New Right Theory

Question 1

New Right

Answer 1

• update of Functionalist Theory
• agree with Functionalists that the nuclear family’s the ideal family type as it’s based on biological differences between women and men and only within the nuclear family can the roles be performed properly.

Question 2

New Right- Why’s the ideal nuclear family in crisis?

Answer 2

-Increasing divorce rates.
-Too generous welfare benefits.
-The influence of feminism which has devalued marriage
The decline in the nuclear family leads to social disorder such as crime.

Question 3

MURRAY- due to decrease of nuclear families, theres 2 new groups in society

Answer 3

Underclass – unemployed, single mums who depend on benefits and therefore a threat to society.

               - They can't socialise their kids properly so they fail in education and turn to crime. 
               - At the same time, the dad's don't have to work as they have no family to support so they also become dependant on benefits and become anti-social. This creates a dependency culture. 

New Victorians – respectable m/c who work, pay taxes, marry and socialise their children properly.

Question 4

MURRAY- what’s the solution to the problems family diversity creates?

Answer 4

New Right recommend that all parents must be married, mothers should stay at home and families must not receive benefits.

Question 5

NEW RIGHT CRITICISMS

Answer 5

• Ignore that many nuclear families fail to socialise their kids properly.
• Feminists accuse the New Right of being sexist. They ignore the fact that with rising cost of living, a man’s income is not enough to support a family so women’s work is essential.
• Cutting benefits for lone parents would make innocent children suffer.