Family Policies Flashcards
When did the marriage act come into effect and what did it mean?
- Allowed same sex couples to marry in civil and religious ceremonies. Enables individuals to change their gender without having to end their marriage. Protects religious organisations from legal challenge if they do not wish to perform the marriage of a same sex couple.
What was the free contraception act and what are the key dates for it?
1961 - Doctors could prescribe the pill for free
1974 - Family planning clinics were allowed to give out the pill without prescription (still paid for though)
When was the equal pay act devised and when did it come into effect?
1970 and 1975
When was the abortion act put into legislation?
1967
What were the terms of the abortion act?
The doctor performing an abortion could no longer be prosecuted, so long as it was according to the following conditions:
* It must be carried out before the foetus could survive independently (week 28)
* Two doctors must both agree that the abortion is lawful
* These doctors must agree that continuing the pregnancy would involve either a physical or mental risk to the mother or child or the risk that the child would be severely handicapped
Tell me about the Child support act.
- By court order If a parent is able to do so, they must support their child financially to help maintain them until the age of 18
State the 3 key changes in divorce law and when they came into effect.
1969 - Allowed divorce on the grounds of irretrievable breakdown of the marriage.
1984 - the time was changed from a minimum of 3 years of marriage before divorce to 1 year – if one partner is at fault
2022. Can be done by either or both partners without need for one of the five reasons for divorce.
What were the 5 grounds for divorce?
Adultery
Unreasonable behaviour
Desertion
Two years of separation with consent
Five years of separation without consent
What was the civil partnerships act and what did it encompass?
This enabled same sex couples to have a civil partnership.
This allowed couples in a civil partnership to have the same legal rights as a married couple such as inheritance tax, next of kin rights and life insurance recognition
What did the 30 hours free childcare entail and when was it introduced?
- Only available if both parents are working and earning the equivalent of 16 hours on minimum wage a week and if their child was aged 3 or older
What were the 2015 changes in education?
Young people must do one of the following until they turn 18:
* Full-time education, for example at a college
* Start an apprenticeship or traineeship
* Spend 20 hours or more a week working or
volunteering, while in part-time education or training
How and when did the definition of domestic violence change?
2013 - Domestic violence now includes psychological abuse (controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour).
Tell me about the shared parental leave act:
- Up to 50 weeks of leave (37 weeks of which is paid) can be shared by parents if they meet certain eligibility criteria. Mothers must still take the initial two weeks after birth. Both parent will then have a flexible choice of how to split up the rest of the leave entitlement of up to 50 weeks
When did adoption law significantly change and how did it do so?
2002 and allows same sex and unmarried couples the right to adopt
