new right theories of the family✅

Question 1

describe the basic principles of the new right

Answer 1

• disagree with the direction that Western society has taken
• dislike what they see as the liberalisation of society
• traditional on their outlook and look back on the ‘golden age’
• believe that modern day society has turned its back on mortality and authority
• want to return to a time when nuclear family was the only family structure that was approved of

Question 2

give an example of a quote that tipifies the New Right’s want for the nuclear family

Answer 2

“single parents are the biggest social problem of our day”
~ John Redwood

Question 3

when did the legalisation of abortions come about?

Answer 3

1967

Question 4

how did the legalisation of abortions impact the family

Answer 4

• reduces need for marriage
• gives women choice–> have children later or not at all
• allows less children

Question 5

what is the introduction of state benefits

Answer 5

council housing for unmarried mothers and cash payments to support lone parent families

Question 6

how did the introduction of state benefits impact the family

Answer 6

• designed to act as safety net for those who fell unemployed during hard times

however sociologists like Charles Murray argue this encourages joblessness + produce next gen of non workers

Question 7

when was the Divorce Reform Act introduced?

Answer 7

1969

Question 8

how did the Divorce Reform Act impact the family

Answer 8

• increased divorce/family breakdown
• New Right believe such changes have weakened the commitment of couples to remain in marriage
• New Right want a change in law to make it harder to divorce

Question 9

when was the Equal Pay Act introduced?

Answer 9

1970

Question 10

how did the Equal Pay Act impact families?

Answer 10

• New right argued that encourgaging mothers of young children to work can cause maternal deprivation
• this can lead to social, emotional and behavioural problems in adolescents

Question 11

when was the decriminalising of homosexual acts brought in?

Answer 11

1967

Question 12

how did the decriminalising of homosexual acts impact the family?

Answer 12

• began to pave way for acceptance of ‘this’ family type

Question 13

describe Charles Murray’s definition of the New Rabble

Answer 13

• underclass including long term unemployed, welfare dependant single mothers who rely on benefits
• believed they were problem as they socialise next generation of New Rabble

Question 14

describe Charles Murray’s definition of the New Victorians

Answer 14

• respectable m/c who marry, socialise their children and pay taxes

Question 15

why does Charles Murray believe the nuclear family is under threat?

Answer 15

• benefits are too high which creates ‘culture of dependency’
• individuals find it easier/acceptable to take benefits and not work
  -benefits provides non-inspirational role model to children

Question 16

give some examples of legislations introduced by the Conservative government aimed at strengthening the traditional nuclear family

Answer 16

• cutting benefits –> encourage system where ‘work pays off’
• back to basics campaign–> MP Major urged to put forward traditional family values
• section 28–> prevented the teaching of homosexuality

Question 17

what are some overall A03 points of the New Right view of the family?

Answer 17

• New Right fail to take into account the negative aspects of ‘traditional family life’
• feminists argue that the New Right want to turn the clocks back on women’s rights
• New Right exaggerate the decline of family life
• New Right have been highly influential in development of government policies

Question 18

what is a criticism of the New Right view in regards to failing to take into account the negative aspects of traditional family life

Answer 18

• fail to take into account domestic abuse, violence, women being obligated to get married –> 25% of DV is from husbands
• creates a stigma of homo/single-parent families
  -their view of the relationship between family is too simplistic

Question 19

how do feminists A03 the New Right theory of the family?

Answer 19

• claim that the NR want to turn the clocks back on women’s rights
• women were treated as second class citizens
• NR view of family and social structure is too out of date

Question 20

give an A03 point regarding the New Right exaggerating the decline of family life

Answer 20

Chester(1985) shows that the nuclear family is still the dominant family type
- most ppl end up in nuclear family