Family Policy Flashcards
What are the 4 theories of family policy?
- functionalist
- surveillance
- the New Right
- feminist
According to Fletcher (1966), what is the functionalist theories of family policy?
Sees government as an institution which maintains social order within society. This achieves the stability and wellbeing of people and their families.
What are the 3 policies which functionalists see as beneficial?
- the NHS (support to families; vaccines childcare ect)
- the Welfare State (proves specific support to families; benefits, maternity pay)
- free schooling (children educated until 18. Supplement to primary socialisation as secondary socialisation. Removes responsibility from the family)
Evaluation of the functionalist theories of family policy?
Feminists argue that not all family members benefit from the policies. School calendar mean, some parents has to be part time.
According to Donzelot (1977), what is the surveillance theory of family policy?
Questions the motive behind policy. The government is constantly observing families via state run agencies. Govt is there to monitor behaviour rather than supporting families.
What are the 3 policies that the surveillance theory is critical of?
- compulsory education (school controls what we do and how we think. Many families are fined for taking their child out of school)
- parenting orders (1998, tool to punish families who were failing to discipline their kids. Parents could be required to attend classes)
- health visitors (since 2015 it has been mandatory for a health professional to manage a child’s development after birth, not trusting mother)
Evaluation of the surveillance theory of family policy?
Many policies that they are critical of and in fact necessary (schooling until 18)
According to Murray (1984), what is the New Right perspective of family policy?
Raises concerns about the way that government policy has undermined the importance of family structure.
What 3 policies are the New Right critical of?
- Divorce Reform Act (1969 and 1984 has resulted in more families breaking down and the rise in lone parent families)
- Same Sex Marriage Act 2014 (lead to imbalance in gender role models)
- State Welfare (1948, leads to people becoming workshy and dependent of the state, creates an underclass of families who are to blame for social problems)
What solutions does the New Right give to the failed policies?
State welfare needs to be reduced to get rid of the dependency culture. Social housing needs to be remove to get rid of the perverse incentive for women regarding childcare. Tax cuts for married couples to bring back the traditional nuclear family
Evaluation of the New Right perspective on family policy?
Ignore policies which maintain family policy such as maternity leave.
According to Land (1978), what is the feminist theory on family policy?
Regard policies as an extension of patriarchal power. They encourage a self fulfilling prophecy in which women accept their position as subordinate to men.
What 3 policies are feminists critical of?
- state welfare (makes assumptions about women’s role of the family. Child benefit sent to the mother. Husband has to financially support women after a divorce)
- education (primary school hours are rarely compatible with a normal working day. School holidays makes it difficult to maintain a job)
- social care (state does not provide care for older people. Responsibility therefore falls on female family members - pivot generation)
According to Drew (1995), what is the gender regime (family policy)?
General attitudes passed down by generations.
Greece has a famalistic gender regime whereby they regard family life the responsibility of the women
Sweden has an individualistic gender regime whereby things are presumed to be more equal
According to Drew (1995), what is the European Union moving towards?
Moving towards an individualistic gender regime.
