The family and pre-school education in the european union: reconciling education and work

摘要

The family is a sociocultural, economic and ideological institution which is both essential and irreplaceable. It is a basic part of our social fabric and a key element in man's personal development. In recent years, the sociological context of the EU has changed. Parental and working roles have to be made compatible and the boundary of educational responsibilities between family and school should be clearly delimited. Society pressurises parents into “parking” their children in pre-school educational centres while they are at work. But to what extent can the “all-powerful” state encroach on the educational space of the family?