"Baby crash" shock
A NEW report on family policy claims to want to "reconcile" family and porfessional life. Could any parent be opposed to this abstract idea?
However, the real aim of the report is to propose steps which will stem the decline in France's birth-rate — a source of so-called "instability",
International Viewpoint #254 March 1994
The report does not say. But the juxtaposition of an increase in the number of abortion with lamentations about the "decline of our France" is not by chance.
As the decline in the birth rate is considered a source of "instability", "atrophy" and "despair", the proposals
ISABELLE FOREST* — Paris, 14 February 1994
T HIS spring, the French
National Assembly is due to discuss a new draft law on the family presented by the government. This draft is currently being discussed between the different ministries concerned (Social Affairs, Finances, etc) and the precise content is not yet known. On the other hand, we do know one of the documents used by the government advisers in preparing this text: the Report on Family Policy by Colette Codaccioni (deputy for the right-wing Rally for the Republic party), prepared on request of the Prime Minister.
This report has a clearly pro-natalist orientation. Its goal is to strengthen the place of the family, considered as the mainspring of society. While some of the measures suggested could be seen as simple "social common sense" and accept the diverto the "decline of our France". The main reason for the fall in the birth rate is said to lie in the weakening of the family: fewer marriages, more divorces and births outside marriage. This weakening then produces a "family deficit for the child which will inevitably be reflected in the adult" and which provokes "lasting handicaps". What does this mean? The report does not say, the suggestion is enough. Are not single mothers in the United States seen as responsible for juvenile delinquency or even criminali-
Women going out to work is described as an incontestable and unavoidable fact of society, which a coherent pronatalist policy must take into account, by making it possible to "reconcile" family and professional life. Which parents could be against the abstract idea of aim to "restore the family" and the "secular values of civil marriage". The suggestion is made, in order to carry through this ambition, that there should be a standing committee on family policy and an annual debate in parliament on the question.
The main measure proposed is the creation of an APLC (Allocation Parentale de Libre Choix, parental allowance for free choice). This would be paid for all children, from birth to entry to nursery school, "whatever the parent's activity". In fact, given the current situation, this allowance is only addressed to parents who would stop working, at least partially. It would replace the existing allowances for small children, care of the child in the home, and for payment of a registered childminder. It would be half the legal minimum wage if the parent stopped work completely and pro rata if the parent worked part-time. There would be three supplementary measures along with the creation of the APLC.
se reality of the family
The consequences of this fall in the birth today, this is mixed in with rate are described in an apocalyptic a classically reactionary manner, talking of an extremely harsh view of the world focused
"demographic winter" which will lead to on the strengthening of the family institution. In the the "decline of our France"
present economic context, these measures aim to lower artificially unemployment figures and pretend to offer a solution to the crisis. As large families are, by definition, large consumers this should automatically lead, according to Colette Codaccioni and others, to stimulating economic growth.
The section of the report which notes the current trends in society is centred around the idea of a "baby crash"
whose scope is largely exaggerated (see interview with Hervé Le Bras in
Cahiers du Féminisme, no. 67, 1994).
The consequences of this fall in the birth rate are described in an apocalyptic manner, talking of an extremely harsh
"demographic winter" which will lead
"reconciliation"? But people should not try to make us believe that the increase in part-time work or in claims for the APE (Allocation Parentale d' Education, state allowance payable to parents who stay at home with their third or subsequent children) are the result of a free choice. We know very well that it is most often for want of anything better that women are forced into this. The authors of the report cite in passing the number of abortions performed per year which was stabilised at 170-180,000 per year except, it so happens, since 199091 where there has been a considerable increase (although the figures are not given). Why propagate this rumour?
First, the parent concerned would be credited with social security and pension contributions. Second there would be increased possibilities for organising work-time (annualisation, variable working hours, part-time) and a "sick children's leave" would be introduced for twelve paid days per year. Thirdly the "service voucher" system of the five-year employment plan would be extended. This is a system of buying the working time of employees (as one buys luncheon vouchers) for "personal workers". This measure, which is apparently supposed to create 40,000 jobs, aims to encourage children being looked after in their homes.
* The author is a member of the Revolutionary Communist League (LCR), French section of the Fourth International. The article is taken, with permission, from the forthcoming Spring edition of the socialist-feminist journal Cahiers du Féminisme.
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"atrophy" and "despair". FRANCE