欧洲家庭发展和家庭政策的变迁及启示

Changes in European Family and Family Policies

20世纪以来,欧洲各国的家庭结构与规模、居住安排、婚姻关系、代际关系、家庭类型及生活方式等都在发生着显著的变化,欧洲各国普遍出现了家庭结构残缺化、家庭养老功能弱化、家庭关系离散化、家庭冲突趋强化、家庭角色失范化以及家庭支持脆弱化等家庭问题。本文梳理了家庭发展和问题的历史变迁,从鼓励生育政策、老年福利政策、家庭救助政策等三个方面阐述了欧洲家庭政策的主要内容及做法。欧洲家庭政策的变迁和取向启示我们,政府通过家庭向社会成员提供的福利支持影响最为直接,社会成效也最为显著。最后提出了完善中国家庭政策的路径选择,即转向发展型,降低家庭发展风险,增强家庭发展能力。

Since the 19 th century, families of European countries have gone through tremendous changes in family structure and size,living conditions, marriage, relation between generations, types of family and life-style. Some common family problems emerged in European countries such as incomplete family structure, less caring for the elderly, weak relationship, intensified conflicts, the lack of responsibility and support of family members. The paper has made a historic review of family issues and family policies adopted by European countries with a major focus on pro-naturalist policy, welfare policy for the elderly and assistance for needy families. The changes in family policies of European countries suggested that the government support for citizens through family welfare has made a remarkable social impact. Finally, the paper makes suggestions to improve family policies in China, such as more focused on family growth, reducing the risk and enhancing the capacity for family development.