Family Policy Initiatives in Latin America: The Case of Colombia and Ecuador

Abstract

Family policy initiatives in Colombia andEcuador have targeted primarily families living in poverty. This paper discusses some of the major policy initiatives oriented to improve the living conditions of economically disadvantaged families in both countries. We argue that, even though governments recognize the importance of family policies, existing policies and programs for families living in poverty do not directly focus on family issues. They represent more implicit than explicit family policies. We analyze some of the issues that may hinder the development, implementation, and evaluation of family policies in Colombia and Ecuador. Such issues stem from political and economic instability, legislation, changing family demographics, as well as coordination among agencies that develop, implement, and evaluate policies. We discuss challenges related to family policies in both countries and recommendations to improve existing policy initiatives.

Migration and The Family Transformations It “Leaves Behind”: A Critical View From Ecuador

“…That said, in the face of the low education standards, high poverty rates and significant conjugal instability that can be documented in the Ecuadorian society as a whole (e.g. CEPAL, ; INEC, ; Carrillo et al, ), migration should arguably be understood as an amplifying (or even only highlighting) factor of social processes already under way.…”

Gender Dignity in the Colombian Labor Market (2000-2013)

“…That is, there are problems of commutative gender justice in the Colombian labor market. Women earn less than men so they have the same experience and level of studies (Carrillo, Ripoll, & Schvaneveldt, 2012).…”

“…According to Figure 11, in the informal sector economic activity is the most important self-employment (Carrillo, Ripoll, & Schvaneveldt, 2012). The Men participates very little in domestic employment and family work, this can be explained by culture, "household chores belong more to women than to men, or the men are educated to work in the street and women for housework".…”

Prevención del maltrato infantil : situación de la política pública en Bogotá

“…Pero este cambio en la normatividad tiene un antecedente, pues frente a los conocimientos de los comportamientos de maltrato infantil en Colombia, sabiendo que la familia es la base de la sociedad y la principal protectora de los menores de edad (Ley 1098(Ley , 2006, la historia ha mostrado cambios en los patrones familiares del país, antes de la colonización existía el matriarcado, luego pasó al patriarcado característico de la colonia Española, hasta llegar a la actualidad, en la que se ve la variedad de composiciones familiares (Carrillo & Ripoll-Nuñez, 2012). Colombia, 1991).…”