PART I. Introduction of Concepts and Theories -- Chapter 1. Charting new courses for families and family policies by Shirley Gatenio Gabel -- PART II. The Nexus of Changes in Family, Policy, and Welfare State Responsibilities – Parental Leave Policies and Effects -- Chapter 2. Parental leave policies, parental diversity, and precarity in family life: A cross-national comparison by Alison Koslowski -- Chapter 3. The Impact of Employment Precariousness on Parental Leave Benefits in Southern European Countries (Portugal, Spain, Italy, And Greece) by Susana Atalaia and Mafalda Leitão -- PART III. The Nexus of Changes in Family, Policy, and Welfare State Responsibilities – Lone Parenthood -- Chapter 4. Precarious parenthood after separation: Who will be economically responsible for the children? The case of Sweden by Ann-Zofie Duvander and Johanna Schiratzki -- Chapter 5. Framing the Deservingness of Families – How Government Discourse Contributes to Growing Precarity of Single-Parent Families in Hungary? by Boglárka Herke -- PART IV. The Nexus of Changes in Family, Policy, and Welfare State Responsibilities – The Effects of Family Policy on Entering and Exiting the Labor Force -- Chapter 6. The Precariousness of Transition to Adulthood and Social Policy in Poland by Piotr Michoń -- Chapter 7. Formal and Informal Social Security in Old Age: The Contribution of Welfare-state, Inter-generational Support and Precarity Perspectives by Jolanta Aidukaitė and Sarmitė Mikulionienė -- PART V. The Nexus of Changes in Family, Policy, and Welfare State Responsibilities – Changing Attitudes Around Gender Roles and Policy -- Chapter 8. Employment Precarity and Parenting Leaves in Croatia by Ivana Dobrotić -- Chapter 9. Gender Attitudes in the Third Decade of Post-Communism: Diminishing Space for Precariousness? by Steven Saxonberg & Tomáš Sirovátka -- PART VI. Discussion and Conclusions -- Chapter 10. The Tricky Business of Policymaking: Conclusions by Piotr Michoń.

This book critically analyzes how European countries manage family-related challenges as they grapple with social and political transformations. It contributes to our understanding of contemporary family issues and serves as a bridge between academic analysis and practical policymaking. In an era marked by dynamic and precarious societal shifts, evolving family structures, and intricate policy landscapes, the imperative to comprehensively examine family life, social risks, and policies becomes increasingly apparent. This contributed volume delves into how changes in family and gender roles, work, and household composition have affected the intricacies of parental leave policies, societal attitudes, and the inherent precarity within family life. The chapters, composed by esteemed authors, provide both a national and a cross-national perspective, offering invaluable insights into the diverse ways families and states navigate the complexities of contemporary society, highlighting the unaddressed vulnerabilities created by existing public policies. The contents explore the nexus of changes in family, policy, and welfare state responsibilities with a focus on: Parental Leave Policies and Effects Lone Parenthood The Effects of Family Policy on Entering and Exiting the Labor Force Changing Attitudes Around Gender Roles and Policy Navigating Family Policies in Precarious Times guides readers through the complex interplay of familial experiences, social risks, and the multifaceted landscape of family policies across Europe. The book is an indispensable resource for examining policies and challenges encountered by contemporary families for policymakers, scholars, and practitioners. Its focus on Eastern European countries makes it a particularly relevant and engaging resource for students and educators interested in social policy and the complexities of family life in this region. With an interdisciplinary approach to a growing social issue, the book is a valuable resource for researchers in sociology, social work, economics, psychology and political science. It also can be used as a text in undergraduate and graduate courses on family such as Family Studies, Human Behavior & Social Environment, and Social and/or Family Policy courses.