The course aims to provide knowledge related to the main theoretical approach concerning the private sphere and its transformations, in diachronic and comparative perspective. In particular, the course provide expertise related to the critical analysis of social policies, measures and tools aimed to the support of parenting, including the contributions from the third sector and informal networks. Through a gender perspective will be spelled out the roles, obligations, expectations regarding the asymmetries of care, evaluating the factors affecting the growth of the couple vulnerability and the fragility and/or poverty of the family.