state policy, social control and surveillance Flashcards
what are state policies
laws introduced by the government which are carried out by agencies such as the child support agency, social services or schools
name some state policies
there are laws governing marriage, divorce, abortion, adoption. “care in the community” and compulsory education up to 18 years old
functionalists see family life as essential for the smooth running of society, so argue that state policies show help families complete functions better.
Give an example of this
a free NHS has meant that it is easier for families to care for sick and elderly relatives
why does Donzelot reject the functionalist idea that state policies contribute to the “march of progress”
social policy is a way of controlling families - for example, doctors, social worker and health visitors rather than helping families are monitoring them. “policing of families”
how does Donzelot explain his argument?
surveillance is not targeted equally on families - poorer families are more likely to be seen as a “problem”. eg; parenting orders - magistrates courts tend to make parenting orders if the child is involved in criminal/anti social behaviour. they require parents to attend classes for 3 months while placing specific obligations on them to deal with the behaviour.
why are the NR unhappy with state policies?
they see them as undermining the traditional family
they argue that the t family is essential for primary socialisation and laws such as civil partnerships and gay marriages/divorce easy laws are undermining society.
what does Charles Murray (NR) say?
welfare benefits for single mums discourage fathers to take any responsibility for their offspring because the state “will provide for them” boys grow up without a father figure and male role model - crime rate high
what do the NR want to do to existing state policies?
change them so welfare benefits are reduced and unmarried mothers cannot live in council housing (less incentive to get pregnant). tax breaks for married couples.
functionalists vs NR
functionalists take view that state welfare polices benefit the family
NR say that the less state interference the better the family will be (greater self reliance and not reliance on state is needed)
what is the feminist argument?
feminists argue that the NR view will justify the return of the traditional patriarchal nuclear family where women are subordinate to men
“care in the community” means women cannot work
education policy involving childcare is not sufficient to enable mums to work full time, school hours + holidays means women fit career around children
