Social Policy Flashcards
What does social policy refer too?
The plan and actions of the Government agencies, such as the health and social service, the welfare benefits system, schools and other public bodies.
How do functionalists see policies?
As helping families to perform their functions more effectively and make life better for its members
What does Fletcher argue?
The introduction of health, education and housing policies had led to the development of the welfare state that supports the family performing its functions more effectively.
What is the evaluation for functionalism?
Assumes all members of society benefit easily- feminists would argue that man benefit from policy more than
Assumes there has been a march of progress in they Lillies have made life better for everyone- however, cutting benefits to the poor hasn’t done this
What does Donzelot believe about policies?
That policies do not benefit the family- state policy is a form of power and control over families. He agrees with Foucault- professionals exercise their powers over clients by using knowledge to turn them into cases to be dealt with.
What is the evaluation for Donzelot?
Marxists and feminists argue Donzelot fails to identify who benefits from these policies. Marxists- ruling class benefit, Feminists- men benefit.
How do Marxists view social policies?
Marxists do not see social policies as benefitting all members of society equally. They see state and its policies as serving capitalism.
‘Marxists argue that some policies affecting families have come about because of the needs of capitalism.’ What happened during WW2 when large numbers of men were sent into the armed forces as an example for the statement?
Women were needed as a reserve army of labour to fill the jobs they had left vacant. The government set up 1450 nurseries for the children of working mothers. However, when the men returned, the nurseries were closed down and women could no longer work.
According to the New Right, what should social policies avoid?
They should avoid doing anything that might undermine this natural, self-reliant family
How has family diversity threatening the family?
Because they produce social problems such as crime and welfare dependency,
According to Almond. How does law making divorce easier undermine the family?
Undermined the idea of marriage as a lifelong commitment between a man and a woman.
According to Almond, his had the introduction of civil partnerships undermined the family?
Sends out the message that the state no longer sees heterosexual marriage as the superior domestic set up.
According to Almond, how has tax laws undermined the family?
Discriminative against conventional families with a sole male breadwinner. Cannot transfer the no working partners tax allowances to the working partner.
What does Murray argue the welfare state provides?
It provides welfare benefits such as council housing for unmarried teenage mothers and cash payments to support lone parent families which encourages deviant and dysfunctional family types. Leads to perverse incentives.
What two essential functions does social policies threaten?
The successful socialisation of the young and the maintenance of a work ethic among men.
What is the New Rights solution to these problems?
They argue that policy must be changed, with cuts in welfare spending and tighter red ink who is eligible for benefits. They also afford policies to support the nuclear families such as taxes that favour married couples and making absent fathers financially responsible for their children
What does feminist Hilary Land argue about social policies?
That they assume that the ideal family is the patriarchal nuclear family. Policies reinforce patriarchal roles and relationships
How do tax and benefits maintain the family and women’s economic dependence?
Assume husbands are the breadwinners- wives are financially dependant. Wives can’t claim social security in their own right
How does childcare maintain the family and women’s dependence?
Government pays for some childcare but not enough to permit parents working full time unless they can meet the additional costs. School timetables make it difficult for women to work so they become financially dependant
How does caring for the sick and elderly maintain the family and women’s dependence?
Government policies assume the family will provide this- middle aged women are expected to provide this care which means they cannot work.
What is the evaluation for feminists?
Liberal feminists- argue not all policies maintain patriarchy for example Equal Pay Act and Sex Discrimination Act
What is Drew’s Familistic Gender regimes?
Policies are based on a traditional gender division between the male breadwinner and the female caregiver
What is Drew’s individualistic gender regimes?
Whether policies are based on the belief that husbands and wives should be treated the same. Wives are not assumed to be dependant on their husbands.
What is the Conservatives government from 1979-1997 views on the families and policies introduced?
Favoured the nuclear family
Benefits should be cut
Enforced 1 year waiting period got a divorce to avoid breakups
Internodes child support acct- absent fathers pay child support to encourage fathers to stay
Banned the promotion of homosexuality
What is the Nre Labour governments from 1997-2010 views on families and policies introduced?
Introduced working tax credits- enhance income for LPF
favoured family diversity
Introduced civil partnership act- legal rights to homosexuals
Introduced adoption act- allows single/homosexuals to adopt a child
Introduced various childcare schemes
WHAG was the coalition government from 2010-2015s view of the family and policies introduced?
The conservative-led government introduced gay marriage- a policy oppressive by new right traditionalists.
