F&H: Social policy Flashcards
what do we generally mean by ‘social policies’ ?
refers to the plans + actions of state agencies such as health & social care services, schools, the welfare benefit system etc. Laws introduced by government
give an example of a social policy regarding marriage and one regarding children
marriage - must be 18. can only marry 1 person at a time UK. cannot be closely related
children - minimum wage = £7.55. free education. age 17 to drive. age 18 to drink, smoke, vote.
NAME an example of a social policy that directly impacts families in the UK
- the bedroom tax 2013
- same sex marriage 2013
- free childcare for 2-4 year olds
what is the bedroom tax policy? explain
government introduced tax on spare bedrooms for people living in council houses. lose 14% of your housing benefit if you have 1 spare bedroom. Lose 28% for 2 spare bedrooms.
what was the purpose of the bedroom tax policy?
to have smaller families in smaller homes, and bigger families in larger houses.
explain the free childcare for 2-4 year olds policy
- 15 hrs (a week) free childcare for 2 year olds - for families receiving low-income benefits
- 15 hrs free childcare for ALL 3&4 year olds
- 30 hrs free childcare for 3&4 year olds - for low-income families in work.
NAME the 2 case studies that study the impacts of social policies in families in different societies / countries.
1) China’s one child policy
2) Romania’s pro childbirth policy
discuss China’s one child policy and its impacts
-introduced 1978 - 1980, population had risen to 1 billion, so wanted to halt population growth.
-prevented around 1 million births
-punished families violating the rule via large fines, employment loss, forced abortion etc.
-valued male babies more. caused female infant mortality to rise.
-elderly dominating society
discuss Romania’s pro childbirth policy and its impacts
1966 - outlawed abortion for women under 40 with fewer than 4 children. The birthrate doubled, but then slowed as women resorted to homemade illegal abortions.
1977 - all childless persons were made to pay an additional monthly ta.
1980s - condoms and the pill were banned. Doctors who performed abortions were imprisoned. Women were examined every 3 months in their workplace for signs of pregnancy.
what was supposedly the purpose of Romania’s pro childbirth policy?
- Romania had industrialised late and after WW2 the birth rate was low.
- believed population growth = fuel economic growth.
How did the pro childbirth policy impact the children born under these laws?
- teachers were abusive
- very full, violent and neglectful orphanages - hardly any clothes / food given to the children
NAME the 5 sociological perspectives that study social policy
- functionalist
- the New Right
- Feminist
- Marxist
- Donzelot
how do functionalists generally view social policies?
-social policies are for the good of all and operate in the interests of society. they help families perform their functions more effectively.
which functionalist specifically comments on social policy ?
RONALD FLETCHER
what does functionalist Ronald Fletcher say about social policy?
-the introduction of health, education + housing policies since the industrial revolution have gradually led to the development of the welfare state which supports the family in performing its functions.
-NHS means that the modern family are able to take care of members more effectively when they are sick.
give a criticism of the functionalist view of social policy
- assumes all family members benefit equally from social policy. Feminists argue that policies often benefit men at the expense of women
- Marxists point out that policies can turn the clock back + reverse progress previously made. Eg bedroom tax (cutting benefits for poor families)
which family type do the New Right favour?
the traditional nuclear family based on a married heterosexual couple with the division of labour between a male provider and a female homemaker
how does the New Right generally view social policy?
-social policies have encouraged changes in society that have led to greater family diversity due to increase in divorce, cohabitation, lone parenthood etc
-these changes have undermined the nuclear family + produces social problems like crime + welfare dependency
what is welfare dependency / dependency culture?
being too reliant on benefits + often not working
NAME the 2 new right sociologists that discuss social policy
- Charles Murray
- Brenda Almond
which topics does Charles Murray particularly discuss regarding the negatives of social policies?
- perverse incentives of benefits
- fathers
- council housing
what did Charles Murray say about social policy? (fathers, council housing)
-benefits have unintended / undesirable consequences as they reward irresponsible behaviour
-providing council housing for unmarried teenage mothers encourages young girls to have children
-if fathers see that the state will maintain their kids, some of them will abandon their family responsibilities.
which topics does Brenda Almond particularly discuss regarding the negatives of social policies?
- divorce laws
- civil partnerships
what did Brenda Almond say about social policy? (divorce, civil partnerships)
- laws that make divorce easier undermine the idea of marriage as a lifelong commitment
- introduction of civil partnerships for gay/lesbian couples sends out a message that the state no longer sees heterosexual marriage as superior.
what is the New Right’s ‘solution’ regarding social policy and welfare dependency culture?
to CUT BENEFITS + put tighter restrictions in place to decide who is eligible for benefits.
- denying council housing to unmarried teenage mothers would remove incentives to become pregnant young. Fathers would gain more incentive to work + provide for families
give 2 criticisms of the New Right’s view on social policy
-ignores many policies that support / maintain the nuclear family rather than undermine it
-feminists argue its an attempt to justify a return to the traditional patriarchal family that confines women
-cutting benefits would simply drive many poor families into even greater poverty
how do feminists generally view social policy?
- they help to maintain women’s subordinate position + the unequal division of labour in family
- encourages marriage and patriarchal norms
IDENTIFY 3 policies that feminists believe are patriarchal and are at the expense of women
- the Marriage Allowance
- child benefit
- maternity leave
- care for the sick / elderly
- school calendar
explain the marriage allowance policy
if you’re married you can pay less tax by a few hundred pounds a year. encourages marriage over cohabitation, and patriarchal family norms
how do feminists argue that child benefit is patriarchal?
it gets paid to the mother - assuming that the child’s welfare is primarily her responsibility
give a criticism of the feminist view of social policy
many policies benefit women:
- equal pay act
- sex discrimination laws
- rape in marriage made illegal
- benefits for lone parents
- refuges for women escaping domestic violence
how do Marxists generally view social policy?
-social policies serve the interests of capitalism + the ruling class, and are a means of preventing revolution.
-policies like benefits make it look like the ruling class care about the working class and are helping them - provides ideological legitimation for capitalism
explain the Marxist idea of social policies as a ‘smoke screen’
social policies just cover up the inequalities in society. Just provide a smoke screen to the workers to mask their exploitation.
what do Marxists suggest social policies like the NHS specifically do?
maintain the labour force for further exploitation. NHS keeps workers healthy + fit enough to work. Now retirement age being pushed back further and further as we stay fit and healthy
give a criticism of the Marxist view of social policy
-deterministic - assumes all aspects of family life are determined by economic forces.
-focuses on nuclear family type and not alternatives
-functionalists would argue that they ignore the positive impact of social policies
what TYPE of perspective is Donzelot’s?
-social action approach
-conflict
-micro
How does Donzelot view social policy?
-policy = a form of state control over families.
-professionals like doctors/social workers are agents of surveillance.
-professionals target working class families more, for ‘improvement’.
give a criticism of Donzelot’s view of social policy
- Marxists + feminists criticise for his failing to identify who benefits from policies of surveillance. Marxists believe it is the ruling class, feminists argue it is men
- a lot of social policies do support + help families
