Family policies and children. Rediscovery and height of family policies in Spain

Abstract

Family policies in Spain started in the early democratic years but the past twenty years have seen the greatest improvements in family policies. They have been developed much later in Spain than in other European countries and this has impacted on women’s lives, causing very low birth rates. The lack of family policies have also negatively affected the independence of young people and the care of dependent persons. Family policies are strongly related with child protection and care policies. In this article I analyze the new family realities in order to know if current public policy takes them into account. The well-being of children not only depends on family efforts but also on public policies because they increase resources and services for families. The erosion of the traditional family has created new social risks for children. This cannot be addressed within the old frameworks so we need to recognize the new family realities