On the conception of family policy in Slovakia.

On the Conception of Family Policy in Slovakia. The article is a response t o a critique of explicit family policy conception in Slovakia, formed aroun d the defence of implicit family policy conception. Implicit family policy alms primarily at the protection of citizens (Individual members of familie s) against the poverty through the complex system of social policies while the explicit one focuses exclusively on the strengthening of institutionali sed family and concrete families fulfilling their family functions. The cri tique of Erika Kvapilova argues for "new" family policy, which enforces "th e development of diversified forms of family coexistence". She fears that t hese "new" forms of family coexistence could be discriminated to the advant age of marital families. To prevent this discrimination, Kvapilova promotes the social policy aimed at individual family members instead of "the conse rvative family policy". The article introduces the basis and main emphasis for the selection of bas ic principles and strategic alms of state family policy in Slovakia, effect ive since 1996. It also concentrates on the principles and aims of five ide ntified areas of state intervention towards the families and their living c onditions. Analysing the social-cultural changes in the family sphere, the author high lights two significant concluding points: 1. The review of many critical op inions about the processes of social and family change indicates that the l iving family values actively participate at the creation of social system a nd the integration of society. Family policy is thus recognised as relevant value creating and sustaining agent. 2. The suitable conditions for the ph ysical, psychical and social development and safe family environment of chi ldren are the main emphasis of state family policy. This is also a criterio n for the creation of conditions for the secure perspective of children as well as for the informed freedom of choice for the adults, even between "th e diversified forms of family life".