The Family and State Policy Flashcards
Which are examples of state policies the government introduced that aim to regulate family life?
divorce reform act (1969)
child tax act (2003)
the bedroom tax (2013)
sam-sex marriage act (2014)
What are left-wing views (labour) on the family?
See nuclear family as desirable
See alternative family structures as acceptable and equally successful in raising children
Believe that state should play a role in family life
Support the idea that both parents may work
What are right-wing views (conservative/new right) on the family?
See nuclear family as the ideal family
See alternatives to the nuclear family as inadequate
See nuclear family as a decline in crisis
See breakdown of traditional family life as the cause of social problems
Argue the state should play a limited role in family life
Support idea of traditional roles in family
What did the divorce reform act (1969) make it easier to do?
Made it easier to get a divorce by widening the grounds for divorce
Couples could just say marriage had broken down and neither partner had to prove fault
How does the new right criticise the divorce reform act (1969)?
New right very critical of divorce reform act because it breaks up families
They believe families should stay together for the sake of children
What do some argue the divorce reform act (1969) undermines?
Undermines traditional nuclear families resulting in a breakdown of family values
How do feminist sociologists criticise divorce reform act?
Feminist sociologists in favour of the divorce reform act as it allows women to escape patriarchal relationships freeing them from oppression and potentially abusive relationships
Who and why was child tax credit (2003) introduced?
Introduced by labour government to support working families
Families in paid employment are given tax relief saving them money which can be spent on things for the children
Who is the child tax credit paid to?
The main carer of the child
Usually the mum
How does the new right criticise child tax credit (2003)?
New right in favour of the money being paid to mothers because this reinforces the view that women should be the primary carer of the children
How do feminist sociologists criticise child tax credit (2003)?
Some feminist sociologists are critical of the money being paid to mothers because this reinforces gender stereotypes
Restricts women to the mother-housewife role
Who and why was marriage tax credit (2015) introduced?
Introduced by conservative government with the aim of encouraging couples to marry
What does the marriage tax credit (2015) involve?
Couples who are married or in civil partnerships pay less tax
Partner with lowest income (£11,000 or less) can transfer £1,100 of their personal tax allowance to their partner, so their partner pays less tax
How do the new right criticise marriage tax credit (2015)?
New right in favour of this policy as it encourages couples to marry which bring stability for the children because married couples are less likely to break up
How do radical feminists criticise marriage tax credit (2015)?
Radical feminists, like Greer, are critical of marriage tax credit because they see marriage as an oppressive, patriarchal institution
Who was the same-sex marriage act (2014) introduced by?
Introduced by coalition government
What was the aim of same-sex marriage act (2014)?
Equal marriage in law for all couples no matter their sexual orientation
Homosexual couples can now marry and have the same legal rights as heterosexual couples
How do feminists criticise same-sex marriage act (2014)?
Feminists support same sex marriage, particularly radical feminists, as lesbian relationships are free from patriarchal control
How do the new right criticise same-sex marriage act (2014)?
New right highly critical because they see same-sex relationship as ‘unnatural’ as they leave children without a male or a female role model
Same sex marriage undermines traditional nuclear family
What is the Troubled families programme (2011)?
a UK government scheme under the Department for Communities and Local government
stated aim of helping troubled families turn their lives around
Who and when was the Troubled Families programme (2011) launched?
Launched by Prime Minister David Cameron in 2011
What does the Troubled families programme (2011) intend to do?
Intends to change the repeating generational patterns of poor parenting, abuse, violence, drug use, anti-social behaviour and crime in most troubled families
Government investing some £4,000 per family over 3 years
What was the aim of the Troubled families programme (2014) by 2015?
Aim to get 120,000 troubled families in England to turn their lives around, in particular:
- get children back to school
- reduce youth crime and anti-social behaviour
- put adults on a path back to work
- reduce high costs these families place on public sector each year
What is universal credit?
A benefit payment for people in or out of work
When might you be able to claim universal credit?
You’re out of work or on a low income
You’re aged 18 or over
You or your partner are under state pension age
You or your partner have less than £16,000 in savings
You live in the UK
What is universal credit made up of?
Made up of a basic allowance plus different elements for things like housing costs, bringing up children, caring or sickness and disability
What does the amount of universal credit you get depend on?
Depends on what income you get from:
- working
- a pension
- other benefits
- savings and capital above £6,000
When you take paternity or maternity leave what might you be eligible for?
May be eligible for:
- 1 or 2 weeks paid paternity leave
- paternity pay
- shared parental leave and pay
How many weeks of maternity leave are pregnant women entitled to?
Entitled to 52 weeks (1 year) of maternity leave
