A comparative analysis of family policy in various nations looks at state financial support for families and in particular how professional women in academia fare internationally with respect to state support for their families. The analysis includes a review of the general development of family support through the industrial revolution and the 20th century, analysis of family policy in the United States, and a comparative analysis of the family policy of other nations. The comparative analysis notes that, in European countries, family benefits are regarded as a right. Policies are analyzed for the following countries: Sweden, Norway, France, Germany, Belgium, Zambia, Mozambique, Ghana, India, Singapore, Peoples Republic of China, Chile, Australia, and the United States. The final portion of the analysis examines the positive and negative aspects of state support of the family. Positive aspects found include support for the initial phase of parenting, family solidarity, and equal support to all families. Negative aspects of state support, state intervention in family life, economic costs, discrimination against women; were found to be not compelling. The analysis concludes that the United States should adopt a national family support policy. (Contains 20 references.) (JB)