Policy packages for families with children in 11 European countries: Multiple approaches

Using the model family method, we compared the social and fiscal systems in 11 EU member states for providing financial resources to households with children. We then used these comparisons to answer the following questions: After the impact of various benefits and taxes, what is the difference in the net disposable income of a childless couple compared with a family with children where both families have the same income? To what extent are certain systems of transfers utilized as an instrument of horizontal redistribution? To what extent are certain transfers used as a means of vertical redistribution? How do transfers for families with an identical number of children vary according to the families' income levels?Austria is far and away the most generous country when it comes to cash provision to families. Nevertheless, levels of fertility remain low resembling those of Germany. Bringing up the rear at the opposite end of the spectrum is the Netherlands. France, Belgium, Austria, and to a lesser degree, Germany all tend to favour large families with France and Belgium becoming rather less favourable than the other two when it comes to providing assistance to couples and lone parent families with only one child. The Nordic countries, the UK and Ireland are all distinguished by a strong emphasis on vertical redistribution, favouring families with modest revenues. Our results confirm arguments in favor of promoting measures that place greater emphasis on benefits in kind over simple cash benefits

Turquie. Elections générales de juin 2011 : acteurs en lice et enjeux sociaux

Consultable sur : http://www.ires-fr.org/images/files/Chronique/chronique130/c130-3.pdfInternational audienc

Recent reforms in French and German family policies

Este artigo analisa se as reformas recentemente introduzidas nas políticas da família, tanto em França como na Alemanha, estão a direccionar os dois países para uma convergência. A Alemanha tem introduzido mudanças drásticas, especialmente um novo subsídio de licença parental, enquanto a França, por seu lado, optou por uma abordagem mais gradual que se tem traduzido por um reforço da promoção das suas políticas de conciliação trabalho-família juntamente com um aumento continuado da oferta de serviços de cuidados a crianças durante a última década. Apesar de um aumento na oferta global de equipamentos de cuidados a crianças, a Alemanha continua atrás da França neste domínio, fenómeno que pode ser parcialmente explicado por uma combinação de obstáculos institucionais, a persistência de normas sociais no que diz respeito aos cuidados a crianças com idades inferiores a três anos e uma procura excessiva. Defendemos que os principais motores para uma mudança paradigmática na Alemanha têm sido as preocupações com as consequências do declínio da fertilidade, da falta de trabalhadores qualificados e, segundo um estudo da OCDE, o desvanecimento de certezas sobre a educação infantil. Em França, as reformas nas políticas de licenças parentais têm apostado, por exemplo no maior encorajamento das mães a manter o vínculo laboral mesmo enquanto estão de licença. Mas, enquanto as reformas adoptadas por parte da Alemanha representam um corte radical com o antigo modelo masculino de provedor da família, as taxas de emprego das mães permanecem mais baixas do queemFrança e as mães alemãs trabalham com mais frequência a tempo parcial do que as suas homólogas francesas.This article investigates whether the recent reforms introduced in the family policies of both France and Germany are leading the two countries towards some measure of convergence. Germany has favoured dramatic changes, especially a new parental leave allowance, while France, for its part, has chosen a more gradual approach that has translated into an enhancement of its promotion ofwork-family reconciliation policies along with steady increases in spending related to childcare provision over the last decade. Despite a rise in its overall supply of childcare Germany still lags far behind France in this domain, aphenomenonthat can be partially explained by a combination of institutional obstacles, the persistence of social norms governing childcare for under- 3s, and excessive demand.We argue that the main drivers for paradigmatic change in Germany have been concerns over the consequences of declining fertility; a shortfall of qualified workers; and, the shattering of certitudes following an OECD study on childhood education. In France reforms in parental leave policies have been more incremental with, for example, mothers being encouraged to retain their links to theworkforce even while on leave. But while the reforms adopted by Germany represent a radical departure from the former ‘male-breadwinner model’, mothers’ employment rates remain lower than in France and German mothers work part-time with much greater frequency than their French counterparts.Nous analysons les réformes introduites depuis les années 1990 dans les politiques relatives aux aides à la conciliation travail/famille en France et en Allemagne et examinons si elles contribuent à une relative convergence dans ce domaine. L’Allemagne a réformé le congé parental (Elterngeld) en s’inspirant du modèle suédois, tandis que la France a poursuivi ses efforts en faveur des politiques d’accueil du jeune enfant sans pour autant modifier le dispositif du congé parental qui reste peu rémunéré. Outre-Rhin, tous les enfants âgés de trois à six ans bénéficient maintenant d’une place dans un jardin d’enfants, le plus souvent à temps partiel. L’accueil des enfants de moins de trois ans, en revanche, reste très limité. Des obstacles institutionnels, la persistance des normes éducatives et une forte demande expliquent ces différences entre les deux pays. Parmi les facteurs de changement, en Allemagne, figurent les préoccupations démographiques, la pénurie de travailleurs qualifiés et la volonté politique d’augmenter les taux d’emploi des mères, compte tenu de la diminution de la population active. La participation de celles-ci au marché du travail a beaucoup augmenté mais demeure moins élevée qu’en France et elles travaillent plus souvent à temps partiel que leurs homologues françaises. Onpeut conclure toutefois qu’on assiste à une relative convergence des politiques familiales des deux pays.Este artículo analiza si las reformas recientemente introducidas en las políticas de la familia, tanto en Francia como en Alemania, están direccionando a los dos países para una convergencia. Alemania ha introducido cambios drásticos, especialmente un nuevo subsidio de licencia parental. Francia, por su lado, optó por un abordaje más gradual que se ha traducido por un refuerzo de la promoción de sus políticas de conciliación trabajo-familia conjuntamente con un aumento continuado de la oferta de servicios de cuidado para niños durante la última década. Apesar de un aumento en la oferta global de equipamientos de cuidados para los niños, Alemania continua atrás de Francia en este dominio, fenómeno que puede ser parcialmente explicado por una combinación de obstáculos institucionales, la persistencia de normas sociales en lo que se refiere a los cuidados de niños con edades inferiores a tres años y una búsqueda excesiva. Nosotros defendemos que los principales motores para el cambio paradigmático en Alemania han sido las preocupaciones con las consecuencias del declive de la fertilidad, de la falta de trabajadores calificados y del desvanecimiento de certezas sobre educación infantil según un estudio de la OCDE. En Francia, las reformas en las políticas de licencias parentales han sido demayor destaque, como, por ejemplo, la valentía de las madres por mantener el vínculo laboral aún estando de licencia. Sin embargo, las reformas adoptadas por parte de Alemania representan un corte radical con el antiguo modelo masculino de proveedor de familia, las tazas de empleo de las madres permanecen más bajas que en Francia y las madres alemanas trabajan con más frecuencia de tiempo parcial de que sus homólogas francesas

Turquie. Rigueur budgétaire, austérité pour les travailleurs : encore et toujours ?

Consultable sur : http://www.ires-fr.org/images/files/Chronique/chronique127/c127-11.pdfInternational audienc

Turquie. Malgré sa victoire, l'AKP est confronté à de redoutables contradictions

Consultable sur : http://www.ires-fr.org/images/files/Chronique/chronique132/c132-2.pdfInternational audienc

The costs of raising children and the effectiveness of policies to support parenthood in European countries: a Literature Review

The purpose of this report is to produce an overview of available knowledge about the following issues:  the costs (to parents) of parenthood and of raising children in European Countries;  the effectiveness, in the short and long term, of various policy measures in avoiding or compensating for those costs; 8  the impact of different policy instruments aimed at supporting families according to various policy objectives, e.g. achieving family projects, reconciling family and working life, reducing child poverty, raising the levels of education and well being of children, and increasing equal opportunities.  the wider economic and social costs and benefits of policy interventions in support of families. The current state of knowledge on the following issues is presented as follows in this review report:  The costs of children and the challenges for public policies supporting parenthood (chapter 1); author: O. Thévenon  The policy instruments used in the EU to support families and reduce the costs of parenthood (Chapter 2); authors: A. Math and O. Thévenon  The impacts of these policies on families: o On fertility and the decision to have children (chapter 3); authors M-Th. Letablier and O. Thévenon o On parents‘ participation in the labour market, gender equality and work-life balance (chapter 4); authors: M-Th. Letablier, A. Luci, O. Thévenon o On children‘s well-being (chapter 5): M-Th. Letablier and O. Thévenon  The wider economic and social costs and benefits of such policies (Chapter 6); author: A. Luci. The review of literature presented in this report attempts to make the tools, goals and impacts of family policies more clear and comparable across countries, in order to facilitate the circulation of knowledge between Member States, notably in the context of the European Alliance for Families and the newly established High Level Experts Group on Demography Issues. The report provides a review of recent literature and available data material on the direct and indirect costs of raising children in the European Union (using international as well as particularly important national studies). Ground breaking studies from countries outside the EU, of particular interest from a methodological point of view, are also included in the review. Focus is on the following kinds of costs of having and raising children over the long and short term: - Direct financial costs, e.g. for housing, health care, education, child care, - Indirect financial costs, e.g. for lost income, lost pension rights, lost career prospects etc. , also taking into account the impact on gender roles and gender equality. The costs of raising children are examined at the different phases of their development, from birth through to the age at which they become autonomous. The overview also summarizes knowledge on the main determinants of costs, including, the effects of the number of children, the socio-economic status of parents, and the family structure. Significant differences in cost levels and structures across Member States are identified. The overview also identifies gaps in the available knowledge, and highlights some issues for future research that have the potential to contribute to a better understanding of the policy impact and to better comparability across the European Union.cost of children; family policies; work and family life reconciliation; fertility; female employment

Droit à la santé des ressortissants communautaires vivant en France

En France, l’accès des ressortissants communautaires à la protection maladie et aux soins s’est durci avec les élargissements successifs de l’Union européenne en 2004 et 2007. L’entrée dans l’UE de huit pays d’Europe centrale et orientale laissait planer la possibilité d’un “appel d’air” créé par les dispositifs de protection sociale français. Certaines caisses d’assurance-maladie ont commencé à refuser des prestations aux ressortissants de l’Union. Les Roms, notamment, peinent à bénéficier de la Couverture maladie universelle ou de l’Aide médicale d’État. À eux seuls, ils cristallisent la crainte des migrations sanitaires

Caring for very young children and dependent elderly people in France: Towards a commodification of social care

This paper considers the childcare and elderlycare policies in France and their reforms between 1985 and 1995 and suggests that France is facing a process of commodification of social care with the recourse to "cash for care" instruments.Cet article analyse les dispositifs français de prise en charge de la petite enfance et des personnes âgées dépendantes et les réformes des années 1985-1995 et met en évidence un processus de marchandisation du care au moyen de politiques de "cash for care

Recent reforms in French and German family policies. Similar challenges, different responses

Este artigo analisa se as reformas recentemente introduzidas nas políticas da família, tanto em França como na Alemanha, estão a direccionar os dois países para uma convergência. A Alemanha tem introduzido mudanças drásticas, especialmente um novo subsídio de licença parental, enquanto a França, por seu lado, optou por uma abordagem mais gradual que se tem traduzido por um reforço da promoção das suas políticas de conciliação trabalho-família juntamente com um aumento continuado da oferta de serviços de cuidados a crianças durante a última década. Apesar de um aumento na oferta global de equipamentos de cuidados a crianças, a Alemanha continua atrás da França neste domínio, fenómeno que pode ser parcialmente explicado por uma combinação de obstáculos institucionais, a persistência de normas sociais no que diz respeito aos cuidados a crianças com idades inferiores a três anos e uma procura excessiva. Defendemos que os principais motores para uma mudança paradigmática na Alemanha têm sido as preocupações com as consequências do declínio da fertilidade, da falta de trabalhadores qualificados e, segundo um estudo da OCDE, o desvanecimento de certezas sobre a educação infantil. Em França, as reformas nas políticas de licenças parentais têm apostado, por exemplo no maior encorajamento das mães a manter o vínculo laboral mesmo enquanto estão de licença. Mas, enquanto as reformas adoptadas por parte da Alemanha representam um corte radical com o antigo modelo masculino de provedor da família, as taxas de emprego das mães permanecem mais baixas do que em França e as mães alemãs trabalham com mais frequência a tempo parcial do que as suas homólogas francesas.This article investigates whether the recent reforms introduced in the family policies of both France and Germany are leading the two countries towards some measure of convergence. Germany has favoured dramatic changes, especially a new parental leave allowance, while France, for its part, has chosen a more gradual approach that has translated into an enhancement of its promotion of work-family reconciliation policies along with steady increases in spending related to childcare provision over the last decade. Despite a rise in its overall supply of childcare Germany still lags far behind France in this domain, a phenomenon that can be partially explained by a combination of institutional obstacles, the persistence of social norms governing childcare for under-3s, and excessive demand. We argue that the main drivers for paradigmatic change in Germany have been concerns over the consequences of declining fertility; a shortfall of qualified workers; and, the shattering of certitudes following an OECD study on childhood education. In France reforms in parental leave policies have been more incremental with, for example, mothers being encouraged to retain their links to the workforce even while on leave. But while the reforms adopted by Germany represent a radical departure from the former ‘male-breadwinner model’, mothers’ employment rates remain lower than in France and German mothers work part-time with much greater frequency than their French counterparts.Nous analysons les réformes introduites depuis les années 1990 dans les politiques relatives aux aides à la conciliation travail/famille en France et en Allemagne et examinons si elles contribuent à une relative convergence dans ce domaine. L’Allemagne a réformé le congé parental (Elterngeld) en s’inspirant du modèle suédois, tandis que la France a poursuivi ses efforts en faveur des politiques d’accueil du jeune enfant sans pour autant modifier le dispositif du congé parental qui reste peu rémunéré. Outre-Rhin, tous les enfants âgés de trois à six ans bénéficient maintenant d’une place dans un jardin d’enfants, le plus souvent à temps partiel. L’accueil des enfants de moins de trois ans, en revanche, reste très limité. Des obstacles institutionnels, la persistance des normes éducatives et uneforte demande expliquent ces différences entre les deux pays. Parmi les facteurs de changement, en Allemagne, figurent les préoccupations démographiques, la pénurie de travailleurs qualifiés et la volonté politique d’augmenter les taux d’emploi des mères, compte tenu de la diminution de la population active. La participation de celles-ci au marché du travail a beaucoup augmenté mais demeure moins élevée qu’en France et elles travaillent plus souvent à temps partiel que leurs homologues françaises. On peut conclure toutefois qu’on assiste à une relative convergence des politiques familiales des deux pays.Este artículo analiza si las reformas recientemente introducidas en las políticas de la familia, tanto en Francia como en Alemania, están direccionando a los dos países para una convergencia. Alemania ha introducido cambios drásticos, especialmente un nuevo subsidio de licencia parental. Francia, por su lado, optó por un abordaje más gradual que se ha traducido por un refuerzo de la promoción de sus políticas de conciliación trabajo-familia conjuntamente con un aumento continuado de la oferta de servicios de cuidado para niños durante la última década. A pesar de un aumento en la oferta global de equipamientos de cuidados para los niños, Alemania continua atrás de Francia en este dominio, fenómeno que puede ser parcialmente explicado por una combinación de obstáculos institucionales, la persistencia de normas sociales en lo que se refiere a los cuidados de niños con edades inferiores a tres años y una búsqueda excesiva. Nosotros defendemos que los principales motores para el cambio paradigmático en Alemania han sido las preocupaciones con las consecuencias del declive de la fertilidad, de la falta de trabajadores calificados y del desvanecimiento de certezas sobre educación infantil según un estudio de la OCDE. En Francia, las reformas en las políticas de licencias parentales han sido de mayor destaque, como, por ejemplo, la valentía de las madres por mantener el vínculo laboral aún estando de licencia. Sin embargo, las reformas adoptadas por parte de Alemania representan un corte radical con el antiguo modelo masculino de proveedor de familia, las tazas de empleo de las madres permanecen más bajas que en Francia y las madres alemanas trabajan con más frecuencia de tiempo parcial de que sus homólogas francesas

The Minimum Income Standard and equivalisation: reassessing relative costs of singles and couples and of adults and children

Equivalence scales, used to compare incomes across household types, strongly influence which households have low reported income, affecting public policy priorities. Yet they draw on abstract, often dated evidence and arbitrary judgements, and on comparisons across the income distribution rather than focusing on minimum requirements. Budget standards provide more tangible comparisons of the minimum required by different household types. The Minimum Income Standard (MIS) method, now established in several countries, applies a common methodological framework for compiling budgets, based on public deliberations. This article draws for the first time on results across countries. In all of the four countries examined, it identifies an under-estimation by the OECD scale of the relative cost of children compared to adults, and in three of the four, an under-estimation of the cost of singles compared to couples. This more systematically corroborates previous, dispersed evidence, and helps explain which specific expenditure categories influence these results. These results have high policy relevance, showing greater proportions of low income households to contain children than standard income distribution data. While no single equivalence scale can be universally accurate, making use of evidence based directly on benchmarks such as MIS can help inform public priorities in tackling low income.</div