Re/Familialization or De-Familialization: Differences in the Effects of Family Policies in Terms of Stratification

Abstract

This study examined the re/familialization and de-familialization effects of family policy types (in-cash or in-kind), and analyzed differences in the effects in terms of stratification. The family policies of 27 Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries were classified into in-cash and in-kind policies, and the effects of such policies on women with children in each country were investigated. Data were obtained from the International Social Survey Program (ISSP) and the OECD Social Expenditure Database (SOCX) and analyzed using a hierarchical general linear model (HGLM). Only the in-kind policy had a statistically significant direct effect: lower levels of in-kind policy were associated with higher levels of re/familialization (women staying at home). There was also a statistically significant interaction effect between in-cash policy and income level: women from lower income groups were more likely to stay at home. Follow-up studies are needed on the typology of family policies by public and private sector status.