Question
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Section 3: Child, parental and family welfare in context
In this section, consideration is given to the social trends and contexts which influence children’s, parental and family welfare; and inform family support debates.
Social Trends
As Family support provision requires the attention of policy makers and diversion of stateresources toensure thattheneeds offamilies andchildrenare met, itis important to consider social trends across the European context (Abela et al., 2021). The national compendium of reports provides an overview of these social trends in context which arepresented below todemonstratethebreadthof social issues to which Family support provisions are relevant. These can include:
Changing Demographics: In recent years, many European countries have witnessed similar macro-social changes and challenges (e.g., changing family structures, falling fertility rates, increasing maternal employment, and increase in lone parent households) (Abela et al., 2021). Changes and developments in family demographics and dynamics is an area that needs attention in policy development.
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Social Exclusion: Abela and colleagues (2021) examined a large set of indicators to provide both a country level and a comparative overview in the field of social exclusion and welfare. These included: at-risk-of-poverty rateboth forthe overal population and children (0-17); severe material deprivation rate for the overall population and children. This analysis revealed that while some regions struggle with high poverty rates (e.g., Western Balkan Group followed by the Eastern European Group & Southern Group) a key trend is that across Europe (including in the Scandinavian, Central Western groups), is that the at risk of poverty rates tend to be higher for children indicating a need to attend to the circumstances of families to address this issue. This analysis also revealed that certain social groups, such as people with disabilities, lone parents, and in particular Roma have a higher risk of social exclusion (Abela et al., 2021).
Social Issues: Differential treatment of marginalised groups is also a concern as Slovenia reports unequal access to rights for immigrant, Roma, poor and LGBT groups, and Malta notes that the percentage of persons with disability who have a job is still very low when compared to that of the general population. Gender equality remains an issue in many countries (Lithuania, Malta, Croatia, Sweden) while domestic violence is also an area of concern (Poland, UK, Malta) (Abela et al., 2021).
Educational outcomes: European countries can also vary in terms of equitable educational outcomes. Early school leaving rates are high in the Southern countries and are above the EU target, with the exception of Portugal. Early school leaving is also an important problem in Bulgaria and Romania (14-15%) in the Eastern Group, and Hungary (12%) in the central group, but rates are below 10% in all the other countries in these regions.
Adequate Housing: is also a key provision for healthy child development. Overcrowding rates are also very high in Eastern Central countries exceeding 20% (with the exception of Czechia), and also 35% in Poland and Croatia. In the Balkans, the overcrowding rate exceeds 40%, and even 60% in Albania and Montenegro. In the Southern countries, overcrowding rates are low, also compared to Scandinavian countries. An important exception is Italy, where the overcrowding rate is 28% (Abela et al., 2021).
These social and demographic trends can present challenges for policy, particularly if entrenched poverty and social exclusion are to be addressed (Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Albania, Montenegro and Serbia), social assistance infrastructure needs to be developed (Bosnia Herzegovina, Croatia) or income inequality persists due to a failure to consider low-income families (Hungary, France, Norway). Attention needs to be paid to emerging family forms given the rise of lone parent families (Malta
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and Czechia) as this has relevance for policy measures designed to combat social exclusion. However, addressing these policy challenges requires adequate resources to be directed towards social provision, and a lack of adequate resources has been cited as an issue in many countries across the European context (Albania, Lithuania, Italy, Hungary, Romania, Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia Herzegovina, Ireland & the UK). This can also have implications for service sustainability (Serbia and Bulgaria) (Abela et al., 2021). The global COVID-19 pandemic and its recovery, and the impact of the war in Ukraine continues to impact negatively on the European economy. Ensuring the increasing number of involuntarily displaced children, parents and family members receive the supports required and deserved presents an added challenge for European countries.
Digitalisation of Society: Our contemporary times incorporate rapid digitalisation of all aspects of society. This presents new opportunities but also new risks. There is a need to safeguard children's rights and welfare adequately on digital platforms and in the online environment which presents risks for their welfare and mental health. On the other hand, we have new opportunities to harness opportunities arising from new forms of ‘digital and virtual’ family support (Livingstone et al., 2020; Canário et al., 2022).
Section 3: Child, parental and family welfare in context
In this section, consideration is given to the social trends and contexts which influence children’s, parental and family welfare; and inform family support debates.
Social Trends
As Family support provision requires the attention of policy makers and diversion of stateresources toensure thattheneeds offamilies andchildrenare met, itis important to consider social trends across the European context (Abela et al., 2021). The national compendium of reports provides an overview of these social trends in context which arepresented below todemonstratethebreadthof social issues to which Family support provisions are relevant. These can include:
Changing Demographics: In recent years, many European countries have witnessed similar macro-social changes and challenges (e.g., changing family structures, falling fertility rates, increasing maternal employment, and increase in lone parent households) (Abela et al., 2021). Changes and developments in family demographics and dynamics is an area that needs attention in policy development.
A framework for child and family support in Europe | 14
Social Exclusion: Abela and colleagues (2021) examined a large set of indicators to provide both a country level and a comparative overview in the field of social exclusion and welfare. These included: at-risk-of-poverty rateboth forthe overal population and children (0-17); severe material deprivation rate for the overall population and children. This analysis revealed that while some regions struggle with high poverty rates (e.g., Western Balkan Group followed by the Eastern European Group & Southern Group) a key trend is that across Europe (including in the Scandinavian, Central Western groups), is that the at risk of poverty rates tend to be higher for children indicating a need to attend to the circumstances of families to address this issue. This analysis also revealed that certain social groups, such as people with disabilities, lone parents, and in particular Roma have a higher risk of social exclusion (Abela et al., 2021).
Social Issues: Differential treatment of marginalised groups is also a concern as Slovenia reports unequal access to rights for immigrant, Roma, poor and LGBT groups, and Malta notes that the percentage of persons with disability who have a job is still very low when compared to that of the general population. Gender equality remains an issue in many countries (Lithuania, Malta, Croatia, Sweden) while domestic violence is also an area of concern (Poland, UK, Malta) (Abela et al., 2021).
Educational outcomes: European countries can also vary in terms of equitable educational outcomes. Early school leaving rates are high in the Southern countries and are above the EU target, with the exception of Portugal. Early school leaving is also an important problem in Bulgaria and Romania (14-15%) in the Eastern Group, and Hungary (12%) in the central group, but rates are below 10% in all the other countries in these regions.
Adequate Housing: is also a key provision for healthy child development. Overcrowding rates are also very high in Eastern Central countries exceeding 20% (with the exception of Czechia), and also 35% in Poland and Croatia. In the Balkans, the overcrowding rate exceeds 40%, and even 60% in Albania and Montenegro. In the Southern countries, overcrowding rates are low, also compared to Scandinavian countries. An important exception is Italy, where the overcrowding rate is 28% (Abela et al., 2021).
These social and demographic trends can present challenges for policy, particularly if entrenched poverty and social exclusion are to be addressed (Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Albania, Montenegro and Serbia), social assistance infrastructure needs to be developed (Bosnia Herzegovina, Croatia) or income inequality persists due to a failure to consider low-income families (Hungary, France, Norway). Attention needs to be paid to emerging family forms given the rise of lone parent families (Malta
A framework for child and family support in Europe | 15
and Czechia) as this has relevance for policy measures designed to combat social exclusion. However, addressing these policy challenges requires adequate resources to be directed towards social provision, and a lack of adequate resources has been cited as an issue in many countries across the European context (Albania, Lithuania, Italy, Hungary, Romania, Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia Herzegovina, Ireland & the UK). This can also have implications for service sustainability (Serbia and Bulgaria) (Abela et al., 2021). The global COVID-19 pandemic and its recovery, and the impact of the war in Ukraine continues to impact negatively on the European economy. Ensuring the increasing number of involuntarily displaced children, parents and family members receive the supports required and deserved presents an added challenge for European countries.
Digitalisation of Society: Our contemporary times incorporate rapid digitalisation of all aspects of society. This presents new opportunities but also new risks. There is a need to safeguard children's rights and welfare adequately on digital platforms and in the online environment which presents risks for their welfare and mental health. On the other hand, we have new opportunities to harness opportunities arising from new forms of ‘digital and virtual’ family support (Livingstone et al., 2020; Canário et al., 2022).
Answers
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GPT-4o mini
This section discusses the social trends influencing child, parental, and family welfare in Europe, highlighting the need for policy attention to family support provision. Key trends include:
1. **Changing Demographics**: Many European nations are experiencing shifts in family structures, such as declining fertility rates, increased maternal employment, and a rise in lone-parent households, necessitating policy adaptation.
2. **Social Exclusion**: The analysis reveals that children are at a higher risk of poverty across Europe, particularly in specific regions, with marginalized groups like lone parents and Roma facing significant social exclusion challenges.
3. **Social Issues**: Discrimination against marginalized groups is evident in various countries, as are issues of gender inequality and domestic violence.
4. **Educational Outcomes**: There is a disparity in educational achievement, with high early school leaving rates in Southern and Eastern European countries.
5. **Adequate Housing**: Housing conditions, particularly overcrowding, pose significant challenges to child development, especially in Eastern and Balkan countries.
Overall, these trends create policy challenges, particularly in addressing entrenched poverty and ensuring adequate resources for social provision. The COVID-19 pandemic and the conflict in Ukraine further compound these issues, particularly for displaced families. Additionally, the digitalization of society presents new opportunities and risks for child welfare that must be navigated carefully.
1. **Changing Demographics**: Many European nations are experiencing shifts in family structures, such as declining fertility rates, increased maternal employment, and a rise in lone-parent households, necessitating policy adaptation.
2. **Social Exclusion**: The analysis reveals that children are at a higher risk of poverty across Europe, particularly in specific regions, with marginalized groups like lone parents and Roma facing significant social exclusion challenges.
3. **Social Issues**: Discrimination against marginalized groups is evident in various countries, as are issues of gender inequality and domestic violence.
4. **Educational Outcomes**: There is a disparity in educational achievement, with high early school leaving rates in Southern and Eastern European countries.
5. **Adequate Housing**: Housing conditions, particularly overcrowding, pose significant challenges to child development, especially in Eastern and Balkan countries.
Overall, these trends create policy challenges, particularly in addressing entrenched poverty and ensuring adequate resources for social provision. The COVID-19 pandemic and the conflict in Ukraine further compound these issues, particularly for displaced families. Additionally, the digitalization of society presents new opportunities and risks for child welfare that must be navigated carefully.