theoretical perspectives on social policy

Question 1

functionalism

AO3

Answer 1

• positive - state acting in the interests of society as a whole
• policies help families perform their functions more effectively
• NHS

Question 2

marxism

AO3

Answer 2

• the state serves capitalism, e.g. low level of state pensions, elderly are ‘maintained’ at a low cost
• policies provide a ‘caring face’ of capitalism

Question 3

feminism

AO3

Answer 3

• state helps to maintain women’s subordinate position in the family
• government assumes husbands are the main wage earners
• lack of affordable childcare restricts maternity leave

liberal feminists take a march of progress view instead

Question 4

new right

AO3

Answer 4

• sees nuclear family as best family type, considering gender roles natural
  -this means family will be self reliant and welfare state won’t need to be involved
• diversity has created dependency culture
• policies like divorce/gay marriage undermine idea of lifelong commitment

feminists argue this view helps to reinforce patriarchy

Question 5

donzelot

AO3

Answer 5

• social policy is a way for the state to control families
• applies foucaults work on surveillance
• professional carry out surveillance of the family for the state
• ‘policing the family’
• occurs more in wc families, problems with safeguarding issues

marxists and feminists argue that donzelot does not fully identify who benefits from policies of surveillance