Conclusions: Lives of families in face of economic crisis in Europe

Abstract

Since the middle of the 20th century, some of the family’s functions were taken by welfare state. As a consequence, individuals became socially and economically independent from the family and community more than never before. At the same time, the family institution changed drastically – became more open for new ways of living and daily life arrangements, family model became pluralistic and dynamic. In some cases, friends and others from beyond the nuclear and extended family replace family members and their roles, including friendship, love, care and support. Nevertheless, researches reveal, in the periods of crises, as older, as young generations preferences give to the family. And then families meet challenges once changed families not always are able to satisfy vital needs of its members. On the other hand, those who live in the traditional nuclear or extended family, also, meet some challenges because of various factors, e.g. unemployment, burden or dependents, and etc. Considering said above, the questions emerge: how families cope with challenges and hardships in the periods of economic crisis? What strategies do they apply? In order to extend knowledge on purposive experiences and behaviour strategies, prominent scholars from Germany, Italy, Lithuania, Spain, and Switzerland, and the United Kingdom joined efforts and created a manuscript based on their latest researches. The latter focus towards hardships, functional solidarity, and issues of vital human needs, including practices of co-residence, sharing of money, food acquisition. Some investigations conducted at national level, whereas other – at international level. Quantitative and qualitative research methodologies, as well, international comparative perspective used. Such multidimensional approach enable to identify both universal and unique experiences and behaviour strategies, and to ensure reliable results contributing to better understanding of the phenomena. To conclude, recession and austerity have made the lives of the families harder and more complex. Though, intergenerational relationships, personal networks, collaborative consumption, strategies applied on issues of co-residence, sharing of money, and food acquisition ensure the material provision for the family and its separate members during economically hard times.