How Does Social Policy Shape Family Life? Flashcards
what is a social policy
Social policy refers to the plans and actions of state agencies such as health and social services, the welfare benefits system and schools and other bodies.
1969 divorce act
Before 1969, one partner had to prove that the other was ‘at fault’ to be granted a divorce, however, following the Divorce Reform Act of 1969, a marriage could be ended if it had irretrievably broken down, and neither partner no longer had to prove “fault”. However, if only one partner wanted a divorce, they still had to wait 5 years from the date of marriage to get one. In 1984 this was changed so that a divorce could be granted within one year of marriage.
the civil partnership act 2004
The Civil Partnership Act 2004 gave same-sex couples the rights and responsibilities like those in a civil marriage. The Act was introduced by the New Labour government in power at the time. Civil partners are entitled to the same property rights, the same exemptions on inheritance tax, social security, and pension benefits as married couples. They also have the same ability to get parental responsibility for a partner’s children as well as reasonable maintenance, tenancy rights, insurance, and next-of-kin rights in hospital and with doctors. There is a process like divorce for dissolving a civil partnership.
the marriage act 2013
This act allows same-sex couples to enter a marriage in England and Wales on the same basis as opposite-sex couples, and to convert Civil Partnerships to Marriages. Statistics from the ONS suggest that same-sex couples prefer marriage over civil partnerships as there were approximately 6000 same-sex marriages in 2019, which reflects the drop off in the number of civil partnerships since marriage has been an option.
the marriage and civil partnership minimum age act 2022
In 2022 the minimum age of marriage in England and Wales was raised to 18. Previously it had been possible for 16 and 17 year olds to get married with parental consent. Since 2022 it is illegal to force children, including 16 and 17 year olds to marry and to do so could incur a jail sentence of up to seven years in prison. The act also covers more ‘informal’ non-legally binding ceremonies.
the employment protection act of 1975
Social responsibility for women’s health during childbearing was first recognised through the 1911 National Insurance Act. It included a universal maternal health benefit and a one off maternity grant of 30 shillings for insured women (around £119 in today’s money)
However, many women were routinely sacked for becoming pregnant until the late 1970s and the UK only introduced its first maternity leave legislation through the Employment Protection Act 1975. However, for the first 18 years (until 1993!) only about half of working women were eligible for it because of long qualifying periods of employment. The act was amended in 1993 so that all pregnant women got a minimum of 14 weeks statutory maternity leave regardless of prior employment
shared parental leave
From 2015, parents will be given the right to share the care of their child in the first year after birth. Women in employment will retain their right to 52 weeks of maternity leave. Only mothers will be allowed to take leave in the first two weeks’ leave after birth. But after that parents can divide up the rest of the maternity leave.
the child benefit acts 1975
The Child Benefit Bill introduced for the first time a universal payment, paid for each child. The rate payable was £1/week for the first and £1.50 for each subsequent child. An additional 50p was payable to lone-parent families.
Child Benefits increased in line with inflation, until 1998, when the new Labour government increased the first child rate by more than 20% and abolished the Lone Parent rate. Rates increased again in line with inflation until 2010, since which time they have been frozen.
Effective from 7 January 2013, Child Benefit became means tested – those earning more than £50,000 per year would have part of their benefit withdrawn, and if earning over £60,000, would receive nothing at all.
the adoption act 2005
In 2005, under New Labour, the law on adoption changed, giving unmarried couples, including gay couples, the right to adopt on the same basis as married couples
direct effects of social policies
These are the visible intended effects of a policy e.g. married persons tax benefits.
indirect effects of social policies
hese are things that happen which are not necessarily expected. e.g. privatising healthcare for the elderly.
the beveridge report 1942
Introduction of the welfare state,
Included National Insurance – money that is deducted from people’s wages that helps pay for people’s welfare as well as the National Health Service, which offers free healthcare to everyone.
This was a significant report as it was the first to really make family welfare a state issue. It had the effect of reducing poverty and improving the health of some of the poorest and most vulnerable individuals and families in society.
equal pay act 1970
Illegal to discriminate against men or women on the grounds of their sex in relation to pay.
Despite the act coming into force men are still often paid more than women when doing the same job. But the Equal Pay Act was important in sending a message to women that they were legally entitled to equal pay, even if in reality this is not necessarily practiced.
sex discrimination act 1975
Discrimination illegal on the grounds of sex and marital status
This sent a very clear message about the importance of gender equality in both the public and private sphere.
right wing policy
1993 child support agency
Designed to make fathers pay maintenance for their children and discourage people from having children outside marriage. In fact the CSA was very expensive and ineffective.
