The essay deals with some family policies in Europe, trying to set them in the debates on the most recent models for welfare states and on the transformation of social risks. In this way it defines the specific features of women’s citizenship and underlines some gaps in the Italian debate on the welfare state.only subscribers can see the full article

The need to receive and give care has long remained hidden in the division of labour between community and family and between men and women. As a result, for a long time both dependence on care and the responsibility for providing it were not recognized as fundamental rights of citizenship. A partial exception was that of maternity leave. There is also a continuing asymmetry in the way in which the care needs of various subjects are recognized and the unpaid or paid work of those who respond to these needs. This marginality risks becoming more problematic at this time.only subscribers can see the full article

In this work we offer an interpretation of the difficulties for women in reconciling work and care of family members. Welfare in Italian families has traditionally rested on the care work of women, mothers, daughters and grandmothers. This has notably restricted both their work and fertility choices. However, this model is now in crisis for demographic and sustainability reasons of various kinds.only subscribers can see the full article