How the Early Childhood Well-Being Lies within the Family Context in Albania

Abstract

Family and young children interaction constitutes an intricate piece of the reconstructed human behaviors and relations that dominate the current sociodemographic transition in Albania. We argue here that the recent macro demographic and social changes, which indicate an entry into the second demographic transition, are also articulated in the family micro-level relationships. In particular, our interest has led us to explore whether the divergences in family behaviour and attitudes concerning inequalities expressed in the wealth position and empowerment status of mothers have implications for the well-being of young children. Micro-level data from the 2008–2009 Albanian Demographic and Health Survey (ADHS) for children under five were used for this analysis. The sub-sample of 541 children from 3 to 5 years of age is examined related to achievements in several aspects of well-being. We put forward that the Albanian families who are still distant from the second demographic-transition model in terms of living arrangements pose a burden on the quality of life for the young children.