Conservative familialism reconsidered: The case of Belgium

Abstract

The article aims at de-constructing the myths of a homogenous familialism in conservative welfare regimes and starts with an analytical conception of familialism. Thereafter, it is shown how Belgium - as one of the conservative welfare regimes with high priority for the family - changed its social care arrangements in the field of child care and older persons care over time. Traditionally, Belgium is known for a well-organized system of institutional child care, but during the last two decades, also payments for care and time rights to enable family care were introduced. The article analyses the introduction and reform of care policies and their effects on social care arrangements. In the concluding section, the findings of the Belgian case study will be interpreted within the framework of comparative welfare state research.