Families: Social Policy

Question 1

Define social policy

Answer 1

a social policy is a law passed by the government which aims to deal with a social problem or to improve society.

Question 2

Functionalist views on social policies

Answer 2

Fletcher: educational, health, and welfare policies all work to support the family. for example, policies resulted in the Welfare State.

Question 3

New Right views on social policies.

Answer 3

Aim for the traditional nuclear family. The New Right wants the family to be self-sufficient. They believe policies increase diversity.

Question 4

Feminist views on social policies.

Answer 4

Feminists believe that the traditional family is patriarchal. They believe the policies promote patriarchy. for example, childcare policies.

Question 5

Marxist views on social policies.

Answer 5

They believe social policies allow the ruling class to maintain capitalist control to ensure the family supports capitalism.

Question 6

What are the 2 types of social policies?

Answer 6

• Policies can provide support. E.g., money, tax credits, child benefits.
• Policies help balance work life and family life. e.g., maternity pay, and early childcare help.

Question 7

1980-1990: Conservative Policies- Aim

Answer 7

• influenced by the New Right
• Policies aim to strengthen the family
• Emphasis on self - help
• Reduce welfare payments.

Question 8

1980-1990:
Conservative Policies- Examples

Answer 8

• Childrens support agency (1993)
• Childrens Act (1989)
• Married Men Tax Allowance

Question 9

1997 - 2010:
New Labour Policies- Aim

Answer 9

• Smart: dual-earner families favoured.
• Emphasis on parents taking responsibility for children
• Some support for alternative family types.

Question 10

1997 - 2010:
New Labour Policies - Examples

Answer 10

• Longer maternity leave
• Working tax credits
• Civil Partnerships
• Unmarried couples’ adoption
• Sex discrimination leaves

Question 11

2010+:
Coalition Policies -
Aim

Answer 11

Hayton:
- Modernists accept diversity
-Traditionalists favour New Right Approach

Question 12

2010+:
Coalition Policies - Examples

Answer 12

Removal of couples’ penalty
E.g. get up to £227 to marry but lose up to £10,000 in universal credit.
- shared parental leave
- equal marriage act

Question 13

Beverage Report (1942)
Outline

Answer 13

introduced the welfare state in response to poverty, wealth, and death.
- Housing benefits improved living conditions
- NHS - deal with health

Question 14

Beverage Report (1942)
Impact on Family

Answer 14

• removal of ‘jobs’ on the family
  
  • ‘jobs’ were given to the welfare state
    structural differentiation
  • roles distributed away from the family eg healthcare now NHS

Question 15

Divorce Reform Act (1969)
outline

Answer 15

• Divorce becomes easier, quicker, and cheaper to access
  
  • Women could ask for divorce without having to prove adultery, abuse, or abandonment. could gain ‘aid’

Question 16

Divorce Reform Act (1969)
Impact on family

Answer 16

• Increased family diversity: single parent and reconstituted
  
  • Increase in womens’ independence - women can afford to live alone

Question 17

Legalisation of Contraceptive Pill (1967)
outline

Answer 17

Legal for unmarried women to access the pill.

Question 18

Legalisation of Contraceptive Pill (1967)
impact on family

Answer 18

• Less children born out of wedlock
  
  • Women have more control over their bodies.
  • Decline in birth rate