Study: Estonians' Attitudes Toward Family Issues Among Most Conservative in Europe

An international research team from Finland, the United Kingdom, and Estonia has analyzed survey data from over 60,000 people across 21 European countries, collected in 2006 and 2018. The study, published in the journal Population and Development Review, finds that cohabitation without marriage is widely accepted in Europe, but voluntary childlessness and divorce in families with young children are viewed critically.

In Eastern Europe, nearly 40% of respondents disapprove of divorce when children are under 12, while in Southern Europe, less than a quarter share that view. Estonia stands out with particularly cautious attitudes – even Poland and Slovenia show greater support for divorce with young children and maternal employment. Along with Bulgaria, Hungary, and Slovakia, Estonia belongs to the most conservative group of countries, despite well-developed policies for balancing work and family life.

Education level only influences certain views. People with higher education are significantly more accepting of divorce in families with young children and full-time work for mothers. However, full-time employment for men in similar situations is seen as natural across all countries and educational groups. Researchers suggest these differences may stem from a gender double standard – women with lower education may face less income loss from staying home, so full-time work is less often considered suitable among them.

Interestingly, in Southern and Eastern Europe, the impact of education on attitudes toward cohabitation and non-marital childbearing has diminished over time. The less educated population in these regions has become more accepting of such lifestyles, while the initially higher approval among the highly educated has declined.