Theoretical Perspectives On Family Policy

Question 1

What do Functionalists believe about state intervention?

Answer 1

•They believe that it should be limited as it is not needed if society is functioning correctly

Question 2

What do Functionalists believe about progressive policies?

Answer 2

•They hold traditional values so are against progressive policies
- for example they are against same sex marriage and abortion

Question 3

What does Parsons advocate for through social policies?

Answer 3

•He advocates for reinforcing the nuclear family through social policies
- this is shown by tax incentives for married people

Question 4

What do Marxists believe about the state creating policies?

Answer 4

•They are critical of the state as they believe it creates policies that serve the needs of the elite
- This is shown by the childcare policies that allow parents to work

Question 5

What does Donzelot argue about the state?

Answer 5

•He argues that the state can effectively “police the family” by intervening when they believe the family is not socialising children correctly
- This is supported by safeguarding when children are taken away from their parents

Question 6

What do Radical Feminists believe the state reinforces through policies?

Answer 6

•They believe the state reinforces patriarchal control through policies that are aimed at women being the primary care giver
- This is displayed by child benefits being initially paid to the mothers

Question 7

What do Liberal Feminists believe about state policies?

Answer 7

•They believe that policies can be used to change the role of women
- This is shown by the Equal Pay Act, the Divorce Reform Act and the legalisation of abortion

Question 8

What do some Feminists also believe about social policies?

Answer 8

•They believe that policies can also help women in need (when they are leaving violent partners)
- This is supported by benefits that tackle child poverty

Question 9

3 examples of Conservative Family Policies (1979-1997):

Answer 9

1.Child Support Agency (1993) - this ensured that absent fathers paid maintenance for the upbringing of their children
2.Section 28 (1988) - this prevented the “promotion” of homosexuality in schools
3.Prime Minster John Major urged a “back to basics” approach by putting forward traditional family values
- These policies support Functionalism

Question 10

7 examples of New Labour Family Policies (1997-2010):

Answer 10

1.Working Family & Child Tax credits
2.Paid paternity leave
3.Civil Partnership Act (2005)
4.Adoption & Children’s Act (2002)
5.Equal age of consent for same sex couples
6.Repeal of Section 28 (2003)
7.Sure Start & Education Maintenance Allowance
- These policies focused on helping on helping those in need and reducing inequality

Question 11

4 examples of Coalition Family Policies (2010-2015):

Answer 11

1.Shared parental leave
2.Same sex marriage (2013)
3.Targeted parents who had
anti-social children with parenting classes
4.Austerity policies (benefit caps, 2 child limit for benefits and a bedroom tax)
- These policies were more progressive than previous Conservative policies but still relied upon cross-party support to pass the policies

Question 12

3 examples of Conservative Family Policies (2015-):

Answer 12

1.Universal Credit
2.Closure of Sure Start centres
3.Freeze of working-age benefits and further cuts to benefits (they were capped at £23,000 per year)