Social Policies Flashcards
1
Q
What is the definition of ‘Social Policy’?
A
laws, actions (regulations) or guidelines created by the government to fix social problems/issues, to make society safer and better.
2
Q
What are the two types of social policies, and what do they mean?
A
1= DIRECT, directly impacts family life (created with family in mind) 2= INDIRECT, indirectly impacts on family life (aimed at tackling other issues, impacts on family as a consequence)
3
Q
Name 6 examples of social policies?
A
1= Divorce Reform Act 1969 2= Equal Pay Act 1970 3= Same Sex Couples Act 2013 4= Maternity + Paternity Policies 5= Child Support Agency 1993 6= Married Persons Tax Allowance 2011
4
Q
What would FUNCTIONALISTS say about social policies?
A
- policies should have a ‘piecemeal approach’, should be slow and gradual.
- policies should help families perform their functions correctly, such as the ‘Child Support Agency’.
- policies should be good for all
- would dislike the ‘Same Sex Couples Act, as they believe only a man and woman should marry to perform functions correctly
5
Q
What would NEW RIGHT say about social policies?
A
- should restore ‘moral order’ in society
- nuclear family is ‘morally healthy’ so would like policies that benefit this family type.
- should help restore independence and self sufficiency, so that the UK does not stay in its ‘nanny state’.
- should not distract men and women from their natural roles, so would not like the Divorce Reformation Act or the Equal Pay Act.
- would not agree with the Same Sex Couples Act, as they do not like these families.
6
Q
What would Marxists say about social policies?
A
- policies give ‘capitalism a caring face’
- they do not go far enough, we need to change the system.
- NHS, min wage, health and safety prevent us from questioning the system.
7
Q
What would feminists say about social policies?
A
- RADICAL = policies created by men to benefit men
- LIBERAL = march of progress, policies have provided women with choice and control over economic and reproductive rights.
- would like Equal Pay Act
8
Q
Describe the Divorce Reform Act 1969.
A
- aim= did not have to give a reason for divorce anymore, made it easier for couples to divorce, women did not have to stay in ‘empty shell families.’
- impact on family= traditional nuclear family split up, allowing reconstituted families/single-parent, diversity.
- divorce rates increased, normalised divorce
9
Q
Describe the Equal Pay Act 1970
A
- aim= brought the right that in the line of work, both women and men should be paid the same.
- impact on family= traditional family abolished, modern family types, women also became the ‘breadwinner’.
10
Q
Describe the Same Sex Couples Act 2013
A
- aim= allow same sex couples to marry, marriages treated same as heterosexual, able to share things within marriage.
- impact on family= same-sex families, no specific gender role, diversity
11
Q
Describe the Maternity/Paternity Policies
A
- aim=give parents paid time off work after birth of child, maternity and paternity can now be shared with 26 weeks each, put into place as it is unlawful to dismiss pregnant employee.
- impact on family= parents there for primary socialisation, however, no specific gender role, both parents at home
12
Q
Describe the Child Support Agency 1993
A
- aim= parents must be financially responsible for children, if one parent does not take care of child, must pay other parent to do so.
- impact on family= encourages traditional nuclear family, increased nuclear family, ignores diversity, and the fact that both parents don’t need to provide for child.
13
Q
Describe the Married Persons Tax Allowance 2011
A
- aim= to promote the nuclear family, and to encourage marriage rather than cohabitation
- income tax threshold (amount of money you could earn before a couple paid income tax) is raised for married couples, married couples pay lower taxes
- this favoured nuclear families, discouraging family diversity, especially single parent households.
