The 12th biannual conference of the European Society on Family Relations (ESFR), hosted by the University of Madeira in Funchal, Portugal, in 2025, is a unique opportunity for family scholars from diverse disciplines to come together. This event invites researchers from sociology, psychology, anthropology, policymakers, and other fields to exchange their research and findings about contemporary challenges for families in Europe.

ESFR is an interdisciplinary scientific association for European research on families and family relations. Its purpose is to serve as a network, to support and link family research, and to exchange its results. First, it was established as a federation of European family researchers and family research institutes. However, ESFR also welcomes researchers and institutes outside of Europe as affiliates. More information: http://esfr.org/

The XII ESFR congress will explore "Families across Space and Time," inspiring interdisciplinary discussion on the multifaceted avenues through which research-based insights can contribute to understanding how families have been shaped by – and continue to adapt – to different space and time contexts. The congress will provide an unparalleled opportunity for participants to engage with cutting-edge theoretical and empirical studies that examine families as dynamic and adaptative entities that respond to shifts in geography, culture, and time. The goal is transcending traditional boundaries and paving the way for novel approaches to understanding the complexities of family relations, exploring the following interrelated research themes:

  • Families in Flux: Modern Transitions in Family Structures and Relations

    Families are adapting to modern societal changes. This theme highlights the fluidity of family structures and relations in the modern world, reflecting on the rapid technological, economic, and social transformations influencing family life today. It also focuses on how families have responded to crises such as wars, natural disasters, pandemics, and climate change, studying their resilience and adaptation strategies across historical and contemporary contexts. Topics might include (but are not limited to):

    • Changing gender roles in families
    • LGBTQIA+ Parenting
    • Parenting in LGBTQIA+ children
    • Single parenthood
    • Post-divorce parenting
    • Foster and adoption families
    • Alternative families and couples
    • Reconstituted families
    • Other alternatives to parenting
    • Technological advances in family life
    • Genetics
    • Parenting in the digital age
    • Employability and parenting
    • Parental burnout
    • Migration


  • The Geography of Family: Spatial Dynamics and Family Mobility

    • This theme focuses on the spatial dimensions of family life, exploring how geographic factors and mobility impact family structures, relationships, and functioning. As families become more geographically dispersed, spanning regions, countries, and even continents, their experiences and dynamics adapt to changes in space, migration patterns, and digital connectivity. Key areas to explore within this theme may include (but are not limited to):

    • Migration and family policy
    • Refugee and migrant families
    • Impact of migration on children
    • Parenting in Migration
    • Transnational families
    • Cultural adaptation and identity
    • Digital technology as a connector
    • Commuter families and long-distance relationships
    • Migration and family policy


  • Intergenerational Relations: Family Bonds Across Time and Space

    Family bonds are dynamic and influenced by evolving social norms, technological progress, and changing expectations. Exploring how the relationships between grandparents, parents, and children adapt to broader societal, economic, and cultural changes is crucial. This theme aims to shed light on the intricate nature of intergenerational connections in today's world, tackling the obstacles and possibilities that emerge as family members navigate the balance between change and tradition and family values and responsibilities across generations. Topics might include (but are not limited to):

    • Motherhood vs fatherhood
    • Grandparents
    • Multigenerational households
    • Intergenerational transmission of parenting
    • Care for the elderly
    • Children’s participation
    • Parent-child communication
    • Technology and communication gaps
    • Longevity and family life
    • Emerging adulthood
    • Brotherhood


  • Families and Socioeconomic Contexts: Transitions, Politics and the Economy

    • This theme delves into the intricate interconnections between family dynamics and external economic, political, and societal influences. It examines the evolution of government intervention, social welfare programs, and legislative frameworks in various contexts and their current impact on families. Understanding the interplay of public policy and family dynamics across different regions and over time is crucial for evaluating the effectiveness and limitations of family-related policies. Key aspects to explore within this theme may include (but are not limited to):

    • Parenting and Well-Being
    • Couple and Family Therapy
    • Co-parenting
    • Motherhood vs fatherhood
    • Fatherhood day by day
    • Transition to parenthood
    • Couple relationship and impact on parenting
    • Parenting programs
    • Professionals’ views
    • Change in the family life cycle