Cross-National Research Papers

Series Editor : Linda Hantrais

European Research Centre, Loughborough University

Sixth series: IMPROVING POLICY RESPONSES AND OUTCOMES TO SOCIO-ECONOMIC CHALLENGES: CHANGING FAMILY STRUCTURES, POLICY AND PRACTICE  

The sixth series of Cross-National Research Papers builds on the contributions published in the fifth series. They develop with greater breadth and in greater depth work previously carried out on the relationship between socio-demographic trends and policy responses in Europe. 

The materials from which the papers are derived were compiled for a three-year research project funded by the European Commission under Framework Programme 5 (HPSE–CT–1999–00031). The research extended earlier work for the European Commission, Directorate General 5, Employment, Industrial Relations and Social Affairs, between 1997 and 1998. 

The project was also designed to document the cross-national comparative research process, in keeping with the aims and objectives of the Cross-National Research Group, which was established in 1985 as an informal network of researchers interested in the theory, methodology, management and practice of cross-national research on topics in the social sciences. 

The papers in the sixth series track the development of the project and provide an appropriate means of disseminating comments on the operation of each stage of the research, while also reporting interim findings.  

Summaries of issues 1–7 are presented below. To obtain full versions of the texts, you can either use the catalogue and order form to request hard copies, or contact L.Hantrais@lboro.ac.uk to request the password and access to the pdf files on this site, then click here. 

2000 pp 60 £6.50 (printed); also available online with password.

Editors: Louise Appleton and Linda Hantrais

The first issue in the sixth series of papers examines some of the methodological questions raised in the first stage of the IPROSEC project. The papers discuss differences in social constructions of the key concepts used in the project, as well as problems of ensuring comparability when measuring socio-demographic change across EU member and applicant states.

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2000 pp 76 £6.50 (printed); also available online.

Editor: Louise Appleton

Contributors: Dieter Eißel, Maurice FitzGerald, Alec Hargreaves, Tess Kay, Ágnes Kende, Jerzy Kryzyszkowski, Dagmar Kutsar, Jeremy Leaman, Devi Sacchetto, Ene-Margit Tiit, Wielisława Warzywoda-Kruszyńska

The aim of this collection of papers is to highlight the spatio-temporal differences both within and between nations, the challenges they pose for cross-national research teams, and for policy formulation and implementation.

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3. Comparing Family Policy Actors

2002 pp 68 £6.50 (printed); also available online.

Editors: Louise Appleton and Linda Hantrais

Contributors: Peter Ackers, Louise Appleton, Paul Byrne

The papers in this collection report on the findings from interviews with political, economic and civil society actors in the eight EU member states and three candidate countries in the IPROSEC project. The interviews were designed to investigate the policy process and develop a greater understanding of national policy responses to socio-demographic change. The authors compare the involvement of different actors in family policy and analyse their accounts of how it is formulated and implemented.

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4. The Employment Relationship and Family Life

2003 pp 56 £6.50 (printed); also available online

Editor: Peter Ackers

Contributors: Peter Ackers, Mònica Badia i Ibáñez, Roberta Guerrina, Kait Kabun, Devi Sacchetto, Elizabeth Such  

The papers discuss the employment dimension of family life in EU member states (Italy, Spain, the UK) and a candidate country (Estonia). They explore how the employment relationship not only shapes the everyday lives of families, but also provides an institutional framework and agencies for other forms of state intervention such as time policies and measures to reconcile work and family responsibilities. 

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5. Changing Family Structure in Europe: new challenges for public policy

2003 pp 75 £6.50 also available in print format

Editors: Marie-Thérèse Letablier and Sophie Pennec

Contributors: Anthony Abela, Olivier Büttner, Ingrid Jönsson, Kati Karelson, Dagmar Kutsar, Valentina Longo, Mária Neményi, Ene-Margit Tiit, Olga Tóth, Jutta Träger  

The six papers examine various aspects of changing family structure, patterns of family formation and values systems in the late twentieth century in eight EU member states and three candidate countries. They show how the diversification of family forms and the spread of dual-earner families have created important challenges for public policy.

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6. European Case Studies in Family Change and Policy Practice

2003 pp 86 £6.50 (printed); also available in print format

Editors: Louise Appleton and Linda Hantrais

Contributors: Moira Ackers, Mònica Badia i Ibañez, Olivier Büttner, Julia Griggs, Kati Karelson, Valentina Longo, Elizabeth Monaghan, Olga Niméus, Katre Pall, Małgorzata Potoczna, Lucyna Prorok-Mamińska, Devi Sacchetto, Elizabeth Such, Judit Takács, Dimitra Taki, Jutta Träger, Spyridon Tryfonas  

Drawing on statistical data, contextual analysis and new empirical work, eleven country case studies track and analyse socio-demographic trends, the challenges they present for governments, the responses of policy actors, and the experiences and perceptions of families themselves in eight EU member states and three candidate countries.

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7. Comparing Family Change and Policy Responses in Europe

2003 pp 110 £8.00 (printed); also available in print format

Editor: Linda Hantrais

This final issue in the sixth series of papers provides a comparative analysis of the relationship between socio-economic change and public policy in eight EU member states and three candidate countries. It compares the family policy process, policy responses to change and outcomes, and looks at the potential for policy learning and transfer. 

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