Family policy – variety of forms of family support

Franciszek Kampka

Szkoła Główna Gospodarstwa Wiejskiego w Warszawie

Abstract

Based on a review of the literature, the article discusses the main controversies in family policy design. The article addresses the challenges facing family policies and discusses the various forms and strategies of these policies. Family policy in social research can be the perspective through which government actions and the consequences of these actions for families are analyzed. It can be described through the assumed goals and courses of action, the structures within which it is implemented, the functions it performs, or the processes of change it initiates. In considering family policy, it is necessary to take into account activities that are directly aimed at families, as well as those that affect their condition indirectly. These are: 1) laws and actions concerning the composition of the family (issues of marriage, divorce, adoption, births, foster care), 2) economic support for families, 3) issues concerning the development of children (the ability of parents to nurture, raise and educate their children), 4) care (especially with regard to sick or disabled family members), 5) relationships, sustainability and stability of families. The purpose of the article is to point out the challenges posed by contemporary socio-cultural changes and the possible consequences of the policy models adopted.

Keywords:

family policy, family crisis, family support, care