The family in Norwegian society

The family in Norwegian society

Anne Skevik Grdem,NOVA Norwegian Social Research

What is a family?Blood relations, Legal relations (marriage)A set of functionsProductionReproduction

Distinguish between family and householdHousehold: People who live in the same house, and who regularly have meals together

Married women with children under 16 in the labour force, 1972-1999

What is the family?A contested political question!

Haven in a heartless worldA site of oppression and conflicting interests

The basic unit of societyA changing institution

Family trends in NorwayDelayed marriagesDelayed childbearing extended youth period, singledom, cohabitationStable, comparatively high fertilityHigh and stable rates of extra-marital birthHigh and stable divorce rates many lone parents, many non-resident parents, many adults living alone

CohabitationA paper-less marriage or a modern form of engagement?Illegal in Norway until 1972!Much less stable than marriage

Marriage in NorwayAnyone who is over 18 and single is free to marryIllegal to marry parents/ grandparents/ children/ grandchildren, and siblingsOnly valid if it is freely entered into

% who are cohabiting, married or living alone, different age groups, 2002-2004

Diagram1

4096

28468

412138

334125

255223

176122

146521

126920

87319

57124

26137

Cohabiting

Marrried

Living alone

Ark1

1977198819942002

20-2412343135

25-295243539

30-342122231

35-39261222

40-44171116

1977198819942002

Married81533529

Cohabiting5243539

Ark1

00000

00000

00000

00000

20-24

25-29

30-34

35-39

40-44

Ark2

00

00

00

00

Married

Cohabiting

Ark3

MenWomen

1961-6526.423.4

1966-7025.322.8

1971-7525.222.8

1976-8025.923.3

1981-8526.824.2

1986-9028.225.5

1991-9529.526.9

1996-200031.128.6

20013229.3

200232.229.5

200332.529.7

1961-65

Unmarried men to unmarried women87.8

Unmarried men to divorced/ widowed women4.2

Divorced/ widowed men to unmarried women4.8

Divorced/ widowed men to divorced/ widowed women women3.2

2003





Ark3

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

Men

Women

0

0

0

0

1961-65

0

0

0

0

2003

CohabitingMarrriedLiving alone

16-194096

20-2428468

25-29412138

30-34334125

35-39255223

40-44176122

45-49146521

50-54126920

55-5987319

60-6957124

70-7926137

000

000

000

000

000

000

000

000

000

000

000

Cohabiting

Marrried

Living alone

% of women in different age groups cohabiting, various years

Diagram1

125221

34241267

3135221211

3539312216

20-24

25-29

30-34

35-39

40-44

Ark1

1977198819942002

20-2412343135

25-295243539

30-342122231

35-39261222

40-44171116

Ark1

20-24

25-29

30-34

35-39

40-44

Ark2

Ark3

% of women aged 25-29 who are married or cohabiting, various years

Diagram2

815

5324

3535

2939

Married

Cohabiting

Ark1

1977198819942002

20-2412343135

25-295243539

30-342122231

35-39261222

40-44171116

1977198819942002

Married81533529

Cohabiting5243539

Ark1

20-24

25-29

30-34

35-39

40-44

Ark2

Married

Cohabiting

Ark3

Mean age at first marriage, men and women, 1961-2003

Diagram4

26.423.4

25.322.8

25.222.8

25.923.3

26.824.2

28.225.5

29.526.9

31.128.6

3229.3

32.229.5

32.529.7

Men

Women

Ark1

1977198819942002

20-2412343135

25-295243539

30-342122231

35-39261222

40-44171116

1977198819942002

Married81533529

Cohabiting5243539

Ark1

20-24

25-29

30-34

35-39

40-44

Ark2

Married

Cohabiting

Ark3

MenWomen

1961-6526.423.4

1966-7025.322.8

1971-7525.222.8

1976-8025.923.3

1981-8526.824.2

1986-9028.225.5

1991-9529.526.9

1996-200031.128.6

20013229.3

200232.229.5

200332.529.7

Ark3

Men

Women

% of marriages between previously unmarried and previously married, early 1960s and 2003

Diagram6

71.7

8.1

8.3

11.9

2003

Ark1

1977198819942002

20-2412343135

25-295243539

30-342122231

35-39261222

40-44171116

1977198819942002

Married81533529

Cohabiting5243539

Ark1

20-24

25-29

30-34

35-39

40-44

Ark2

Married

Cohabiting

Ark3

MenWomen

1961-6526.423.4

1966-7025.322.8

1971-7525.222.8

1976-8025.923.3

1981-8526.824.2

1986-9028.225.5

1991-9529.526.9

1996-200031.128.6

20013229.3

200232.229.5

200332.529.7

1961-65





2003





Ark3

Men

Women

1961-65

2003

Diagram5

87.8

4.2

4.8

3.2

1961-65

Ark1

1977198819942002

20-2412343135

25-295243539

30-342122231

35-39261222

40-44171116

1977198819942002

Married81533529

Cohabiting5243539

Ark1

00000

00000

00000

00000

20-24

25-29

30-34

35-39

40-44

Ark2

00

00

00

00

Married

Cohabiting

Ark3

MenWomen

1961-6526.423.4

1966-7025.322.8

1971-7525.222.8

1976-8025.923.3

1981-8526.824.2

1986-9028.225.5

1991-9529.526.9

1996-200031.128.6

20013229.3

200232.229.5

200332.529.7

1961-65





2003





Ark3

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

Men

Women

0

0

0

0

1961-65

0

0

0

0

2003

Homosexual marriageRegistered partnerships introduced in 1993Same-sex couples can register their partnerships. This gives them all the same rights and duties as married couples have, exceptThey cannot be married in a church ceremonyThey cannot adopt children together, or legally be inseminated by a sperm donor

Numbers of registered partnerships, 1993-2003

Diagram3

11541

8647

6434

8047

7443

7144

8262

7876

10877

10578

11688

Two men

Two women

Ark1

20-2425-2930-3435-3940-4445-4950-5455-59

1961-1965206.8182.485.644.322.612.16.53.2

1966-1970226176.780.438.320.311.36.13.1

1971-1975208163.770.436.316.210.15.22.8

1976-1980142.3128.265.532.115.38.14.12.2

1981-198594.3105.458.627.613.38.33.71.9

1986-199061.389.356.629.512.37.24.22.1

1991-199538.172.549.72713.16.641.9

1996-200030.572.259.434.717.910.263.1

2001-2005246155.833.81812.26.83.2

Number of marriages

1966-197029055

1971-197527898

1976-198023677

1981-198521108

1986-199020407

1991-199519456

1996-200023314

2001-200522829

Ark1

206.8182.485.644.322.612.16.53.2

226176.780.438.320.311.36.13.1

208163.770.436.316.210.15.22.8

142.3128.265.532.115.38.14.12.2

94.3105.458.627.613.38.33.71.9

61.389.356.629.512.37.24.22.1

38.172.549.72713.16.641.9

30.572.259.434.717.910.263.1

246155.833.81812.26.83.2

20-24

25-29

30-34

35-39

40-44

45-49

50-54

55-59

Ark2

29055

27898

23677

21108

20407

19456

23314

22829

Number of marriages

Ark3

Two menTwo women

199311541

19948647

19956434

19968047

19977443

19987144

19998262

20007876

200110877

200210578

200311688

Ark3

11541

8647

6434

8047

7443

7144

8262

7876

10877

10578

11688

Two men

Two women

DivorceEither party can apply for a formal separationAfter one year of formal separation (or two years of informal separation), either partner can apply for divorceThe parties do not have to agree, nor do they have to give a reason for divorcing

DivorceDivorcing couples who have joint children under 16 are obliged to undergo counselling. The aim of this counselling is not to save the marriage, but to ensure that the parents have reached a workable agreement about arrangements for children. This counselling is also mandatory for cohabiting couples with joint children.

The divorce rate, 1959-2005

Diagram4

2.8

3.9

6.5

7.9

9.4

11.5

10.9

12.2

Ark1

20-2425-2930-3435-3940-4445-4950-5455-59

1961-1965206.8182.485.644.322.612.16.53.2

1966-1970226176.780.438.320.311.36.13.1

1971-1975208163.770.436.316.210.15.22.8

1976-1980142.3128.265.532.115.38.14.12.2

1981-198594.3105.458.627.613.38.33.71.9

1986-199061.389.356.629.512.37.24.22.1

1991-199538.172.549.72713.16.641.9

1996-200030.572.259.434.717.910.263.1

2001-2005246155.833.81812.26.83.2

Number of marriages

1966-197029055

1971-197527898

1976-198023677

1981-198521108

1986-199020407

1991-199519456

1996-200023314

2001-200522829

Ark1

20-24

25-29

30-34

35-39

40-44

45-49

50-54

55-59

Ark2

Number of marriages

Ark3

Two menTwo womenRegistered partnerships

199311541

19948647

19956434

19968047

19977443

19987144

19998262

20007876

200110877

200210578

200311688

Ark3

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

Two men

Two women

Divorce rate

1959-622.8

1969-723.9

1976-806.5

1981-857.9

1986-909.4

1991-9511.5

1996-200010.9

2001-0512.2

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Divorce rates in selected European countries and the USA, ca. 2002

Diagram1

0.7

0.7

0.9

1.1

1.2

1.8

1.8

1.9

2.1

2.3

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.5

2.6

2.6

2.8

3

3

3

3.8

Ark1

Mean age at first birth

1946-1950*26.9

1951-1955*26.1

1956-1960*25.3

1961-1965*24.1

1966-1970*23.6

1971-1975*23.4

1976-1980*24.8

1981-1985*25.8

1986-199025.2

1991-199526.1

1996-200027.1

2001-200527.8

* only births within marriage

Mean age first marriageMean age first birth

1961-6523.424.1

1966-7022.823.6

1971-7522.823.4

1976-8023.324.8

1981-8524.225.8

1986-9025.525.2

1991-9526.926.1

1996-200028.627.1

200229.527.8

Ark1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Ark2

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

Mean age first marriage

Mean age first birth

Ark3

Bulgaria1.2

Italy1.2

Latvia1.2

Lithuania1.2

Poland1.2

Spain1.2

Crotia1.3

Germany1.3

Greece1.3

Romania1.3

Russia1.3

Austria1.4Fertility rate

Estonia1.4

Portugal1.5

Belgium1.6

Great Britain1.6

Denmark1.7

Finland1.7

Sweden1.7

the Netherlands1.7

Norway1.8

France1.9

Iceland1.9

Ireland2

Divorce rate

Ireland0.7

Italy0.7

Spain0.9

Greece1.1

Poland1.2

Iecland1.8

Portugal1.8

France1.9

the Netherlands2.1

Norway2.3

Austria2.4

Germany2.4

Sweden2.4

Latvia2.5

Finland2.6

Great Britain2.6

Denmark2.8

Belgium3

Estonia3

Lithuania3

USA3.8

Fertility rateDivorce rate

Estonia1.43

Latvia1.22.5

Lithuania1.23

Poland1.21.2

Italy1.20.7

Spain1.20.9

Greece1.31.1

Portugal1.51.8

Germany1.32.4

Austria1.42.4

Belgium1.63

Great Britain1.62.6

the Netherlands1.72.1

France1.91.9

Ireland20.7

Denmark1.72.8

Finland1.72.6

Sweden1.72.4

Norway1.82.3

Iceland1.91.8

Ark3

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

Fertility rate

Divorce rate

To sum up:Family patterns are much more unstable than they were only a generation agoPeople marry later. Cohabitation is the most common way of living together among young couples.The divorce rate has increased considerablyMore people are living aloneDivorced men and women frequently marry new partners they do not lose faith in marriage!

Child-bearingFertility rates have fallen, but are still higher in the Nordic countries than in most other European countriesMany children are born to cohabiting parentsMany children are living with lone parents, mainly lone mothers

Fertility rates: Norway, and the reproduction level

European fertility rates (selected countries)

Diagram1

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.4

1.4

1.5

1.6

1.6

1.7

1.7

1.7

1.7

1.8

1.9

1.9

2

Ark1


1946-1950*26.9

1951-1955*26.1

1956-1960*25.3

1961-1965*24.1

1966-1970*23.6

1971-1975*23.4

1976-1980*24.8

1981-1985*25.8

1986-199025.2

1991-199526.1

1996-200027.1

2001-200527.8



1961-6523.424.1

1966-7022.823.6

1971-7522.823.4

1976-8023.324.8

1981-8524.225.8

1986-9025.525.2

1991-9526.926.1

1996-200028.627.1

200229.527.8

Ark1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Ark2

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00



Ark3

Italy1.2

Bulgaria1.2

Latvia1.2

Lithuania1.2

Poland1.2

Spain1.2

Greece1.3

Crotia1.3

Romania1.3

Russia1.3

Germany1.3

Austria1.4

Estonia1.4

Portugal1.5

Belgium1.6

Great Britain1.6

Sweden1.7

Finland1.7

Denmark1.7

the Netherlands1.7

Norway1.8

Iceland1.9

France1.9

Ireland2

Ark3

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Diagram2

23.424.1

22.823.6

22.823.4

23.324.8

24.225.8

25.525.2

26.926.1

28.627.1

29.527.8

First marriage

First birth

Ark1


1946-1950*26.9

1951-1955*26.1

1956-1960*25.3

1961-1965*24.1

1966-1970*23.6

1971-1975*23.4

1976-1980*24.8

1981-1985*25.8

1986-199025.2

1991-199526.1

1996-200027.1

2001-200527.8


First marriageFirst birth

1961-6523.424.1

1966-7022.823.6

1971-7522.823.4

1976-8023.324.8

1981-8524.225.8

1986-9025.525.2

1991-9526.926.1

1996-200028.627.1

200229.527.8

Ark1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Ark2

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

First marriage

First birth

Ark3

Diagram3

23.424.1

22.823.6

22.823.4

23.324.8

24.225.8

25.525.2

26.926.1

28.627.1

29.527.8



Ark1


1946-1950*26.9

1951-1955*26.1

1956-1960*25.3

1961-1965*24.1

1966-1970*23.6

1971-1975*23.4

1976-1980*24.8

1981-1985*25.8

1986-199025.2

1991-199526.1

1996-200027.1

2001-200527.8



1961-6523.424.1

1966-7022.823.6

1971-7522.823.4

1976-8023.324.8

1981-8524.225.8

1986-9025.525.2

1991-9526.926.1

1996-200028.627.1

200229.527.8

Ark1

Ark2



Ark3

% of live births outside marriage

Diagram6

4

5.7

9

12.3

20

33.7

34.8

48.9

50.3

Ark1

20-2425-2930-3435-3940-4445-4950-5455-59

1961-1965206.8182.485.644.322.612.16.53.2

1966-1970226176.780.438.320.311.36.13.1

1971-1975208163.770.436.316.210.15.22.8

1976-1980142.3128.265.532.115.38.14.12.2

1981-198594.3105.458.627.613.38.33.71.9

1986-199061.389.356.629.512.37.24.22.1

1991-199538.172.549.72713.16.641.9

1996-200030.572.259.434.717.910.263.1

2001-2005246155.833.81812.26.83.2

Number of marriages

1966-197029055

1971-197527898

1976-198023677

1981-198521108

1986-199020407

1991-199519456

1996-200023314

2001-200522829

Ark1

20-24

25-29

30-34

35-39

40-44

45-49

50-54

55-59

Ark2

Number of marriages

Ark3


199311541

19948647

19956434

19968047

19977443

19987144

19998262

20007876

200110877

200210578

200311688


1961-654

1966-705.7

1971-759

1976-8012.3

1981-8520

1986-9033.7

1991-9534.8

1996-200048.9

2001-0450.3

Ark3

Two men

Two women

Divorce rate

1959-622.8

1969-723.9

1976-806.5

1981-857.9

1986-909.4

1991-9511.5

1996-200010.9

2001-0512.2

Divorces by no of yrs marriage lasted

0-2715

3-41101

5-92290

10-141501

15-191237

20-241138

25+1470

Children at different ages, by parents marital status. 2006

Diagram7

49.239.910.9

53.835.510.6

57.33012.7

58.626.514.8

59.922.517.6

60.419.719.9

6117.221.8

60.515.524

60.613.625.8

6012.327.7

6011.129

59.81030.2

59.48.931.7

59.27.833

58.56.934.5

58.56.235.3

58.65.336.1

59.14.536.4

Married

Cohabiting

One parent

Ark1

20-2425-2930-3435-3940-4445-4950-5455-59

1961-1965206.8182.485.644.322.612.16.53.2

1966-1970226176.780.438.320.311.36.13.1

1971-1975208163.770.436.316.210.15.22.8

1976-1980142.3128.265.532.115.38.14.12.2

1981-198594.3105.458.627.613.38.33.71.9

1986-199061.389.356.629.512.37.24.22.1

1991-199538.172.549.72713.16.641.9

1996-200030.572.259.434.717.910.263.1

2001-2005246155.833.81812.26.83.2

Number of marriages

1966-197029055

1971-197527898

1976-198023677

1981-198521108

1986-199020407

1991-199519456

1996-200023314

2001-200522829

Ark1

20-24

25-29

30-34

35-39

40-44

45-49

50-54

55-59

Ark2

Number of marriages

Ark3


199311541

19948647

19956434

19968047

19977443

19987144

19998262

20007876

200110877

200210578

200311688


1961-654

1966-705.7

1971-759

1976-8012.3

1981-8520

1986-9033.7

1991-9534.8

1996-200048.9

2001-0450.3

MarriedCohabitingOne parent

049.239.910.9

153.835.510.6

257.33012.7

358.626.514.8

459.922.517.6

560.419.719.9

66117.221.8

760.515.524

860.613.625.8

96012.327.7

106011.129

1159.81030.2

1259.48.931.7

1359.27.833

1458.56.934.5

1558.56.235.3

1658.65.336.1

1759.14.536.4

Ark3

Two men

Two women

Married

Cohabiting

One parent

Divorce rate

1959-622.8

1969-723.9

1976-806.5

1981-857.9

1986-909.4

1991-9511.5

1996-200010.9

2001-0512.2

Divorces by no of yrs marriage lasted

0-2715

3-41101

5-92290

10-141501

15-191237

20-241138

25+1470

Children in different family forms, 2005

Diagram3

640075

167636

157022

76025

26112

10982

Ark1


1946-1950*26.9

1951-1955*26.1

1956-1960*25.3

1961-1965*24.1

1966-1970*23.6

1971-1975*23.4

1976-1980*24.8

1981-1985*25.8

1986-199025.2

1991-199526.1

1996-200027.1

2001-200527.8



1961-6523.424.1

1966-7022.823.6

1971-7522.823.4

1976-8023.324.8

1981-8524.225.8

1986-9025.525.2

1991-9526.926.1

1996-200028.627.1

200229.527.8

Ark1

Ark2



Ark3

Bulgaria1.2

Italy1.2

Latvia1.2

Lithuania1.2

Poland1.2

Spain1.2

Crotia1.3

Germany1.3

Greece1.3

Romania1.3

Russia1.3

Austria1.4Fertility rate

Estonia1.4

Portugal1.5

Belgium1.6

Great Britain1.6

Denmark1.7

Finland1.7

Sweden1.7

the Netherlands1.7

Norway1.8

France1.9

Iceland1.9

Ireland2

Divorce rate

Ireland0.7

Italy0.7

Spain0.9

Greece1.1

Poland1.2

Iceland1.8

Portugal1.8

France1.9

the Netherlands2.1

Norway2.3

Austria2.4

Germany2.4

Sweden2.4

Latvia2.5

Finland2.6

Great Britain2.6

Denmark2.8

Belgium3

Estonia3

Lithuania3

USA3.8

Fertility rateDivorce rate

Estonia1.43

Latvia1.22.5

Lithuania1.23

Poland1.21.2

Italy1.20.7

Spain1.20.9

Greece1.31.1

Portugal1.51.8

Germany1.32.4

Austria1.42.4

Belgium1.63

Great Britain1.62.6

the Netherlands1.72.1

France1.91.9

Ireland20.7

Denmark1.72.8

Finland1.72.6

Sweden1.72.4

Norway1.82.3

Iceland1.91.8

Ark3

Fertility rate

Divorce rate

no. of children, 2005

Married parents64007559.4

Cohabiting parents16763615.6

Mother only15702214.6

Mother and stepfather760257.1

Father only261122.4

Father and step-mother109821

1077852

Non-resident fathers contact with their children

The family and the welfare stateDivision of labourIncreased demand for work/ family reconciliation policiesIncreased demand for social care services (child-care, care for the elderly)Child-centred social investment strategy and policies to combat child poverty

Main elements of present Norwegian family policiesUniversal child benefitParental leave44 weeks with full wage replacement or 54 weeks with 80% wage replacement (up to a ceiling)9 weeks are reserved for the mother, 6 weeks reserved for the fatherBenefits for lone parentsChild-care servicesCash-for-childcareCare services for the elderly

Diagram1

06120

06140

06160

06180

06220

26240

26270

36294

36294

36294

36294

36296

Must be taken before birth

Reserved for mother

May be shared

Reserved for father

Figure 2. Parental leave arrangements 1985-1997, 2007. Weeks at 100% wage replacement.

Ark1

Must be taken before birthReserved for motherMay be sharedReserved for father

198506120

198606120

198706140

198806160

198906180

199006220

199126240

199226270

199336294

199436294

199536294

199636294

200736296

Ark1

0000

0000

0000

0000

0000

0000

0000

0000

0000

0000

0000

0000

Must be taken before birth

Reserved for mother

May be shared

Reserved for father

Figure 2. Parental leave arrangements 1985-1997. Weeks at 100% wage replacement.

Ark2

Ark3

Proportions and numbers of fathers taking parental leave, Norway, 1991-2006

Diagram1

26.69.3

36.315.4

39.518.3

43.321.7

46.725.1

49.828.6

52.431.3

54.933.9

59.839.8

61.138.8

61.136.9

6237.1

63.339

65.940.9

69.143.9

72.247.8

76.254.1

80.461.8

Children 1-5

Children 1-2

Proportion of children in different age groups in kindergartens, Norway 1975-2004

Ark1

Children 1-5Children 1-2

19756.83.1

198019.36.8

198526.69.3

199036.315.4

199139.518.3

199243.321.7

199346.725.1

199449.828.6

199552.431.3

199654.933.9

199759.839.8

199861.138.8

199961.136.9

20006237.1

200163.339

200265.940.9

200369.143.9

200472.247.8

200576.254.1

200680.461.8

Ark1

Children 1-5

Children 1-2

Proportion of children in different age groups in kindergartens, Norway 1975-2004

Ark2

Ark3

The division of labour between families and welfare states

Crowding out?Crowding in?No influence?Division of work?

Cant each and every person, also in Norway, take on some responsibility for their parents who have given birth to them and raised them? This idea is seen as primitive and anti-freedom in present-day Norway. And it does not match the individualistic and selfish direction Norwegians in some ways have moved, there the only emphasis is on self-actualisation and the fulfilment of ones own needs. Attiq Ahmad Sohail, medical student, Aftenposten 18th April 2008)

It is well documented that Norwegian family members take a high degree of responsibility for their elderly and disabled, and this activity is not declining, quite the opposite. Sohail also claims that the idea of caring for elderly parents is seen as primitive and anti-freedom in present-day Norway. Where did he get that idea? The claim is entirely unsubstantiated, the opposite is well documented. Moreover, his claim is an insult to all those who spend enormous time and energy in the best interest of frail elderly parents year after year. It is disappointing, even frightening, to read such nonsense from a University student. Tor Inge Romren, professor in ageing research, NOVA, Aftenposten 22th April 2008

Forms of help to the frail elderly, different countries

Diagram1

1552031

406512

3031218

2416823

11283611

Only family

Family and welfare state

Only welfare state

Others

Ark1

Andel enslige forsrgereFattigdomsrater for enslige forsrgere

Spania2.331.6

Italia2.822.2

Hellas3.724.9

Nederland7.423.6

Frankrike7.726.1

Irland846.4

Belgia8.213.5

Finland11.87.1

Australia14.135.6

Norge1513.1

Danmark15.213.8

USA16.655.4

Storbritannia2045.6

Sverige21.36.7

Ark1

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

Andel enslige forsrgere

Fattigdomsrater for enslige forsrgere

Ark2

Only familyFamily and welfare stateOnly welfare stateOthers

Israel1552031

Spain406512

Germany3031218

England2416823

Norway11283611

Ark2

0000

0000

0000

0000

0000

Only family

Family and welfare state

Only welfare state

Others

Ark3

Quotes from Norwegian respondents (source: Daatland and Herlofson 2004)Society has the main responsibility, but the family can step up with other forms of help. (son of a frail elderly parent)

The family must be there and provide support, but not as an obligation or a job. The main responsibility should be on the public and on professionals. (daughter of a frail elderly parent)

You should not expect care and nursing from your children, but of course that they should support you, come to visit and so on. (frail elderly Norwegian mother)

To sum up:Norwegian fertility rates are below replacement level, but above the European average. People have children later in life.Increasing proportions of children are living with only one of their biological parents, usually the mother, butAlmost all these children have some contact with their fathers, and the majority have frequent and regular contact.The welfare state is an active partner for Norwegian familiesStill, there is a lot of informal support both in cash and in kind between young adults and their parents, and between frail elderly parents and their children/ grandchildren

Documents

The family in Norwegian society