Family Policy

This course explores family theories and policies from multiple perspectives, combining lectures and group discussions. Topics include Family Theories, changes in European fertility patterns, and regional contrasts in low fertility concerns. We will examine union formation and dissolution in Europe and investigate how organizations like the EU, OECD, and World Bank influence family policy. National policies, such as childcare services, parental leave programs, financial transfers, and support for reproductive health, will be analyzed for their impact on fertility outcomes. Additionally, the course delves into local family policies, labour market changes, and company-level family policies. Case studies of specific countries' family policies presented by guests and students (as an assignment) will provide practical insights. Students are expected to actively participate and engage with the literature to enrich discussions

The classes will consist of two activities: lectures (introduction to the topic) with students' active participation and group discussions based on previously announced literature (one paper or book chapter). The course will consist of the following topics:

Family Theories:

The First and Second Demographic Transition Theory

Changes in European fertility patterns: measures and statistics

Low fertility concerns: regional contrasts and main driving forces

Changes in the process of union formation and dissolution in Europe

Supra-national Perspective:

Beyond the National: How the EU, OECD, and World Bank Do Family Policy?

National Perspective:

Family Policies and Fertility Outcomes:

Childcare services

Parental leave programs

Financial transfers

Reproductive health: Support for people with biological barriers to conception

Impact of family policy “packages” on fertility

Sub-national Perspective:

Going Regional: Local Family Policy and Responses to Sub-national Differences

Organizational Perspective:

Labour Market Changes and Uncertainty: How Does It Affect Fertility Intentions and Realization?

Company-Level Family Policies: Who Has Access to Them?

Case Studies:

Country-specific Family Policy Examples

Primary:

Nieuwenhuis, R., & Van Lancker, W. (2020). The Palgrave handbook of family policy. Springer Nature.

Sobotka, T., Matysiak, A., & Brzozowska, Z. (2019). Policy responses to low fertility: How effective are they. United Nations Population Fund, 98.

Secondary:

Sobotka, T., & Berghammer, C. (2021). Demography of family change in Europe. In Research handbook on the sociology of the family (pp. 162-186). Edward Elgar Publishing.

Balbo, N., Billari, F. C., & Mills, M. (2013). Fertility in advanced societies: A review of research: La fécondité dans les sociétés avancées: Un examen des recherches. European Journal of Population/Revue europeenne de demographie, 29, 1-38.

Sassler, S., & Lichter, D. T. (2020). Cohabitation and marriage: Complexity and diversity in union‐formation patterns. Journal of Marriage and Family, 82(1), 35-61.

Matysiak, A., Styrc, M., & Vignoli, D. (2014). The educational gradient in marital disruption: A meta-analysis of European research findings. Population Studies, 68(2), 197-215.

The final grade is based on two components:

group discussions (25%)

preparation of in-class discussion questions based on a previously announced article/book chapter

active participation in the discussion

final presentation (75%)

each student is supposed to choose one country with a low fertility level and prepare around 20-30-minute presentation about policy packages aimed at increasing fertility

the presentation should consist of the following sections: basic statistics about fertility in the chosen country, possible explanations of fertility trends, a list of already implemented policies, evaluation, and students' suggestions for future policies