Focuses on the rise in childlessness, along with the outsourcing of family care and household production, which have helped to alter family life. This book examines how the choices women make are influenced by the culture of capitalism, feminist expectations, and the social policies of the welfare state.
Argues that the changes in welfare policy in Europe and the US are not marginal adjustments to the borders of the welfare state, but represent a fundamental shift or transformation in the design and philosophy of social protection. This work also provides evidence of how the system changes the nature of social cohesion.
The book examines how industrialized nations are rethinking social protection in response to evolving family dynamics and fiscal constraints. It highlights the challenges posed by demographic shifts and the need for innovative policy solutions. Key strategies discussed include targeting benefits to reduce program commitments and focusing resources on those most in need, while also allowing social welfare systems greater flexibility to adapt to changing demands.