Family Policy Flashcards
What are the three ways the family is a unit of reproduction
Emotional support
Socialisation
Physical care
What did parsons say about understanding families
Family exists for the socialisation of children and emotional and psychological support for adults - especially male workers
The family has become the isolated nuclear family
Different family members have different functions
What are Marxist critiques of the functionalist view of the family
The family supports capitalist society
Domestic labour debate - housewife as cheap labour
The family as an oppressive institution
What are feminist critique of the functionalist view of the family
Public/private divide - split between the public domains (makes) and the private domain (females)
The ‘black box’ - hidden nature of the family, cannot make assumptions about what is inside without opening the box and looking inside
Gender and power - the family as a site of unequal gender power relationships
What are the two ways the family is an economic unit
Unit of consumption
Unit of production
What are the three functions of the family
Reproductive unit
Economic unit
Ideological unit
Who states that ‘the major significance of the family in Britain today is ideological’. The family is seen as ‘naturally give and as socially and morally desirable
Barrett and mcintosh
What did Wilmott and Young study and find out
Studied families in east London
Found they still relied heavily on extended families
What did Morgan look at in ‘family practices
Meanings in family life
Active rather than passive
Nature of family relationships and family negotiations
Family moralities
Who said ‘family is a facet of social life, not a social institution, it represents a quality rather than a thing’
Morgan
Who spoke about the pure relationship
Giddens
What is defined as ‘a situation where a relationship is entered into for its own sake, for what can be derived by each person from a sustained association with another, and which is continued only in so far as it is thought by both parties to deliver enough satisfaction for each individual to stay within it
The pure relationship
What are the three types of love Giddens talked about
Economic love
Romantic love
Confluent love
What did Giddens mean by economic love
Marriages were contracted on economic circumstances
What did Giddens mean by romantic love
The search for the life time partner, the soul mate
How did Giddens describe Confluent love
Active, contingent and democratic
How did Smart and Neale criticise the pure relationship
Doesn’t deal with the difficulties of separating and moving on
The nuclear family ideal is backed up by very powerful institutional structures
Moving from one partner to another ignores the effect on children
Having children makes relationships more complex on all levels including emotional and financial
How did Jamieson criticise the pure relationship
If these changes had really taken place we would have seen a much greater transformation in social divisions and inequalities
Evidence suggests that pure relationships are at best only possible for the lucky few
Pure relationships do not allow for the very messy and asymmetric character of people’s real lives
What did beck and beck-gernsheim say about relationships
Increasing individualisation
Social fear of risk
Trying to find security in a precarious environment
The search for the right way to live
What did beck and beck-gernsheim say about love
Provides us with a sense of personal validity and worth
Depends on an active agent, making choices
Is not justified on formal or traditional lines but on emotional and individual ones
Is founded on itself
Is security
Is a blank that lovers must fill in
Requires consent not force
Is ultimately subjective
What did beck and beck-gernsheim say there is instead of stability and security
More changes and uncertainty
Fore fluidity and choice
But potentially more fragile
What are the two types of biography beck and beck gernsheim spoke about
Standard biography
Choice biography
What did beck and beck gernsheim mean by standard biography
Jobs for life
Marriage
Religion
What did beck and beck gernsheim mean by choice biography
Individuals seek to construct their own lives through individual choices
How did Smart and Shipman criticise beck and beck-gernsheim
Bleak and pessimistic Focus on the push and pull factors Marginalise difference Monochrome and one dimensional If you look at qualitative research with families you see that there is considerable diversity
What did Gross say about regulative tradition
Involves threats of exclusion from various moral communities
Individual groups such as gays and lesbians have managed to break away from regulative traditions
Regulative traditions are in decline
Who spoke about regulative tradition
Gross
Who said these things:
Family exists for the socialisation of children and emotional and psychological support for adults - especially male workers
The family has become the isolated nuclear family
Different family members have different functions
Parsons
Who studied families in east London and found they still relied heavily on extended families
Wilmott and Young
Who spoke about romantic, economic and Confluent love
Giddens
Who criticised the pure relationship
Jamieson
Smart and Neale
Who spoke about standard and choice biography
Beck and Beck gernsheim
Who said this about love
Provides us with a sense of personal validity and worth
Depends on an active agent, making choices
Is not justified on formal or traditional lines but on emotional and individual ones
Is founded on itself
Is security
Is a blank that lovers must fill in
Requires consent not force
Is ultimately subjective
Beck and beck gernsheim
Who said this about relationships Increasing individualisation Social fear of risk Trying to find security in a precarious environment The search for the right way to live
Beck and Beck-Gernsheim
Who spoke about meaning constitutive tradition
Gross
What did gross say about meaning constitutive tradition
Ways of being that are passed down through generations
- eg language and cultural traditions
We are embedded in culture and history
Therefore traditions still remain of central importance in contemporary societies
What did Giddens say about children
Seem to get in the way of a pure relationship and the ending of one
Who said children seem to get in the way of a pure relationship and the ending of one
Giddens
What did beck and beck-gernsheim say about children
Love for a child can be ‘a tie which is more elemental, profound and durable than any other in this society’
Who said love for a child can be ‘a tie which is more elemental, profound and durable than any other in this society’
Beck and Beck-Gernsheim
What is self biography
You are active in shaping your life
Who criticises individualisation thesis
Smart
How did Smart criticise individualisation thesis
The notion of a personal life captures the social as well as the individual
Personal life is embedded in the social, legal, economic etc
The notions of personal lives recognises the ‘meaning constitutive traditions’
What did smart say about personal life
It is not bounded, there is space for families but also friends
It is not static/stationary, as the family can appear to be
It has no boundaries
Who said this about personal life:
It is not bounded, there is space for families but also friends
It is not static/stationary, as the family can appear to be
It has no boundaries
Smart
What did Smart say about sociology of personal lives
It can capture and recognise aspects of life often treated as subfields It breaks away from white middle-class heterosexual notions of family
Who said this about sociology of personal lives:
It can capture and recognise aspects of life often treated as subfields
It breaks away from white middle-class heterosexual notions of family
Smart
Who spoke about the contributions of friendship to social life
Allan
What did Allan say the contributions of friendship are to social life
Sociability
Practical support
Emotional support
Conformation of identity
Who said the contributions of friendship to social life are: Sociability Practical support Emotional support Conformation of identity
Allan
Who spoke about categories of friendship
Pahl
Why did Pahl say the four categories of friendship are
Firefighter friend
Champagne friend
Heartsinking friend
Fossil friend
What is a firefighter friend
Called on only in an emotional crisis
What is a champagne friend
Just for fun
What is a heartsinking friend
Someone you don’t really want to spend time with
What is a fossil friend
Someone dropped out but easily reactivated
What did Pahl say the two distinct processes that were occurring on terms of friendship are
Friendships on the rise
Our expectations are changing
Want are benefits of virtual friendship and Internet communication
Anonymity allows for greater self disclosure with strangers
Relationships are not initially hampered by other social factors
It is easy to find like or similar others
The Internet can be helpful for those who have difficulty forging relationships
What percentage of people lived alone in 1953
3%
What percentage of households in London and Paris were single by 1990
40% in London
50% in Paris
What was the growth figures single person households between 1991 and 2011
2.2 million to 4.4 million
How much did the percentage of 16-59 year olds living alone increase by from 1971-2002
Trebled from 5% to 16%
What makes up 1/3 of all households in Britain
Solo living
Is solo living more common amount older or younger people
Older people
What percentage of women aged 30-39 live alone
46%
Who spoke about individualisation
Beck and Beck-Gernsheim
What did beck and beck-gernsheim say about individualisation
Most of the traditional divisions, certainties and relations that characterised the first modernity have now been dissolved
No longer a job for life
Women are not expected to stay at home
Meaning of marriage has changed completely
We negotiate our way through life as individuals not a collective
Active role in making a life for oneself
Easy to retreat from the risks of marriage and family
Who spoke about families of choice
Weeks
What did Weeks say about families of choice
Flexible, supportive network of friends, lovers, even members of family of origin
The family of choice is as real as a family of origin
The idea of a chosen family is a very powerful and symbolic one
What did the CAVA conclude about friendship
Friendships very important
Consciously trying to create a way of life which met their needs for connection with others
Placed a high value in the way friends cared and supported without infringing on personal boundaries or risk of deep emotional relationships
Who spoke about what has not changed about friendships
Jamieson
What did Jamieson say has not changed about friendships
Still strong gender patterning of friendships
Gender segregated patterns firmly established in childhood
Men tend to have friendships with men and women with women but not the other way around
Strong heterosexual assumptions about men and women mean it is still hard to cross gendered relationships
On average how many friends do people make and lose in a lifetime
396 made over a lifetime but 363 lost - have 33
What did Munice say about family policy
The represents ways in which ‘stereotypes, norms and ideals of family life have organised political rhetoric and policy making’
Who said family policy represents ways in which ‘stereotypes, norms and ideals of family life have organised political rhetoric and policy making’
Muncie
What percentage of children were born outside of marriage in the early/mid 70s
8%
What percentage of children were born outside of marriage in the late 2000s
46%
What percentage of single women were cohabiting in 1979
8%
What percentage of single women were cohabiting late 2000s
26%
What was the median age of a first marriage in the mid/late 1970s
21/24
What was the median age of a first marriage in the late 2000s
30/32
What was the number of abortions from women aged 15-44 in the early/mid 1970s
161000
What was the number of abortions from women aged 15-44 in the late 2000s
215903
What was the fertility rate in the early/mid 1970s
84
What was the fertility rate in the late 2000s
64
What was the divorce rate in the mid/late 1970s
5.9
What was the divorce rate in the late 2000s
11.9
What percentage of the population was under 16 in the mid/late 1970s
13
What percentage of the population was over 65 in the mid/late 1970s
13
What percentage of the population was under 16 in the late 2000s
19
What percentage of the population was over 65 in the late 2000s
16
What are the 3 areas of family policy outlined by Millar and Haux
The legal regulation of family behaviour
Policies to support family income
The provision of services for families
What are 4 categories of family policy schemes
Pro-family/pro-natalist
Pro-traditionalist
Pro-egalitarian
Pro-family but non-interventionist
What does being Pro-family/pro-natalist mean
Maintain birth rate through policies to help mothers reconcile work and family life
What is an example of a country that uses Pro-family/pro-natalist policies
France
What does a country using pro-traditional policies mean
Preserve the family through self and community support
Policies support women to stay at home
What is an example of a country that uses pro traditional policies
Germany
What does a country using pro-egalitarian policies mean
Promotion of gender equality in home/labour market
Policies to support dual worker/career roles
What is an example of a country that uses pro-egalitarian policies
Sweden
Denmark
What does a country using pro-family but non-interventionist policies mean
Support is targeted only at those in need, limited support for working parents
What is an example of a country that uses pro-family but non-interventionist policies
U.K.
USA
What were three things outlined by new labour
Children must come first
Children need stability
Families raise children
What 5 areas did Millar and Ridge speak about to support families
Better financial support for families Helping families balance work and home Better service and support for parents Strengthen marriage Better support for serious problems
How did Millar and Ridge suggest providing better financial support for families
Higher child benefits New tax credits for poor working families The new deal for lone parents Education maintenance allowance pilots Reform of child support
What did Millar and Ridge suggest to help families balance work and home
Setting framework of family friendly employee rights
Promoting family friendly employment practices
National childcare strategy
How did Millar and Ridge suggest providing better services and support for parents
National family and parenting institute
National parenting helpline and other advice services
Enhanced role for health visitors
The sure start programme
What did Millar and Ridge suggest to strengthen marriages
Measures to strengthen the institution of marriage
Counselling and support for all families
What did Millar and Ridge suggest to provide better support for serious family problems
Reduce school truancy, exclusions and under-performance
Reduce youth offending
Reduce teenage pregnancy
Reduce domestic violence
What vital changes did civil registration introduce
Baby naming
Unmarried fathers parental rights
Choice in marriage settings
Death registration - life partners and still births
What two types of changes did Finch talk about
Facilitative
Persuasive
Who spoke about persuasive and facilitative changes
Finch
What did finch mean by facilitative changes
There are elements in the changes which are facilitative of more diverse patterns of partnering and parenting
What did finch mean by persuasive changes
Consistent with changes in family policies moving away from basing family policy on what is to a focus on what ought to be
What are 6 key policy areas focused on by new labour from 1997-2010
Early education and childcare Financial support for families with children Services for young children Employment activation Work family reconciliation Parental responsibility and behaviour
How did new labour suggest improving early education and childcare
Expansion of child care and early years services as part of national childcare strategy
How did new labour suggest improving financial support for families with children
Introduction of tax credits and increased financial support for families with children
How did new labour suggest improving services for young children and their families
Introduction of sure start
How did new labour suggest improving employment activation
New deal for lone parents and welfare-to-work reform
How did new labour suggest improving work-family reconciliation
Extension of maternity leave, introduction of paternity leave, right to request flexible working
How did new labour suggest improving parental responsibility and behaviour
Greater intervention in family life eg parenting classes
Who spoke about 4 key themes underpinning policy
Williams
What 4 key themes underpinning policy did William’s speak about
Focus on ‘hard working’ families supporting employment
Social investment policies - focus on investing in children as citizens of the future
Focus on parenting and parental responsibilities
Acknowledgement of diversity in family life
What were effects of the 2010 budget and spending review
Major cuts in welfare provisions and public sector services
Social security reductions and changes
Families with children particularly affected - especially new families, low-income working families and large families
Loss of legal aid in family law cases
What 3 areas did the 2014 children and families act look at
Protection for vulnerable children
Work-life balance policies
Family justice system
How did the 2014 children and families actin crease protection for vulnerable children
Encouraging more and faster adoptions
Supporting children in care
New system to help children with special education needs and disabilities
What work life balance policies did the 2014 children and families act introduce
Shared parental leave
Time off for ante natal care
Extended right to request flexible working to all employees
How did the 2014 children and families act improve the family justice system
Encouraging mediation to avoid cases going to court
Encouraging involvement of both parents after separation
What are 4 current conservative policies affecting families
Increase of free childcare hours for 3&4 year olds from 15 hours to 30 hours
New living wage
Welfare system reform
Commitment to eradicate child poverty by 2020 scrapped and re-defined
When was the increase of free childcare hours for 3&4 year olds from 15 hours to 30 hours introduced
September 2017
What is the new living wage and when was it introduced
£7.20 per hour for over 25s
Introduced April 2016
When was the civil partnership act introduced
2004
What are reforms affecting the nuclear family
NHS family planning act 1967 Abortion act 1967 Divorce reform act 1969 Matrimonial property act 1970 Matrimonial cause act 1973
What year was the divorce reform act
1969
After the 1969 divorce reform act under what circumstances could people divorce
After adultery
After unreasonable behaviour
Separation for 2 years with consent
Separation for 5 years without consent
When was the matrimonial and family proceedings act introduced
1984
What did the matrimonial and family proceedings act do
Allowed to file for divorce after one year of marriage
What reasons did Dormor give for the rise in divorce rates
Removal of legal, economic and social barriers
Social and structural changes
Changing values and expectations
Circumstances of marriage
What did Elliot say the consequence of divorce are
Breaks intimate relations Disrupts parental relations Disrupts social networks Financial disruptions Status change
Who spoke about the consequences of divorce
Elliot
Who spoke about reasons for rising divorce rates
Dormor
What percentage of marriages end in divorce
42%
By what time do half of divorces occur
In the first 10 years
What percentage of marriages reach their 20th anniversary
60%
How long is the average marriage expected to last
32 years
What do Beaujouan and Bhrolchain say about cohabitation
More cohabiting couples are separating without marrying
Fewer marry than 20 years ago
Remains a relatively short term type of relationship
At the tenth anniversary of moving in together:
- half of them have married
- just under 4/10 have separated
- slightly over 1/10 are still cohabiting
What does the marriage transferable tax allowance do
‘To recognise marriage and civil partnerships through the income tax system’
Tax break will be worth up to £200 a year
Cohabiters excluded regardless of length of partnership
Designed to help those on low and middle income, but this has been questioned
Who states that marriage is still valued
De Waal
According to De Waal what percentage of young people would like to get married
70%
What 3 family models did Millar and Warman say obligations are placed on
Nuclear family
Individual
Extended family
In what countries are obligations placed on the individual
Denmark
Finland
Norway
Sweden
In what countries are obligations placed on the extended family
Portugal
Spain
Italy
Greece
In what countries are obligations placed on the nuclear family
UK
France
Germany
Belgium
What did Thevenon say the six main aims of family support policies in Europe are
Poverty reduction and income maintenance
Direct compensation for the economic cost of children
Fostering employment
Improving gender equity
Support for early childhood development
Raising birth rates
What 5 money allocation systems did vogler and Pahl speak about
Whole wage Shared allowance Shared management - common pool Shared management - partial pool Independent management
What reasons did Burgoyne and Morison give for independent management
Convenience Avoids complications Avoids conflict Autonomy and independence Hedging bets Inheritance
What 5 money allocation systems did vogler and Pahl speak about
Whole wage Shared allowance Shared management - common pool Shared management - partial pool Independent management
What reasons did Burgoyne and Morison give for independent management
Convenience Avoids complications Avoids conflict Autonomy and independence Hedging bets Inheritance
What did Milar and Warman say about family obligations
What people believe is the right thing to do in a particular situation
What they do when faced with choices
What the law says they must do
What did Finch and Mason say about family obligations
No clear consensus on normative views The amount people actually do is pretty high Cannot predict who will do what A process of negotiation over time In practice women do more
What did Lewis say about the breadwinner model
Has only ever represented a proportion of families Working class families in particular have often had to be engaged in paid employment
Now financial interdependence
What did Creighton say about the male breadwinner model
Sexual division of labour Economic support for families Distribution of time between home and workplace Regulation of marriage and parenthood Decline in model
