Family Policy and its' Accessibility: Comparative Analysis of Lithuania and the Netherlands

Abstract

This article aims at comparing family policy in Lithuania and the Netherlands and to research its accessibility. Article presents research results of interviews with experts, participating in family policy formation; specialists who provide services for families; and families themselves. Authors provide recommendations for family policy and its accessibility improvement in Lithuania based on the long-term experience in the Netherlands. Research results revealed that family policy in Lithuania is mainly oriented towards social risk families, the development of family policy is fragmented, policy tools are provided based on categorical principle and inter-institutional cooperation is underdeveloped. In the Netherlands the means of family policy are oriented towards all families, inter-institutional cooperation in the sphere of family policy is close and long-term and services are usually provided on voluntary basis. The main focus in family policy development should be oriented towards the creation and implementation of maintenance tools.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.ppaa.13.1.6495