Families and government: Implementing a family perspective in public policy

The family theme in public policy has resurfaced and is alive and well. This article argues for a redirection of much research, discussion, and writing about family policy.1 There is too much focus on the content of policy—the need for a “comprehensive national family policy"—and not enough on the processes of policymaking. The most important challenge is how to encourage a family perspective in the development, implementation, and monitoring of policymaking at all levels of government. If these processes do not become family‐focused, the current progress in family policy is not likely to be sustained. This article briefly outlines the recent history of interest in family policy, a definition of family policy, a definition of, and the need for, a family perspective in the policymaking process, principles to evaluate public policies and programs from a family perspective, barriers to such efforts, and recommendations for reform at the national level to ensure that the needs of families are continuously taken into account.