New right theory of the family

Question 1

What are the New Right’s main ideas about the family?

Answer 1

• Traditional/functionalist views on social issues of 1970s/80s
• Nuclear family is ideal- ‘golden age of family’
• pro marriage, against benefits for single mothers ‘perverse incentives’
• nuclear family promotes dependency, manners, respect for property and law

Question 2

What does Charles Murray (NR theorist) argue?

Answer 2

• thinks governments give ‘perverse incentives’ to single parents who are ‘welfare scroungers’
• underclass= criminals, anti social
• teenage girls see pregnancy as help for financial support and housing

Question 3

How do feminists criticise Charles Murray/NR ideas?

Answer 3

1. Female lone-parent families are being scapegoated for structural inequalities in society
2. Divorce being easier allows many women to leave abusive relationships

Question 4

How does Chester criticise the new right?

Answer 4

nr exaggerate the extent of cohabiting and single parent families