This study examines attitudes towards policies of financial assistance to f
amilies in Germany and Israel. The unique circumstances of the last decade
- unification in Germany and the immigration to Israel of the 'returning Di
aspora' from the former Soviet Union - provide an opportunity to examine bo
th systemic and cultural bases for attitudes towards family policy. The com
parison of East Germans and immigrants to Israel with West Germans and nati
ve Israelis focuses on the socialist-capitalist polarity, and the compariso
n of Israel with Germany articulates traditional vs. less traditional famil
y orientations. Data from the 1994 Family and Gender Roles module of the In
ternational Social Survey Programme (ISSP) are used for the empirical analy
sis. Multivariate regression and covariance analysis reveals group main eff
ects as well as the differential impact of social and demographic variables
in the various population groups. West Germans display the least favourabl
e attitudes towards state financial support for the family and the greatest
age and class differences. Religiosity has a major effect on attitudes in
Israel, especially among veteran Israelis. Lastly, the socialist experience
appears to have had a homogenizing effect, resulting in small age, class,
and religiosity differences.