The main aim of this paper is to offer a reflection about the different EU welfare states support in relation to work-family balance. In order to achieve this goal, it has been developed a descriptive analysis of Work-Family Policies in Europe and the families/parent’s current situation through some Second Demography Transition indicators. In addition, based on a critical literature review of sociological studies on Work/Family Policies Impact it is presented a reflection about the expected consequences of the different political practices according to diverse social contexts.
This work allows us to observe the objectives and values that have inspired the European Conciliation Policies in recent years in a way that have been promoting individuals as the focus of inspirations and units of analysis and, a mean to reach other structural objectives such as a higher GDP, a higher level of employment of both sexes, a higher level of gender equality,…) or promoting families as the first agencies providing essential needs. It has been observed that the former has been the predominant way of acting and the latter seems to be a new tendency.
Based on the data related to the government support through w-f policies and the socio-familiar indicators (SDT) it is offered a reflection about the position place to family by W-F Balance Policies in Europe. This makes us wonder about who are the losers in the present European Scenario of W-F Balance Policies. And about the impact of these policies on family as an institution.
This analysis will lead to a reflection on whether family and gender mainstreams are complementary or exclusives and to think about if Work/Family Policies have the same impact on all types of families.
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