Social Policy

Question 1

Marxism

Answer 1

• negative view of social policy
• argue that social policy supports capitalism
• low level state pension improvement for working class families

Althusser
• ideological state apparatus maintains false class consciousness

Question 2

Functionalism

Answer 2

• positive view of social policy
• consensus
• argues it helps the family perform functions for society
• March of Progress view

Fletcher
• introduction of NHS, housing policies & education policies have helped families take care of each other

Question 3

Radical Feminism

Answer 3

• negative view of social policy
• maternity leave

Drew
• gender regimes are fatalistic and individualistic

Question 4

The New Right

Answer 4

• negative view of social policy
• growing concern of decline of nuclear family
- they believe the government shouldn’t intervene
• Child Support Agency 1993
- supported families to make their own arrangements + not rely on the state

Denniss & Erdos
• fatherless families & lack of male role models

Murray
• The Underclass (lower than w/c)

Question 5

New Labour

Answer 5

• positive view of social policy
• doesn’t want to pressure people into decisions = okay with family diversity but they do value the nuclear family
• Tony Blair 1983 - 2007
• Gordon Brown 2007 - 2010
• New Deal
• Equal Adoption Rights
• Civil Partnership
• Increased Maternity Leave

Question 6

Liberal Feminism

Answer 6

• positive view of social policy
• Care in community

Land
• policies act as a self-fulfilling prophecy
- eg. maternity leave legitimises the traditional idea of motherhood