Family, ageing and gender

The sub-group analyses, from a sociological viewpoint, the issues of Family, Ageing and Gender within the wider framework of the study of work, family and social policies. The sub-group thus organises its work into research themes common to the areas of work, employment, professions and organisations, in particular: the development of family social policies and the articulation between family life and employment; interrelations and impacts of labour policies and family policies; demographic dynamics, support networks for the elderly, gender equality and the dynamics of inter-generational relationships.

The activity of the sub-group is organised into four strategic objectives.

The first objective refers to changes in families and resilience, focusing on the development of individuals and relationships between families, and highlighting changes in family formation models and the impacts of those changes on the configuration of the domestic space and the range of tasks traditionally assigned to families in the upbringing of new generations. Additionally, this objective includes the analysis of conflict within families, with a special focus on domestic violence (against women, children, parents and the elderly).

The second objective studies ageing in a home context and in the community. Research on this topic focuses essentially on the analysis of how life is organised in old age, particularly where dependence and social disadvantage are concerned. This objective implies the development of several projects, namely: elderly abuse – risk factors and determining factors within the family and in institutional contexts; ageing in urban territories – ageing trajectories in differentiated territories.

The third objective refers to the promotion of participation and inclusion in its broadest senses, taking into consideration the various social relations and socioeconomic activities: combining family life with working life; transition from the labour market to retirement; lifelong learning and active aging; ageism and labour market participation of older workers; migrations and their impacts on intergenerational relations; care and social protection in old age.

The fourth objective focuses on the study of the quality and sustainability of social protection systems. Studies address in particular the trade-offs and other avenues for reforming and upgrading social protection systems and the sustainability thereof, in particular in a country like Portugal, which has an institutional history of a traditional-type of social protection.

Coordination: Isabel Dias