Page 127 - IJPS-11-3

International Journal of
Population Studies Family policy from a global perspective

countries rather than subgroups within countries. As a Conflict of interest
result, we have organized the results according to major
geographic world regions. The authors declare no conflict of interest.
The cultural divisions presented here align to a Author contributions
considerable extent with societal attitudes toward Conceptualization: Sonja Drobnič
demographic processes and governmental views on fertility Methodology: Johannes Huinink, Mandy Kusnierz
levels. In a broad sense, secularization, openness toward Writing-original draft: Sonja Drobnič
non-traditional family forms, greater gender equality, and Writing-review & editing: Johannes Huinink
less dependency on intergenerational family solidarity
are associated with a completed demographic transition Ethics approval and consent to participate
(Lesthaeghe, 2020). Governments in such countries tend to Not applicable.
view fertility rates as (too) low and, in many cases, pursue
policies to raise them. Within this context, comprehensive Consent for publication
family policy instruments that enhance family members’
well-being may be seen, at least in part, as pronatalist Not applicable.
population strategies. Indeed, it has been demonstrated that Availability of data
the family policy models that lead to an increase in fertility
are those that are both generous and incorporate a gender World Value Survey data are available at: https://www.
perspective (Gandasegui et al., 2021). Conversely, societies worldvaluessurvey.org
with deeply rooted religious norms, patriarchal gender roles,
and traditional views on family life are concerned about Further disclosure
rapid population growth. A generous family policy might An earlier draft of this paper appeared as a working paper
even be perceived as counterproductive in the context of entitled “Cultural underpinning for the development of
population policy. Furthermore, if family policy measures are family policy in a global perspective” in the Working Papers
perceived as defamiliarizing, altering gender relations, and Series of the SOCIUM - Research Center on Inequality and
promoting alternative family forms – actions that are often Social Policy and SFB 1342 – Global Dynamics of Social
considered destructive and immoral by citizens – such policy Policy, University of Bremen.
instruments may lack legitimacy and societal support due to
their perceived threat to deeply ingrained cultural values. References
Abramowski, R. (2020). Das Bisschen Haushalt. Zur Kontinuität
5. Conclusion Traditioneller Arbeitsteilung in Paarbeziehungen - Ein

In social policy research, especially in the context of Europäischer Vergleich [A Smidge of Housework. The
family policy, exploring the relationship between cultural Continuity of the Division of Labor in Couples - A European
conditions and country-specific policy measures is essential. Comparison]. Opladen, Berlin, Toronto: Budrich Academic
Press.
This aspect has often been neglected, although it could
enhance our understanding of the adoption or rejection of https://doi.org/10.3224/96665008
specific policy instruments beyond other influencing factors. Alwin, D.F., Braun, M., & Scott, J. (1992). The separation of work
While contrasting cultural conditions would greatly enhance and the family: Attitudes towards women’s labour-force
comparative research, the presence of data limitations and participation in Germany, Great Britain, and the United
challenges in collecting high-quality data pose significant States. European Sociological Review, 8(1):13-37.
hurdles in conducting cross-national comparisons. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.esr.a036620

Acknowledgments Bau, N., & Fernández, R. (2021). The Family as a Social Institution.
CEPR Discussion Paper 16263, London. Available from:
None. https://repec.cepr.org/repec/cpr/ceprdp/dp16263 pdf [Last
accessed on 2024 Jan 04].
Funding
Bogenschneider, K. (2006). Family Policy Matters: How
This paper is a product of the research conducted in the Policymaking Affects Families and what Professionals Can
Collaborative Research Center 1342 “Global Dynamics of Do. 2 ed. United States: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates
nd
Social Policy” at the University of Bremen. The center is funded Publishers.
by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Bogenschneider, K., & Corbett, T.J. (2010). Family policy:
Research Foundation) (project number 374666841-SFB 1342). Becoming a field of inquiry and subfield of social policy.

Volume 11 Issue 3 (2025) 121 https://doi.org/10.36922/ijps.1993