The family support system in Lithuania: Experts’ views and citizens’ evaluation

• Authors: Aidukaite Jolanta , Kristina Senkuviene
• Languages of publication: EN

Abstracts

EN

This study seeks to contribute to a better understanding of the challenges that the contemporary public family support system experience in Lithuania. It draws conclusions based on 10 expert interviews conducted with social policy makers and researchers as well as a national-wide survey conducted in December 2018. The findings show that in Lithuania, policies which address gender equality such as parental leave policies are highly appreciated and needed by the population. However, they have to be backed up by care services and other flexible work arrangements in order to make them sustainable in the future. In Lithuania, the emphasis on means-testing in family support system does not prove to be a sustainable strategy. Despite the long-lasting tradition in supporting families according to the proven need, the respondents view them as the least adequate support provided by the state.

PL

Artykuł służy lepszemu zrozumieniu wyzwań, jakie napotyka współczesny publiczny system wsparcia rodziny na Litwie. Formułowane wnioski oparte są na 10 wywiadach zbekspertami—decydentami i badaczami polityki społecznej, a także na ogólnokrajowym sondażu przeprowadzonym na Litwie w grudniu 2018 r. Ustalenia pokazują, że na Litwie polityki dotyczące równości płci, takie jak polityka dotycząca urlopu rodzicielskiego, są bardzo potrzebne i cenione przez ludność. Jednak, aby zapewnić ich trwałość w przyszłości, muszą być one wspierane przez usługi opiekuńcze i rozwiązania umożliwiające elastyczne warunki pracy. Na Litwie nacisk na weryfikowanie kryteriów dochodowych wbprzyznawaniu świadczeń okazuje się nie być podejściem, które można utrzymywać wbdłuższej perspektywie. Pomimo wieloletniej tradycji wspierania rodzin zgodnie z udowodnioną potrzebą, respondenci uważają takie rozwiązanie za najmniej odpowiednią formę wsparcia ze strony państwa.

Keywords

EN

family support system; Lithuania; parental leave; child allowance; family policy

PL

system wsparcia rodziny; Litwa; urlop rodzicielski; zasiłek rodzinny; polityka rodzinna

• Publisher: Instytut Polityki Społecznej Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego
• Journal: Problemy Polityki Społecznej. Studia i Dyskusje
• Year: 2019
• Issue: 47(4)
• Pages: 29-46

Contributors

author

Aidukaite Jolanta

• Lithuanian Social Research Centre

author

Kristina Senkuviene

• Lithuanian Social Research Centre

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