The economy begins in the family– the state of the family and socio-economic development

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to present the links and research that confirm the family’s vital influence on the economic system. The family is understood here as a basic institution and a group that simultaneously guarantees the realization of the multidimensional process of social reproduction – from its demographic dimension, through socialization to economic. For this reason, the economic system – although often seen in economics as a separate sphere from the family and the household it manages – in fact exists, functions and develops only when families within the society take and perform the aforementioned roles. How they do it influences whether the economic system receives appropriate (and sufficient) number of entrepreneurs, workers and consumers who are adequately equipped with social skills (soft skills) and knowledge. The results of the research presented in the paper show clearly that the processes of decomposition of marriage and family occurring and progressing, especially within Western civilization, significantly affect the condition of the economy. It turns out that, on the one hand, the increasing proportion of divorces and the related disintegration of families and, on the other hand, the declining number of marriages, the increase in cohabitation and extramarital births have a significant impact on the quality of socialization of children and adolescents. It turns out – as shown, among others. by James J. Heckman’s research – that the most effective in terms of development of non-cognitive skills and educational achievements is a stable and intact family. The recommendations and conclusions of this paper draw attention to the importance of awareness of the presented influences not only for social policy, but also for creating and implementing economic policy.