*Social Policies Flashcards
What are social policies?
Governmental legislation and activities that aim to improve the well being of its people and society in general.
What role do political parties play in social policy in modern Britain?
Political parties represent a range of different opinions and have distinctive ideologies.
How do social policies affect families?
They include laws governing marriage, divorce, abortion, contraception, child protection, and adoption, as well as policies on childcare, education, housing, and crime.
What is the traditional view of the family in Britain?
The family is seen as a relatively private institution with significant public functions.
What is the government’s stance on marriage promotion?
Marriage is generally encouraged through taxation, though overt encouragement of marriage is limited.
What are the legal requirements for marriage in the UK?
You must be at least 18 years old (or 16 with parental permission), cannot marry close relatives, and cannot marry someone already married.
What are the two types of government intervention in family life?
- Directive: government intervention and support
- Non-directive: government not interfering, allowing various parenting styles.
What are the key steps in creating social policy?
- Understanding what family is and what it should become
- Differentiating what the family does vs what it should do
- Defining policy aims.
What is the Conservative government’s ‘Care in the Community’ policy?
A policy initiative aimed at de-institutionalizing care for groups like the elderly and disabled to reintegrate them into the community.
What was the impact of the 1969 Divorce Act?
Allowed divorce without proving fault, and established that the marriage could be ended if irretrievably broken down.
What protections were introduced for maternity in the UK?
The Employment Protection Act of 1975 established maternity leave, with 52 weeks available today.
What does the Paternity Act 2010 entail?
Extended paid statutory paternity leave; eligible employees can take up to 26 weeks leave after the mother returns to work.
What rights do same-sex couples have under the Civil Partnerships Act 2004?
Same rights and responsibilities as married couples, including property rights and parental responsibility.
What significant changes did the Child Benefit Acts introduce?
Introduced a universal payment for each child, with significant changes in rates and means testing over the years.
What is the main argument of New Right thinkers regarding social policy?
Policies should support the nuclear family and encourage self-reliance to reduce dependency.
How do Marxists view social policies?
They argue social policies serve the ruling class at the expense of the working class.
What is the functionalist perspective on social policy?
Social policy is seen as contributing to social stability and assisting the family rather than controlling it.
What do feminists argue about social policies?
Policies are based on the belief that women and children are dependent on male breadwinners.
What is Jacques Donzelot’s view on the state’s role in family behavior?
The state uses social policies to regulate behavior, targeting poorer families more frequently.
Fill in the blank: The 1984 Divorce Act allowed divorce to be granted within ______ of marriage.
one year.
True or False: The Child Benefit was initially introduced as a means-tested payment.
False.
What did the Adoption Act 2002 change?
It allowed unmarried couples, including gay couples, to adopt on the same basis as married couples.
