A social policy for healthy families

Abstract

It is usually affirmed by many and especially the powers that be that the institution of the family is the cornerstone of society. Inspired by a strong Catholic culture, most Maltese actually tend to hold their family in high regard in the order of priorities of their values. lt is certainly true, however, that the traditional family is no longer the only model that is observed de nos jours. The forces of social change - that are best embodied by economic development, the advancementin education, the liberalisation of the media and lately European Union integration - have allowed the emergence of various family and household arrangements that, to a great or small extent, depart from the traditional norms in which the male and the female were expected to fulfill the roles of the breadwinner and housewife respectively. [excerpt]