Family structure - Social policy

Question 1

social policy includes laws that the government uses to try and influence family life/structure

e.g divorce laws and changes to the benefit system which influence family income

Answer 1

• margaret thatchers tory reforms based off new right perspective
  (favour nuclear, too much dependent on benefits)
  > with less benefits and income for lone parent families, it is harder for families to work without both mother and father
• Although it did not work they also proposed to make divorce more difficult by having a ‘cooling off’ period

Question 2

What was Labour’s contribution to social policy which changed family structure

Answer 2

• allowed for civil partnership (gay people)
• any type of cohabiting couple could adopt
• however similarly to new right, they cut lone parent benefits