Already in year 2007, the Madrid-based Institute for Family Policies (IFP), issued a report to the European Parliament warning about “the deterioration of the family panorama.”
Another report shows that of every 13 euros, Europe sets aside for social expenditures, only 1 euro is set aside for the family. Social spending on old age and health respectively account for 42% and 29% of total social program spending and expenditures in those areas continues to increase. By comparison, government expenditures on family and children account for only 7.8%.
For many families, the problem lies in reconciling starting a family with studies or with entering working life. However, increasing demands for efficiency at work and greater uncertainty about job security also put added pressure on parents. Work-related stress, pressure of time and unemployment are all factors that make the lives of families with children more difficult. Reconciling paid employment and family life is one of the major challenges facing Finnish family policy.
The family is the most important basic social unit, a unit which provides its members with care deriving from stable human relationships. The Finnish family policy must focus more on how to create a safe environment for children to grow up in and to provide parents with the material and psychological means to have and raise children.