Social Inequalities of Families in Europe

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Social inequalities and poverty rates of families in Europe differ substantially among the member states. There are known risk factors for poverty, characterizing all states and all groups, such as unemployment or low educational achievements. It is evident that families are at risk of poverty to different degrees and for different reasons in the member states of the EU. This contribution argues that these differences are to a substantial degree attributable to the national differences in the social policies addressing families. These policies are by themselves a result of the different welfare state models, but in particular of the models of families and family life characterizing the welfare states. As these are deeply entrenched in ideology and tradition, they also influence policies, which offer different chances for families to avoid poverty. The empirical data indicate that policies recognizing a more modern model of families and family life in which both sexes are regularly doing paid work in the labour market, are better and more efficient at avoiding poverty of families and children. States such as the Scandinavian ones – by providing the infrastructure for public childcare – enable mothers and women to participate in the labour market, which is a strong factor in combating poverty. Other countries of the continental-conservative welfare state type are still following the male breadwinner model in which women are seen as staying at home and doing household work. Despite spending large proportions of GDP for social transfers, they are less able to avoid family poverty.