Experienta internationala privind suportul familiilor numeroase prin intermediul cardurilor de reduceri

Abstract

The continuity of the existence and development of society depends to a large extent on the socio-economic situation of the families that form it. Large families with many children due to the higher number of dependent people in the family and a higher level of expenses that need to be covered by the income of the dependent adults risk being in a more disadvantaged position than other types of families. To support these families, multiple generic support measures have been adopted that benefit other vulnerable groups, too, but one of the specific tools implemented in some countries is special discount cards for large families, whose implementation experience has been sporadically treated in the literature and particularly for certain types of such cards. This article deals more comprehensively with the experience of countries in support of large families through such measures, on examples of Latvia, Poland, Spain and private associations and initiatives of economic agents. The analysis showed that at the initiative of the state such measures are carried out rather sporadically and are rarely comprehensive, they are part of the broader framework of family policy programs including tax deductions, reductions or exemptions from the payment of expenses for kindergartens and food centers, electric and termic energy, social housing, public transport, studies and other public services, and from economic agents and associations for large families - different types of discounts on the range of products and services sold or promoted.