1.6 social policies

Question 1

What is the functionalist perspective on social policies?

Answer 1

• policies help the family perform their functions more effectively and make life better
• the state acts in the interests of society as a whole

Question 2

What is the marxist perspective on social policies?

Answer 2

• policies are used to hide the inequalities of capitalism
• even the NHS are there to repair the workforce so that they are able to return back to work
• policies give a friendly face to capitalism

Question 3

What does Jacques Donzelot argue about social policies?

Answer 3

• policies are a form of state power
• power is spread through the state to other professionals: doctors, social workers, health visitors who exercise their power over citizens

Question 4

What is the New Right perspective on social policies?

Answer 4

• think the family should be self-reliant
• encourage policies that support the nuclear family

Question 5

What did Charles Murray argue about social policies?

Answer 5

• he was critical of a generous welfare state and called the policies perverse incentives

Question 6

What is the feminist perspective on social policies?

Answer 6

• policies are seen as supporting a patriarchal society

Question 7

What do Barrett and McIntosh(1982) argue about the ‘cereal packet family’?

Answer 7

• its patriarchal = state policies such as giving more generous maternity leave than paternity leave, encourage a traditional gendered division of labour in the family
• its harmful = every time politicians make appeals to ‘strengthen the family’, they are at the same time condemning those who live outside such a family, such as lone parents, lesbian and gay couples, and those living alone
• its anti social = devalues life outside the family, and discourages alternative forms of household organisation and relationships, lone parenthood, communal living or serial monogamy