Social Policy

Question 1

Fletcher

Answer 1

The introduction of health, education and housing policies since the industrial revolution has led to the development of a welfare state that supports the family

Question 2

Donzelot

Answer 2

Sees policy as a form of state power and control over families (uses Foucaults concept of surveillance)

Question 3

Foucault

Answer 3

Sees professionals (doctors) as exercising power over their clients by using their expert knowledge to control and change families

Question 4

Murray (NR)

Answer 4

Critical of welfare policy. Providing ‘generous’ welfare benefits undermines the nuclear family and encourages deviant behaviour
‘perverse incentives’

Question 5

Abbort and Wallace

Answer 5

Cutting benefits, drive more families into poverty

Question 6

Almond

Answer 6

.Laws making divorce easier - undermines the idea of marriage
. Intro of civil partnerships - no longer sees heterosexual as superior
^ increased rights for unmarried cohabitations make cohabitation and marriage more similar

Question 7

Thatchers’ conservative government (1979-94)

Answer 7

Banned the promotion of homosexuality by local authorities - introduced ways of making divorce easier

Question 8

Silva and Smart

Answer 8

new labour know women have to work as well - longer maternity leave

Question 9

Land

Answer 9

Many social policies assume that the ideal family is the patriarchal nuclear family

Question 10

Leonard

Answer 10

Even when policies appear to support women they still reinforce patriarchy:
- childcare: not enough for both parents to work full time
. Tax and benefits: may assume husbands are the main earner
. Care for the sick and elderly

Question 11

Drew

Answer 11

Most EU countries are moving towards more individualistic gender regimes - husband and wife should be treated the same