ABSTRACT
This chapter begins with a presentation of economic and financial crisis and measures taken to address the crisis in Europe. These measures are linked to the call for solidarity at the European level. The chapter aims to examine the effects of the economic and financial crisis in Europe and its implications for the acquisition and distribution of wealth in families. This examination is conducted through the lenses of solidarity and equality. Solidarity between European states, between generations, between members of different economic and social classes in society, has been advocated as a justification for the introduction of measures to combat the crisis. The chapter extends the idea of solidarity in the public space to a consideration of the solidarity that might be required within personal relationships in order to address the challenges of economic austerity measures. Using the example of the UK, the effects of austerity will be reviewed in order to ascertain gendered nature of solidarity in private relationships.
