FAMILY, FAMILY POLICIES AND ECONOMICAL CRISIS IN GREECE

In this paper we will look at the family in the context of the recent and ongoing economic crisis in Greece. In the first part of the paper we examine the historical path of the family in general and especially in Greece, its basic definitions, the sociological study of its structure and its functions as well as its changes, the new forms of family. These changes are linked to wider economic and social changes, as well as changes in family policies. For example, the massive entry of women into education and the labor market alters existing family equilibrium and gradually leads the EU and Greece in the design and implementation of measures to "harmonize" family and professional life. We refer to parental leave, childcare facilities, but also for the elderly. Then, in the second part of the paper, we record the definitions and the different perspectives that attempt to explain the phenomenon of the economic crisis, a phenomenon which since 2009 has deeply affected the Greek society, creating particularly difficult economic and social conditions. The successive Greek governments resorted to support mechanisms and to the signing of "Memoranda", which had as their stated aim the solution of the economic stalemate and the restoration of economic growth in Greece - something that is still not very visible. The austerity measures that the "Memoranda" brought with them, have plagued the Greek people, as a large percentage of the population was in dire economic conditions, often failing to meet its basic needs. In the third part of the paper we describe the impact of the economic crisis on Greek families, as well as on family policies. Here we see elements that do not change dramatically, but are a continuation of trends observed over the past decade (such as the age of first child acquisition by women), but also changing elements such as marriage policy, support, but also the strengthening of family benefit policies.