Family solidarity in Europe alive and well

Abstract

Families in Europe span more generations than they did a few decades ago.And each successive generation consists of fewer people.Yet family solidarity has remained strong,with parents supporting their children and vice versa.We do see considerable differences across Europe,however.In southern Europe,for example, it is far more common for the elderly to live in with their children and to have frequent contact with each other than in northern Europe.Similarly,southern Europeans feel a stronger sense of obligation towards their children and grandchildren than people in northern European countries.