Parental Leave, Childcare • 25.01.2024How do people with a migration background utilise family policy measures?

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Overall, the studies show considerable disadvantages for migrant groups in terms of eligibility for family policy measures as well as their utilisation and impact on the further course of life compared to the respective majority population.

The geographical focus of the analyses includes countries in different regions of Western Europe. In addition to their different welfare state models in general and their specific family policies, these countries vary in terms of their immigration histories and current migrant populations. Although there is a growing body of research on the effects of family policies on fertility, work-life balance and early childhood development, the specific situation of migrants has hardly been considered in this context.

Differences between selected European countries

The first article in this special issue analyses maternity and parental leave regulations for migrants in Belgium, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom from a comparative perspective. Results show variations depending on length of stay, insurance payments and length of employment. In Germany, there are slight differences between second-generation migrant and non-migrant mothers in relation to the transition to the second child, indicating improved structural integration.

The study for France shows a lower utilisation of early childhood education and care services among new migrants due to their lower socio-economic situation. In Italy, migrant women are less likely to use childcare overall, but those who do use childcare are more likely to use formal childcare services (e.g. daycare centres) compared to Italian-born mothers who are more likely to use informal services (e.g. grandparents).

Another study on Italy focusses on the need for informal childcare. Migrant families use it less frequently, but are more dependent on other relatives and non-relatives than Italian families. A Belgian analysis shows that despite the expansion of childcare provision, significant differences remain between people with and without a migration background.

Factors in the utilisation and consequences of family policy instruments

To summarise, it can be said that overall, particular importance is attached to measures that improve the compatibility of gainful employment and care work and that promote early childhood education. It has been shown that, in addition to the age at arrival and the length of stay in the destination country, differences between the migrant generations also play a role in the utilisation and consequences of the instruments. For example, disadvantages decrease across migrant generations. However, cultural differences between migrant groups also persist in later generations. This diversity with different cultural backgrounds must be taken into account by family policy in order to prevent social inequalities from deepening, the researchers concluded.

The thematic special issue was produced by the Working Group "Fertility and Family Dynamics in Migrant and Minority Groups" of the European Association for Population Studies (EAPS).

More Informations: https://eaps.nl/page/migrant-and-minority-fertility