Strand: Intergenerational relations

This research strand benefits substantially from the Netherlands Kinship Panel Study (NKPS). In this large-scale survey of family relationships in the Netherlands data from various family members are collected. The panel design allows the study of how and to what extent intergenerational relations and solidarity manifest themselves and change within families. From a demographic point of view the NKPS offers a host of leads for further research into themes such as changes in the structure of family networks, the influence of family circumstances on demographic choices, and the implications of changing demographic circumstances on the way in which family networks function. The multi-actor design allows us to address new sets of questions. What do differences between family members in the way they perceive their relationships tell us about the quality of their relationships and their families? How can life-course information from members of successive family generations inform us about patterns of social reproduction? To what extent is people's behaviour and well-being influenced by family-level factors and by individual-level factors?

From the onset NIDI has been involved in the Generations and Gender Programme (GGP), a system of nationally comparative surveys and contextual databases, which is aimed at improving the knowledge base for policy-making in UNECE countries. In some ways the NKPS can be viewed as a forerunner to and a source of inspiration for the GGP. In 2007 the NKPS joined the GGP. Participation in the GGP enables analyses of Dutch family networks and demographic behaviour in an international context. Furthermore the impact of policy and welfare regimes on demographic behaviour, labour market participation, and care to older and younger family generations can be studied. To enhance international comparability NKPS data are currently being harmonised with the GGP as part of NIDI's ongoing commitment to this international programme. NIDI was part of an international consortium that succeeded in acquiring multi-year funding under the 7th Framework Programme of the EU to further elaborate the GGP (Gender 2007). NIDI is leading this EU infrastructure project which started in January 2009.

This strand of research also has a focus on parental investments in young children. Here, a central focus is on documenting and understanding within- and between-country differences in fertility and parental investment into children. Of prime importance in understanding such differences is the role of policies.