f2 theoretical perspectives of family policy Flashcards
what is a theoretical perspective?
part of a bigger debate in sociology whether sociology should inform social policy
what are theorotical perspective examples?
Marxism, Functionalism, Feminisim
what is the modern functionalist perspective of the family?
functionalists also suggest limited state involvement in the fmaily. they argue the family is a social institution provides for its members without the need of goverment assistance. advocates intervention only when there is dysfunction in the family unit e.g domestic voilence.
what is the traditional functionalist perspective of the family?
traditional functionalists such as Parsons, advocated the use of social policies such as tax incentives for married couples to reinforce the values of the traditional family
why are functionalists in opposition of some of the more progressive policies?
they have traditional values that are in opposition of some of the more progressive policies in recent years such as same sex marriage.
what is the marxist perspective of the family?
they believe social policies are designed to serve the needs of elite in society, even policies that seemingly benefit the working class are a smoke-screen to ensure that the economy continues to function and ppl are working e.g free childcare 3-4 year old 30 free childcare hours, having someone looking after children of workers benefits the ruling class more whilst causing anxiety for parents.
who’s donzelott and what does he think on social policy?
Donzellot is a marxist who suggesting that through policies they can effectively police the family with social institutions such as education, healthcare, the police being able to monitor the extent the family is socialising their children.
Marxists don’t think this is for children’s protection, it is a form of control over the family by the ruling class with judgements based upon ruling class ideologies and those who don’t confrom face sanctions, fines, warning etc.
what is the radical feminists perspective of the family?
see the role of family policy as re-inforcing patriachal norms of women as the primary childcare provider. they suggest that traditional payment of benefits for children to women reinforced the expectation that they were the primary caregiver changed in 2013 to prevent a form of financial voilence towards women
what is the liberal feminists perspective of the family?
liberal feminists utilise the system to enforce changes in the way that women are perceived and provide them with more opportunities particularly in employment. believe that there has been significant progress in equality between male and female. critics suggests despire these steps forward there are still divisions at home and workplace.
how do feminists belive state policies benefit women?
- help women in need when leaving voilent partners
- provided support thorugh benefits 2 tackle child poverty
however the biggest vicims of policies of economic austerity have been economic austerity are women and children (structural inequality still exist.)
conservative family policies 1979-1997
the child support agency (1993) estbalished to ensure that absent fathers paid maintanence for the upbring of their children
section 28 (1988) prevents school for tecahing homosexual fmailies and relationships
what is the conservative view on families?
advocated personal responsibility towards families, thatcther ‘there is no thing as society, only indivuals and families’
New Labour fmaily policies (1997-2010)
new labour continued with the policies of neoliberlaism but combiend these with social policies that filled in conservative rule.
- introduced 2 weeks paid paternity leave
- working family and child tax credits to help fmailies back into work without the loss of benefits
-civil partnership 2005
coaliation policies (2010-15)
- shared parental leave - partners coukd split maternity leave allows both parents to bond with child
- same sex marriages 2013 only passed with cross party support from labour
- austerity policies such as benefits caps, 2 child limit for benefits and bedroom tax
conservative policy 2015 onwards
universal credit, paid to one fmaily memeber that replace other forms of benefit
freeze on working age benefits, further cuts to benefits cap to 23k per annum
