Demographic Determinants And Challenges To Social Protection For Maternity In Bulgaria

Abstract

The starting point of this study is the understanding of maternity as a condition related to the biological and social function of women for the reproduction of human race, performed by the mother with the birth and upbringing of children in early childhood and to acquire the ability for economically independent living alone or together - in the family or the parents’ household. Placed on this basis, the issue of social protection in maternity becomes extremely relevant in the context of demographic and socio-economic challenges to the development of modern society. The study attempts to substantiate the thesis that the system of social payments for pregnancy, childbirth and child-rearing has unused potential to become a working tool of demographic policy with a significant contribution to improving the demographic profile of the Bulgarian population, in connection with which ideas are presented about the possibilities for their organisational development and improvement.