This article discusses factors affecting parents in contemporary Europe. The focus is on family development, mechanisms conditioning social and family interactions, and the historical processes that are resulting in changes in family structure. Family changes discussed include the declining birthrate, structural conditions for parenthood, changing demographics due to rising life expectancy, marital status, women's changing self-concept, parents' concepts of education, and living conditions of families--especially those in poverty. The article considers the effects of changing structural and economic conditions families face due to changing lifestyles, immigration patterns, and social upheaval. The article also examines the restriction of childrearing to the family and related concerns such as professional concern with child care and education, civil and protective rights for children, media images of the family, gender roles and childrearing, father's involvement in parenting, and new understanding of children's coping during social upheaval. (JPB)