New demographics, family structures and care responsibilities in Europe

Katharina Herlofson, Hanna Vangen and Martina Brandt

Chapter 4 in Research Handbook on Social Care Policy, 2025, pp 51-69 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: Ongoing demographic trends are challenging care responsibilities within families. Due to longer lives, many men and women today enter grandparenthood while their own parents are still living and may find themselves having care responsibilities towards both older and younger generations. Postponement of parenthood, on the other hand, may imply another generational ‘squeeze’ – the one faced by adult children with minor offspring and, concurrently, parents in need of help and care. Increases in childlessness and divorces may pose further challenges and dilemmas to families’ care allocations. Demographic developments, care needs and responsibilities are embedded in different welfare regime contexts that not only influence allocations of care, but also moderate the burden imposed on family support networks. To illustrate links between demographics, family structures, and care responsibilities, we draw on existing data and research. We end by addressing the importance of social policies in shaping families’ care responsibilities in ageing societies.

Keywords: Ageing; Demographic change; Gender; Informal care; Intergenerational relations; Welfare regimes (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
ISBN: 9781839103681
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