Families and the State: A Cross‐Country Comparison of Family Policies in Latin America

Abstract

Having a child increases the demands on families' material and time resources. How much does the state contribute to meeting these needs? This article offers a new comparative analysis of the scope and strength of family policies in Latin America, including family allowances, cash transfers, childbirth paid leave, and ECEC services. It gets over existing data limitations using new indicators that capture the coverage and generosity of family policies across 17 Latin American countries. The results confirm previous findings in the literature regarding the limited role of the state and the familialist pattern of welfare production. Despite expansion taking place over the past 25 years, family policies remain weak in most countries. Results also pick up on the composition of family policy in different countries, identifying regional heterogeneity and informing much-needed policy improvements in the area.