Support to parents in some EU countries : Experiences and trends

Ideja o značaju roditeljstva i njegovog uticaja na dečiji rast i razvoj, kao i razvoj društva u celini široko je prihvaćena i priznata, o čemu govore istraživanja iz ove oblasti, kao i sve veća pažnja i značaj koji se pridaje podršci roditeljima u Evropi i svetu. U zemljama Evropske unije oblast podrške roditeljima je godinama činila segment šireg političkog konteksta koji je sadržao intervencije i korektivne mere usmerene ka „rizičnim grupama” roditelja. U poslednje dve decenije, usled promena porodične politike u oblasti podrške roditeljima, sve više se govori o preventivnim aktivnostima koje se zasnivaju na konceptu ljudskog, odnosno društvenog kapitala. Teorija ljudskog kapitala pruža adekvatan okvir za razumevanje značaja investiranja u razvoj veština i znanja pojedinca kroz obrazovanje i podučavanje, insistirajući na odgovornosti za sopstveni status i napredak. U skladu sa tim, na podršku roditeljima se sve više gleda kao na značajnu socijalnu investiciju koja doprinosi dobrobitima dece, a roditeljske kompetencije se sagledavaju kao preduslov razvoja pojedinca i društva. Primenom analize sadržaja dokumenta – izveštaja Eurofonda i izveštaja Evropske komisije, da bismo stekli uvid u tendencije u okviru oblasti podrške roditeljima koja se razmatra sa stanovišta teorije ljudskog kapitala, sagledali smo elemente podrške i strukturu usluga, sferu politike i praktične primene u nekim zemljama EU. Integrisan pristup univerzalnim uslugama, raznovrsnost obima, organizacije, modeli usluga i finansiranje čine glavne odlike podrške roditeljima. Kritičkim sagledavanjem oblasti i postojećih tendencija, putem unapređivanja obrazovnih ishoda, definisanjem jedinstvenih kriterijuma kvaliteta i nacionalnih standarda moguće je unaprediti podršku roditeljima kako u kontekstu Evrope, tako i naše zemlje.The idea of importance of parenting and its impact on children’s growth and development as well as on development of overall society, is widely accepted and acknowledged, as evidenced by the research in this field. It is also maintained by increasing attention and significance attached to support to parents, in Europe and worldwide. In the EU countries, the support to parents has been a part of a broader political context for years, with implied interventions and corrective measures directed at “at-risk groups” of parents. In the last two decades, due to changes in family policy in the field of support to parents, there has been an increasing talk of preventive activities based on the concept of human and social capital. Human capital theory provides a suitable framework for understanding the importance of investment into development of the individual’s skills and knowledge through education and teaching, and insists on responsibilities for own status and progress. In this regard, the support to parents is increasingly seen as a significant social investment that contributes to wellbeing of children, while the parental competencies are seen as precondition for development of an individual and society. Using the content analysis of a document - the Eurofund report and the report of European Commission to gain the insight into trends in the field of support to parents observed from the standpoint of the human capital theory, we reflected on the elements of support and structure of services, political factors and practical use in some EU countries. Integrated approach to universal services, diversity of scope, organization, service models and financing are the main characteristics of support to parents. By critically reviewing the field and current trends, by improving educational outcomes, defining unique quality criteria and national standards, it is possible to improve support to parents both in Europe and our country.Zbornik rezimea / 24. Međunarodna naučna konferencija "Pedagoška istraživanja i školska praksaBook of abstracts / 24th International Scientific Conference "Educational Research and School Practice