The Youth Research Institute and the Hungary Foundation held a conference titled Family & Future – Perspectives on Youth and Family Policy on February 25 in Washington, D.C. The conference aimed to discuss a topic that has received relatively little attention in the United States: the family. Upon arrival in Hungary, travelers at Liszt Ferenc International Airport are greeted by “Family Friendly Hungary” posters highlighting the country’s strong commitment to family policy. Hungary is distinctive in this regard, allocating approximately 5 percent of its budget to family support. In the United States, by contrast, the institution of the family is approached from a fundamentally different perspective, with the issue being linked largely to the private sphere and individual responsibility.
At the conference, alongside distinguished American speakers such as Emma Waters, Delano Squires, Brent Buchanan, Alexander Tarascio, Joseph Backholm, Ryan Shucard, and Chad C. Pecknold, participants also heard from prominent Hungarian experts, including Dóra Babos and Bálint László Tóth. The Youth Research Institute was represented by Georgina Kiss-Kozma and Levente Székely.
During the event, we presented a joint report by the Youth Research Institute and Cygnal titled Two Countries, One Dilemma: What Young Americans and Hungarians Actually Think About Marriage and Children.
The research, conducted collaboratively by the Youth Research Institute and Cygnal, examined the plans and perspectives of young people aged 15–39 in both countries, focusing on their views on family, the future, and the challenges they face.
Presentations and panel discussions highlighted that most young people in both the United States and Hungary still consider the two-parent family model to be ideal. At the same time, starting a family is often postponed due to economic pressures, career considerations, and broader life uncertainties. As a result, marriage and having children are typically viewed as goals for the future rather than immediate priorities.
Speakers emphasised the importance of the family as the fundamental unit of society, capable of ensuring the continuity and growth of future generations - a principle that remains relevant despite ongoing cultural changes. While Hungarian and American attitudes and practices regarding family show many similarities, the family policies of the two countries differ significantly. Several speakers noted that Hungary could serve as a potential model for the United States in this area, as family-friendly thinking is deeply embedded in the functioning of the Hungarian state.
