Social Policy III, January - February 2013

The purpose of the study: to ascertain Lithuanian residents opinion about main principles of social policy, to analyse residents specific experiences and provisions related with social policy in Lithuania and to assess effectiveness of social policy. Major investigated questions: respondents were asked which three problems are the most relevant for Lithuania. Respondents were asked who should care for a person in case of retirement, illness, loss of work, longterm physical or mental disability and child birth. Respondents were asked how safe they personally feel in same life situation. Respondents were asked to assess how many state objectives in assuring society's well-being in Lithuanian are achieved or unachieved based on the list of objectives in social policy of Lithuania gathered form various political documents. First, respondents were asked how they evaluate state efforts in seeking objectives in labour market and employment areas. Next question block to reveal how state is doing in achieving objectives in social equity and social security areas was presented. Next, situation in health care area was assessed. Respondents were asked how in their opinion state is doing in achieving its objectives in family policy and child-rearing areas. Last, question block about state achievements in education and natural and living environment was presented. Respondents were asked how would they generally evaluate current changes in Lithuania's society. Further it was questioned about income taxation of people with different salaries. It was questioned if preventive vaccination should be mandatory to children in Lithuania. Respondents were asked if they agree with construction of new nuclear power plant in Lithuania and if modernization of apartment buildings in Lithuania should be mandatory. At the end respondents were asked if number of universities in the country should be lower and if Lithuania should let in all immigrants without huge restrictions. Socio-demographic characteristics: duration of learning (studies), level of education, respondent and his/hers husband/wife/permanent partner's current situation, profession (occupation), respondent's membership in trade-union, recognized religion, participation in religious rituals, political views, political and social participation, voting in recent Seimas elections, nationality, size of a household, average and overall average monthly income of respondent's household, marital status, place of residence, satisfaction of life quality, change of living conditions, social benefits, financial supports received from relatives living abroad.