Restructuring Family Policies

Recent years have seen significant changes in the social policies of many liberal welfare-states; this is especially true of social programs for families with children. Increasingly, governments are making family policy trade-offs, reducing support for some families but improving it for others. Why are such trade-offs occurring, and how do governments differ in their approach to family social policy? This study addresses these questions by examining the political, demographic, and socio-economic factors influencing the restructuring of family-related programs in OECD countries.Adopting a feminist political economy approach, Maureen Baker shows that while some governments encourage their citizens to see children as 'future resources,' and promote strong support for reproductive health programs, child welfare services, women's refuges, subsidized childcare, and pay equity, others make these claims while simultaneously reducing family incomes through the deregulation of labour markets and restrictions on income support. Ultimately, Baker demonstrates that nation states with the best outcomes for families offer a variety of social supports, which are increasingly important as global markets reduce economic security for some families while improving the financial situation of others. This study also explores strategies employed by states to incorporate or resist international pressures, and the reasons why some states tenaciously defend their family policy traditions while others restructure according to international guidelines.Drawing from nation-based research, cross-national studies, and international data bases, Restructuring Family Policies successfully integrates mainstream academic debates about restructuring welfare states with feminist research findings and current policy concerns.

ISBN 0802085717   Pages 336 ISBN13 9780802085719 (What's this?)   Volumes 1 Publisher University of Toronto Press   Weight (grammes) 400 Imprint University of Toronto Press   Published in Toronto Format Paperback   Height (mm) 224 Publication date 11 Mar 2006   Width (mm) 150 Library of Congress HQ   Spine width (mm) 17 DEWEY 362.82561   Academic level Undergraduate, Postgraduate DEWEY edition DC22

1		Restructuring family policies		3
2		Socio-demographic changes and family policy restructuring		23
3		Welfare regimes, national politics, and family policies		41
4		Growing internationalization and family policies		65
5		Reproductive health and childbirth		84
6		Work, gender, and parenthood		113
7		The care and welfare of children		143
8		Social housing and income support		168
9		Divorce, child support, and international migration		209
10		Strengthening and reducing family support		235

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