Governments have had a longstanding interest in family forms and the behaviour of family members, although their goals and instruments have differed over time and across countries. This timely collection, along with an original introduction by the editors, brings together seminal contributions focusing on a number of important topics relating to this field. Volume I focuses on the origins and social foundations of family policies, their main actors and drivers; together with consideration of crucial concepts and themes, including gender, intergenerational obligations and care. Volume II deals with the various areas and goals addressed by family policies and their diversity across countries: the politics of reproduction; support for children, policies to reconcile paid work and family obligations; parenthood policies; patterns of care policies and domestic violence. This important set will be of immense value to those working in the field of families and family policies and will be an excellent source of reference to both students and academics.