Social policy pre 2010 Flashcards
Legislation
Laws that enable change
Social policy
Politics can lead to policies, e.g. education being introduced. Ideas that could include a number of different laws
Divorce law Reform Act 1971
-Introduced 1971
-Stated that for the first time, partners did not have to prove or blame the other one of being guilty, but show that marriage had ‘irretrievably broken down’
-74,000 in 1971 to 119,000 couples in 1972 divorced
-An increase in divorce would lead to an increase in single-parent households and reconstituted families
-NR - criticise, single parent households undermine traditional nuclear family so is therefore harmful, puts children and society at risk
Claim women are divorcing and claiming support from welfare state, 65% of divorces from women
-Feminists - counter and argue that divorce is more positive and helps free women from abuse and neglect
Children’s Act 2004
-Enforced government initiative ‘Every Child matters’, steps towards improving children welfare (teenage pregnancy, abuse etc)
-Families and society became more child-centred - introduction of breakfast clubs etc
-Paramountcy principle - children’s needs should be seen are more important
Sex Discrimination Act 1977
-Increase in dual earner families, women joining workforce
-Feminists - led to dual/triple burden
-NR - Increase in dysfunctional families - including more divorce
Educational legislation
Compulsory education 1890
Education and Skills Act 2009 - increased age to 18, children more dependent on family for longer. Change in outlook on children
Labour laws
Restricted working hours for children, can only work at 13
Depending on family for longer
Paternity leave
Man can now take up to 26 weeks, providing women has returned to work. Give couples flexibility to arrange care and
-Feminists for - step towards equality
-NR against - breaks nuclear family
