Family policy in France and Europe : recent changes and effects of the crisis

Abstract

The majority of European countries have seen major changes in family policy over the last 15 years. Butfamily support structures vary widely, reflecting different policy approaches across Europe. As wasthe case for all forms of social spending, the recent financial crisis prompted a two-stage response: first, a large rise in family spending, with family policy serving to cushion the effects of the crisis, followedby a period of spending controls and/or austerity measures. For some countries, these changes constituted a break with respect to earlier policies.In France, the planned decrease in family spending up to 2017 is centred around a refocusing of supporton low-income families and the development of childcare/preschool provision.