Families and Social Policy Flashcards
Functionalist Perspective on Families & Social Policy
Ronald Fletcher ( 1966 ) argues that the introduction of health, education, and housing policies since the Industrial Revolution has gradually led to the developing of a welfare state that supports the family in performing its functions more effectively. For example, the NHS
Criticisms of the Functionalist View
It assumes that all members of the family benefit equally from social policies, whereas feminists for example argue that policies often benefit men at the expense of women
Donzelot: Policing the Family
Donzelot (1977) has a conflicting view of society and he sees policy as a form of state power and control over families. He argues that social workers, health visitors, and doctors use their knowledge to control and change families
The New Right view of social policy: Almond
Almond (2006) argues that state policies have helped to undermine the nuclear family for example, laws making divorce easier undermine the idea of marriage as a lifelong commitment between a man and a women.
The New Right view of social policy: Murray
Murray ( 1984) argues that welfare benefits offer ‘perverse incentives’ meaning they reward irresponsible behavior, for example providing council housing for unmarried teenage mothers encourages young girls to become pregnant.
Criticisms of the New Right
Abbott & Wallace ( 1992 ) argue that cutting benefits would simply drive many poor families into even greater poverty and make them even less self-reliant.
Conservative government policies from 2010 onwards have included:
Universal Credit, Closure of Sure Start, Freeze on working-age benefits, Shared Parental Leave, Two Child Tax Credit Cap.
Policies supporting the Patriarchal Family: Feminists
The conventional patriarchal nuclear family which are Tax & Benefits Policies, Childcare, Care for the sick & elderly. Leonard (1978) argues that policies such as maternity leave support women who reinforce the nuclear family.
Feminism & Social Policy
Land ( 1978 ) argue that many social policies assume that the ideal family is the patriarchal nuclear family, this norms should affects the kind of policies governing family life, which creates a self-fulfilling prophecy. For example, if the state assumes that ‘ normal ‘ families are based on marriage and offers tax incentives to married couples that are not available to cohabiting couples, this policy may encourage marriage and discourage cohabitation.
Gender Regimes
Drew (1995) uses the concept of ‘gender regimes’ to describe how social policies in different countries can either encourage or discourage gender equality in the family and at work
Two Types of ‘Gender Regimes’
Familistic Gender Regime, policies are based on a traditional gender division. In Greece, there is little state welfare for childcare and women have to rely on their extended next of kin.
Individualistic Gender Regime, policies are based on the belief that husbands and wives should be treated the same. In Sweden, policies treat husbands and wives as equally responsible for both breadwinning and domestic tasks.
State vs Market
Drew argues that most European countries are now moving towards more individualistic gender regimes
Feminists argue that since the global recession began in 2008, cutbacks in government spending throughout Europe have led to pressure on women to take more responsibility for caring for family.
