Reflections on Structural Challenges to Intergenerational Family Solidarity in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Reflections on Structural Challenges to Intergenerational Family Solidarity in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Summary/Abstract: Intergenerational family solidarity in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) is deeply rooted in strong familial bonds, which form the foundation of cultural identity. The orientation towards family (familism) contrasts with the individualism characteristic of Western societies. Although family still occupies a central place in individuals’ lives, it faces a range of structural challenges that could jeopardize relationships among relatives across generations. The shift in socio-economic paradigms over recent decades, known as the societal transition, has significantly undermined the long-established value system. A series of adverse trends, including demographic contraction and economic crises, spill over into the family sphere, diminishing its potential for mutual support. At the same time, attitudes towards life arrangements are being redefined, as the permanence of marriage is increasingly questioned, evidenced by rising divorce rates over the past decade. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to highlight the key structural challenges that could reduce the resilience of the extended family due to demographic undercapacity, marital instability, and economic inability to respond to them.

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