The European Union Social Policy - Essay Example

Report topic: Evaluate reforms in the context of EU social policy --- How do these policies relate to EU strategies in your policy area Table of Contents List of tables and figures 3 Terms of reference 4 Findings and recommendations 5 Section 1 Introduction 6 1.2 The European Union Social Policy 7 Section 2 Italy 9 Section 3 Greece 13 Section 4 Conclusion 15 Reference 18 List of tables and figures Table 1: The family status of Italy further suggesting impact on education of an individual. Pg.12 Table 2: The average of family children among European Union countries. Pg.13 Terms of reference European Union Social Action Programmes EU Maastricht and Amsterdam Treaties EU Social Charter Ministry of Family Policies (Italy) Family Benefits (Greece) Eurobarometer Findings and recommendations This research established that: - There is an infancy for the promotion of family welfare in Italy. - That although "family" could be morally intact in Italy, there is a threat that an ageing population and increasing birth rate cripples present and future goals. - There is a need to focus on social services to be provided at present. - Greece has a slightly better situation in the family population problem. - Greece needs to act on the wide gap of economic and social welfare provisions for low income families focusing on those with a child or children. - The European Union, very much focused on economic if not trade statistics and growth is missing the crux of the ageing and declining population. - EU would continue to push for maximizing "incomes" and "GDPs" as well as other economic indicators in order to polish its social policy. Section 1 Introduction It is always the aim of every governing body, local and international, to provide the best possible services and condition of living among its citizens. For countries within the European Union, the merging of policies, from economic, political, and social aspects proved a challenge as various cultures, environments, backgrounds, history and peoples all pose possible problems among policy makers. In addition, it had been obvious that economic objectives come first prior to welfare issues, although much effort has been undertaken by the European Commission to encompass competence. Wilensky et al (1987) defined family policy as an umbrella of different policies and programmes that aim to provide for a variety of individuals from the young, old and even transition singles such as those divorced, separated or widowed, as well as women separated from financial sources but family policy has also been argued as a disguise for a series of population programmes, labour market and health policies (Kamerman and Kahn, 1978). Family policy has been proposed to have three components: Family legislation Social services targeted to families and Income transfer to families (Wennemo, 1992). This paper will try to focus on Greece and Italy's social policy on family using information from previous research and studies as well as updates on advocate groups, and other available data. Generally, the role of the family as an active player in national development has been well-accepted by many progressive countries. But although this topic on family is a huge area of undertaking that encompasses all members of a family from children or minors, parents (their employment status and other concerns) as well as the elderly members, the researcher shall try to maintain focus in consideration of a cohesive unit and other relevant areas shall be incorporated including but not limited to the provision of services for young children, the transformation of family structures and functions, and developments in social policy as well as that upholding the welfare of the family as an integrative whole. 1.2 The European Union Social Policy It was suggested that since the mid-1990s, there had been several steps undertaken towards an integration of social policy in the European Union. But there had been noted reluctance in many countries, and nationals to go further. It was then suggested that the integration of European Union social policy needs more comprehensive 'Europeanization'. In addition, it was presumed and suggested that the norms that underlie the European model provide the rationale for integration, and the usual focus on the differences between countries in the approaches to, and delivery mechanisms of the welfare state are not as great an obstacle as been perceived. Likewise, it was also pointed out that the EU countries have good reasons to adopt a common approach to social policy, even if implementation remains at the national level since the open method of coordination provides the means of reconciling these aims (Begg and Berghman, 2002). With this in view, there are considerations to incorporate in this essay with regards to achieving a common goal including, most of all equality among individuals in the EU. The European Commission defined equality as "a situation in which all individuals can develop their capabilities and can make choices without being constrained by gender stereotypes or restrictive roles, and where different behaviours, goals and needs of women and men are equally recognised, valued and promoted," (1998). Policies include programs that aim to remove barriers for the full integration of women in the labour market (Steinberg and Cook, 1988), but as is, it was also been emphasised that where economic goals are promoted, social policy is legitimate in the European Union (Aust, Daguerre & Taylor-Gooby, 2007). Nevertheless, EU policy has been described as non-interventionist, liberal, open market oriented and with a social protection course of action. Through the European Council at Nice (December 2000), EU enumerated the social policy agenda as follows: 1. facilitate participation in employment and access by all to resources, rights, goods and services 2. Prevent the risks of exclusion 3. help the most vulnerable 4. mobilise all relevant bodies. Starting in the 1980s, the Commission exerted efforts to establish social policy concerns side by side with economic issues. The Social Charter was developed listing fundamental rights for workers and was passed as a non-binding solemn declaration at the 1989 Strasbourg summit later on influencing the 1989 Social Action Programme (Aust, et al, 2007). Among the inclusions in the Social Protocol of the Maastricht Treaty are: qualified majority voting in the council for health and safety, working conditions, worker's consultation, equal opportunities and treatment, and the integration of those excluded from the labour market. In addition, the 1993 Green paper on Social Protection enumerated European objectives of: solidarity and integration, equal opportunities, establishing common social standards, and social cohesion in growth, human capital and high employment (EC, 1993). Although the Amsterdam Treaty in 1997 incorporated the full Social Protocol ending the UK opt out, as well as addressed discrimination through Article 13, there had been no new financial commitment and measures for improving the position of the elderly and of the disabled, which were finally dropped in the text (Aust et al, 2007). Likewise, the Fourth Social Action Programme of 1998 to 2000 reflected the labour-market orientation of EU social policy stressing "jobs, skills and mobility" and the changing world of work, as well as an inclusive society. This led to the observation that EU follows an uneven path of development mainly linked to employment rights and related activities concerned with poverty, disability, and youth and women's opportunities in employment (Aust et al, 2007). The following table illustrates and sums up the status of European Council social policy: Source: Geyer, Ingrebitsen & Moses, 2000, p 204. Section 2 Italy In the formation of a Ministry for Family Policies, Italy indicated an intention to make the family the centrepiece of a policy capable of harmonising and protecting the rights of the family, even to the level of its members. But it was also acknowledged that families have been "often left on their own devices to deal with the new demographic emergencies of population ageing and the declining birth rate, the radical changes taking place in the labour market and the uncertainties of economic growth which often lead to increased poverty," (Bindi, 2006, p 2). As suggested by Borschette (2004), in a three year research funded by the European Union under the fifth framework programme on Changing Family Structures and Social Policies, general concerns must focus on the provision of services for young children, the transformation of family structures and functions, and developments in social policy. The research project on Changing Family Structures and Social Policies pointed out the need for understanding how the new challenges calling into question the social cohesion of families and their members in their relationship with society on issues as the socialization and education of children, the relation of parents to the labour market, the sharing of family roles and participation in social life. It was established that the provision of childcare services for young children is considered as a form of social protection, but there is a greater need to examine the relationship between the state, families, the labour market and associations in order to put into perspective the changing welfare mix in the delivery of care, with regard to several fundamental issues: the sharing of responsibility for the delivery of care between different actors, according to the principles of socio-political justification; the plurality of economic resources which may be public, profit-driven or based on volunteers allocated to the provision of childcare; modes of regulation of public contingencies; and forms of local governance. As such, local regulations arising from the compromise that arises in arrangements between national and local actors in the public, private and third sectors must also be maintained since childcare services and policies are developed at the local level. In social issues from development and education, conciliation between family and professional life, especially for mothers, a fairer division of tasks between parents; social exclusion of single-parent families, parenthood, the national and local government encourage a quantitative development of supply and set up a policy of diversification of services, providers and funding (Borschette, 2004). Reconciliation of the diversification of social supply and demand with the cooperation of the various actors: families, public and private actors and associations is necessary as diversification of services reinforce local social polarization, with each social category accessing, either by choice or by default, childcare services specific to their family, professional or geographic situation. Bindi (2006) provided an overview of Italy's social policy on the family stating among others that only three percent of social spending is allocated to the family which is measly in comparison with Europe's average of 8.2%. In addition, it was stated that Italy's family expenditure is only one percent of GDP as compared to EU family's 2%. Italy is considered delayed for decades in implementing a policy which has taken for granted the role and needs of the family (Bindi, 2006) resulting to the provision of many public social responsibilities. The rights of the family has also been emphasised through article 29 of the Constitution specifying, "The Republic recognises the rights of the family as a natural society founded on marriage," but Bindi (2006) claimed that "the legal culture and political practice have generally been cautious, if not contrary, to appraising these rights as the rights of the group and not the rights of individuals," (p 3.) Concerns pointed out regarding the Italian family includes the decline of the Italian population, the need for a 2.1% fertility rate as Italy has Europe's lowest fertility or birth rate, the increase of ageing population aged 80 or above with a ratio of 1 in 20 persons by 2004, and the Italian family having on average "half a child" by 2005 with a 2.5% average number of family members. Nevertheless, the Italian family population stood at 23,600,370 with 90% of Italian children born from marriage. In a study, (Checchi, 2003) it was suggested that even in the education process, achievement or mobility of students depends on the family, meaning that the state of the family has an influence on the individual. Consequently, social condition further stratifies the individual and the family in general. The following table provides a glimpse on the family status of Italy further suggesting impact on education of an individual: (Source: Checchi, 2003) Already, Checchie (2003) established that Italy is characterised by low educational achievement as compared to other European countries with similar levels of development as strongly affected by parental education. However, she added that provision of right incentives could increase return to higher level of schooling further establishing that social stratification through the schooling process occurs in Italy. Nevertheless, this condition is far outweighed by the challenge posed by the Ministry of Family Policies: "How can we support a form of family welfare against the background of the ageing population" but with a proposed approach both universal and selective: provision of a network of services for the family, policies to foster reconciliation of work and private life, monetary transfers and fiscal policies (Bindi, 2006). Section 3 Greece Papadopoulous (1996) pointed out that Greece has a strong attachment to the nuclear family indicated in the high proportion of married couples with two children in contrast with other European countries, which has also been acknowledged as typical. Following is a comparative table indicating average of family children among European Union countries: (Source: Papadopolous, 1996) In addition to describing the family in Greece, it also has the second lowest divorce rate in Europe and the lowest percentage of births outside marriage, although lone parenthood stigmatisation and unrestricted access to abortion has been suggested as cause (Papadopolous, 1996). In addition, it was acknowledged that there is a lack of welfare support for lone parents in Greece as a result of certain social practices. The Greeks, apparently are very supportive of the institution of the family as indicated by a Eurobarometer report (CEC, 1993). In fact, another survey (MRB Hellas, 1994) indicated that the majority of respondents believed that "the family is the basis of a healthy society" as well as "life without family is meaningless." But changes due to modernisation, shift of economy base from agriculture to services and industry, rapid urbanisation and migration, cultural and economic impact of tourism, increase in accessibility to higher education, increase in women labour force participation and changes in family legislation upon entry to the European Community (Petmesidou, 1991). It was observed that there was a shift from more egalitarian gender roles (Lambiri-Dimaki, 1983) and gradual detachment from traditional roles within families (Kouvertaris and Dobratz, 1987). Greek family policy has been under attack as couples either stop having children and delay having another after one child during the recent decades as purchasing power decreases (Dretakis, 1994). The Eurobarometer (1993) survey indicated that Greek respondents mentioned the level of child allowance as one of the most important issues that could alleviate family life difficulties with 22.5 percent indicating an average level of dissatisfaction, highest in EU. There are a non-income related family benefits as well as income-related family benefits existing in Greece but it is to be noted that non-income related family benefits are allocated to families with three or more children in an attempt to increase the low birth rate. There is also extra help for lone parent families as well as families with children having learning disabilities (Papapodolous, 1996). Tax incentives are also given to couples with children. Nevertheless, Papadopolous summed up that Greece ranks very low in its welfare sate support for children as package is least generous considering further that Greece has the highest inequality in income distribution in Europe (Petmesidou, 1991). Section 4 Conclusion As may be deemed from the European Union's aims and declarations, programmes and implementations, there are obviously an attempt to integrate fully a single Europe as economies, cultures and social policies are merged to form a united goal, but these still need a lot of polishing, cooperation between governments and their nationals, as well as an understanding that differences and barriers will be present at all times. As for Greece and Italy, social policies on families are similar in ways that these still need a lot of refinement, consideration for various needs of the less powerful in society, as well as in the promotion of the importance of social family bonding. Both countries have a rich tradition for a cohesive nuclear family, but they are also both victims of a blurring priority views further influenced by trade memberships and leaders that have a single vision for what is good, that is purely "economic" in shape and size. Greece and Italy are most challenged with their ageing population and this is a general concern for most European countries today. Nevertheless, contrast can be viewed where Greece's family income or resources was perceived as a problem due to the widening gap between the rich and the poor, whereas Italy is most concerned with the low or zero population growth. Reforms are quite timely in Italy as basic or constitutional rights are put forward in the government program. And Greece could learn to follow although its governance must first try to bridge economic differences in its populace. These concerns could be considered national in context, and the European Council could only offer "global poverty alleviation" as an answer. As stated earlier, where social concerns are parallel with economic goals, the EU, as a powerful partner of the World Trade Organisation, could only respect personal choices of individual workers, to have children or not, but could influence workers' "job contentment" views through equal opportunities and gender equality policies. The only definite fact is that the time will come when the EU leadership would have to face extinction due to old age themselves. Once they stop thinking as a "corporation" then, family concerns would be addressed. Reference Aust, A., Daguerre, A., and Taylor-Gooby, P. (2007). "European Social Policy." University of Kent working papers. Accessed from www.kent.ac.uk/wramsoc/workingpapers/firstyearreports/backgroundreports Begg, I. and Berghman (2002). "Introduction: EU social (exclusion) policy revisited." Journal of European Social Policy, Vol. 12, No. 3, 179-194. Bindi, Rosy. (2006). "Hearing before the Social Affairs Committee." July 18. 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