International Perspectives on Family Policies

Excerpt

While the important role of the family in society has been recognized everywhere in the world, it also needs to be substantiated through comprehensive and effective family policies. Family policies have been defined as government activities that are designed intentionally to support families, enhance family members’ well-being, and strengthen family relationships (Bogenschneider 2006; Zimmerman 2001). A system of explicit and institutionalized family policy implies legal recognition of the family as a social institution contributing to social cohesion. As such, explicit family policies need to be recognized by governments through development, implementation and evaluation mechanisms. …