Abstract

Europe is characterized by international and regional diversity in family life. Using the second wave of the European Social Survey, this paper scores subnational regions of 23 European countries according to three dimensions of family culture. We construct regional indicators and use them in a multilevel analysis of the use of grandparents as the main source of child care by European mothers. Results clearly show that the reliance on grandparental child care is subject not only to characteristics of mothers and the supply of formal child care, but cultural attitudes prevalent in the region where mothers live also have an impact. We find that, rather than individual mothers’ attitudes, it is the regional cultural climate that matters.

How to Cite:

Jappens, M. & Van Bavel, J., (2011) “Regionale gezinsculturen en kinderopvang door grootouders in Europa”, Tijdschrift voor Sociologie 32(3-4), 522–552. doi: https://doi.org/10.21825/sociologos.86788