Family education in Bavaria: Strong parents for strong children!

Family education in Bavaria: Strong parents for strong children!

On April 4, 2025, a conference took place in Bavaria that discussed supporting families and the importance of family education. Ulrike Scharf, the Bavarian Minister for Family Affairs, gave an opening lecture entitled “Family is the cradle of our togetherness”. She highlighted the central role of the family as a source of stability and values ​​in times of great social change. Scharf emphasized that family education is crucial in strengthening parents' parenting skills and supporting them in their pursuits. Clear structures, tailor-made offers and active commitment are necessary; Family education is not a sure-fire success, but requires targeted efforts, especially on the part of local authorities. The Free State of Bavaria provides the cities with resources.

There are already 220 family support centers in Bavaria that act as community contact and contact points. These institutions play a central role in family education and support parents by providing low-threshold information and facilitating access to various offers. Prof. Dr. Norbert F. Schneider, who spoke at the conference, discussed the current challenges facing families. He called for calm and emphasized that despite the criticism of the family as an institution, many things work well. He emphasized that it is important for parents to encourage their children to take responsibility and independence, and that satisfied parents are crucial for the child's well-being.

The importance of family education

The conference also included a panel discussion moderated by Prof. Dr. Klaus Stüwe, in which the achievements of family education in the municipalities were highlighted. It became clear that awareness of offers is often a hurdle for many families. Schneider pointed out how important low-threshold information about schools and daycare centers is in order to reach parents who need support. He also noted that online offerings represent an important pillar in family education.

The diverse family education offerings in Germany are aimed at strengthening parenting skills. They offer scientifically based knowledge in the form of courses, information evenings and open consultation hours. The programs are accessible to all parents and promote not only parenting skills, but also health promotion, cultural education and social engagement. For example, the German Child Protection Association offers parenting courses, including a model project for the digitalization of the “Strong Parents – Strong Children” course.

Support from the state

The Federal Ministry for Family Affairs plays a crucial role in promoting family education and advice, including through quality development and scientific support. Parents receive support with individual and family-related problems, including in the context of separation or divorce. Mothers and fathers of underage children have a legal right to help, which further underlines the relevance of family education. An innovative offer is the online advice from the Federal Conference for Educational Advice, which enables an anonymous exchange between parents and specialists.

These family education approaches and programs not only aim to strengthen the individual skills of parents, but also contribute to society as a whole. The conference ended with a variety of workshops that covered specific target groups and topics, and an ideas marketplace where various providers presented their family education offerings. This strengthens the important connection between science, practice and politics in order to sustainably support families in Germany.