of children: Study on the development of family support in the OECD countries. Doctoral Dissertation Series, No. 25. Swedish Institute for Social Research, Stockholm University.
 
55.
Yerkes, A. M. & Javornik, J. (2018). Creating capabilities: Childcare policies in comparative perspective. Journal of European Social Policy, 29(4), 529–544. https://doi.org/10.1177/095892....
 
ISSN:1640-1808
Journals System - logo
Scroll to top