Social policy

Question 1

According to functionalists, what do policies help the family with?

Answer 1

Performing their functions more effectively-> better life for members

Question 2

What does Fletcher (functionalist) argue about the introduction of health and housing policies since the industrial revolution?

Answer 2

• helped the family perform their functions more effectively
  e.g. national health service- family can take care of their sick members

Question 3

Give two criticisms for the functionalist (fletcher’s) pov on social policy

Answer 3

1. Assumes all members benefit equally from social policies
2. Assumes there is a march of progress with social policies, making life better

Question 4

What does Donzelot (functionalist) argue about social policies?

Answer 4

• policies= state power, control families
• rejects march of progress view that social policies have created a better society

Question 5

How do Marxists and feminists criticise Donzelot?

Answer 5

• fails to identify who benefits from such policies of surveillance

Question 5

According to the New Right, what have social policies encouraged?

Answer 5

A move towards the traditional lifestyle

Question 6

What does Almond argue about social policies? (New right)

Answer 6

• laws = making divorce easier-> undermining idea of marriage as lifelong commitment
• intro of gay and lesbian civil partnerships-> state no longer sees heterosexual marriage as superior

Question 7

What does Murray argue benefits offer?

Answer 7

perverse incentives

Question 8

What are two solutions the new right suggest in terms of social policies?

Answer 8

1. cut welfare spending
2. Tighter restrictions on who is eligible for benefits

Question 9

How do Abbott and Wallace criticise the New Right’s solution to social policy?

Answer 9

• cutting benefits would drive poor families into greater poverty

Question 10

Name 3 policies that support the patriarchal family according to feminists and how they promote this:

Answer 10

1. Tax and benefits- assumes husbands are wage earners, wives are dependent-> women can’t claim benefits-> women’s dependency
2. Childcare- Gov pays for some pre-school childcare, not enough to allow women to work full time unless they can afford extra childcare
3. Care of the sick/elderly- Policies often assume that women in the family will care for others- less likely to work full time-> economic dependence

Question 11

How does maternity leave and childcare social policies promote a patriarchal society according to Diana Leonard?

Answer 11

1. Maternity leave- ML= more generous than paternity leave (assumes women responsible for childcare), maternity benefits= also low-> economic dependence
2. Childcare- Child benefit= normally paid to mother- she does not have income, assumes responsibility for children are permanently with her

Question 12

How does Eileen Drew criticise familistic and individualistic gender regimes?

Answer 12

Familistic gender regimes:
Traditional gender divisions
Greece= little state funded childcare+ women rely mostly on extended kin

Individualistic gender regimes:
Husband and wives should be treated the same
Sweden- policies- women are less dependent on men

Question 13

What is a criticism of feminists view of social policy?

Answer 13

Not all policies directed at women reinforce patriarchy e.g.
1. Equal pay and sex discrimination
2. Rights of lesbians to marry
3. Benefits for lone parents