the new right perspective on the family

Question 1

The New Right View of the Family

Answer 1

Like Functionalists, the New Right hold the view that there is only one correct or normal family type. This is the traditional or conventional nuclear family. Again like Functionalists, The New Right sees this family as ‘natural’ and based on fundamental biological differences between men and women.

In their view this family is the cornerstone of society; a place of contentment, refuge and harmony. Finally the New Right argue that the decline of the traditional family and the growth of family diversity are the cause of many social problems such as higher crime rates and declining moral standards generally

Question 2

Evidence for ‘non-nuclear families’ being a problem

Answer 2

1. The rate of family breakdown is much lower amongst married couples (6% compared to 20%)
2. Children from broken homes are almost five times more likely to develop emotional problems
3. Young people whose mother and father split up are also three times as likely to become aggressive or badly behaved
4. Lone-parent families are more than twice as likely to live in poverty as two-parent families.
5. Children from broken homes are nine times more likely to become young offenders.”

Question 3

Criticisms of the New Right view of the family

Answer 3

1. They exaggerate the decline of the Nuclear family. Most adults still marry and have children.
2. Feminism – gender roles are socially determined rather than being fixed by biology. Traditional gender roles are oppressive to women.
3. Feminism – divorce being easier is good because without it many women end up being trapped in unhappy or abusive relationships.

Most single parents are not welfare scroungers – most want to work but find it difficult to find jobs that are flexible enough so they can balance work and child care.

Question 4

Problems with Lone mothers

Answer 4

Are poorer – one mothers are twice as likely as two-parent families to live in poverty at any one time]

2.Are more likely to have mental health problems

may have more problems interacting with their children. Young people in lone-parent families were 30% more likely than those in two-parent families to report that their parents rarely or never knewwhere they were