Artikel

Gezinsvergoedingen in België: ontstaan en evolutie

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Abstract

Origins and evolution of family allowances in Belgium - After studying the origins and the evolution of family allowances in Belgium, the author distinguishes four important dates : March 1, 1921, when the first compensation fund was created in Verviers; April 14, 1928, when the first legal decree came into force; August 4, 1930, when a law was promulgated enlarging the right to family allowances to every salaried employee; finally, June 10, 1937, when this right was extended to self employed people. After this, in the second part, the author examines the juridical development as applied to salaried employees. In an evolutionary analysis covering the 1930- 1970 time period, the author describes the changes in the law as applied to the three parties involved: those who are entitled to the benefits, the children for whom family allowances are paid, and the people to whom the actual allowances are given. The third part presents a quantitative study of the number of children who actually received family allowances. The author describes the steady increase in number of children receiving benefits and searches for influencing factors. He also analyses the evolutionary change for different categories of children (students, disabled children, etc.). In his final reflections the author emphasizes the double aim of family allowances: (1) to help alleviate the financial burdens of the children’s education; and (2) to encourage adults to conform to the state’s family policy. Furthermore, he tries to explain the results of the evolution, both demographically and sociologically. Two ideas come into prominence: the idea of social justice and the idea of social security.

How to Cite:

Asselberghs, L., (1973) “Gezinsvergoedingen in België: ontstaan en evolutie”, Tijdschrift voor Sociale Wetenschappen 18(2), 172–194. doi: https://doi.org/10.21825/tvsw.95943