This open access book brings together a unique set of comparative data from Western and Central Europe on how contemporary families live, and discusses the similarities and differences in family lifestyles in this region. The empirical data comes from the authors' original research derived from adult representatives of families with children in the Czech Republic, Germany, Latvia, Poland, Slovakia and Ukraine. The authors compare and interpret information on the social and economic situation of families, expressed satisfaction in their lifestyles, and leisure and media in the everyday life of families. Overall, the authors bring into the discussion both current knowledge and original empirical data on families and contribute to literature on the sociology of the family, particularly in Europe. This book is useful to researchers and students interested in family issues, along with professionals in the field of family care and social policy.

Provides unique data on families from Europe Includes a remarkable comparative perspective on how contemporary families live Brings topicality to contemporary discussions on social inclusion, social welfare and social policy

Autorentext
Blahoslav Kraus, PhD, is a professor at the Department of Sociology and Social Pathology, Faculty of Education, University of Hradec Králové, Czech Republic.

Leona Staová, PhD, is an assistant professor at the Department of Social Pedagogy, Faculty of Education, University of Hradec Králové, Czech Republic. 

Iva Junová, PhD, is an assistant professor at the Department of Social Pedagogy, Faculty of Education, University of Hradec Králové, Czech Republic. 

Peter Ondrejkovi , PhD, is a lecturing professor at the Faculty of Education, Palacký University, Olomouc, and Faculty of Education, University in Hradec Králové (both in the Czech Republic).  Wojciech wi tkiewicz, PhD, is Professor at the Department of Sociology of Knowledge, University of Silesia in Katowice, Poland, and Visiting Professor at the Department of Sociology, University of Constantinus the Philosopher in Nitra, Slovakia.

Lolita Vilka, PhD, is Associate Professor at RigaStradi s University, Latvia.

Ursula Rieke, PhD, is Professor at the Department of Social Work and Social Sciences, Catholic University of Applied Sciences, Mainz, Germany.

Ilze Trapenciere is Head of the International Master's Study programme, Riga Stradi s University, Latvia.

Liudmyla Pankiv is at the Dragomanov National Pedagogical University, Kyiv, Ukraine.

Inhalt
Preface
Chapter 1. A look at contemporary family life.- Chapter 2. Characteristics of family lives in Western and Central Europe.- Chapter 3. Socio-demographic situation and satisfaction in the family life.- Chapter 4. Leisure time in the lives of families.- Chapter 5. Media in the lives of contemporary families.