Topic 12 - the new right view of the family?

Question 1

Introduction?

Answer 1

The New Right, rooted in functionalism, presents a controversial yet influential perspective on family and society in UK politics since the late 1970s. They idealize a “golden age” of the past, arguing that societal conditions were better then. Their theories are based on statistics linking social issues, such as mental illness and crime, to single-parent or broken families. They contend that the welfare state fosters laziness and undermines personal and social responsibility by providing support for single parents and the unemployed.

Question 1

Aim?

Answer 1

the new rights are hugely influential as regards public policy with families
many sociologists are doubtful with this approach

Question 2

New right views of family life?

Answer 2

The New Right was most influential during the 1980s and 1990s under Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, with Charles Murray as a key sociological supporter. Murray argued that the traditional nuclear family is the ideal and that it is threatened by the welfare state, which he claimed incentivizes young women to have children for financial support. He believed this undermines male responsibility and leads to children from single-parent families lacking positive male role models, resulting in laziness and criminal behavior. The New Right opposes cohabitation, arguing that marriage strengthens family bonds and reduces breakup rates. They also criticize mothers in full-time work for not fulfilling their expressive roles in raising children and advocate for heterosexual families, opposing same-sex relationships due to concerns over role modeling for children.

Question 3

New right views?

Answer 3

The New Right argues that the conventional nuclear family is the ideal, with men as dominant and women as expressive. They believe lone-parent families are unnatural and detrimental to children’s development, leading to issues like unsocialization. They claim that family diversity contributes to problems such as crime and poverty.

Question 4

Social problems and the single-parent family?

Answer 4

The New Right blames the breakdown of the nuclear family for social problems, while other sociological perspectives suggest that underlying issues, such as crime, may lead to family breakdowns. Feminists argue that men are a root cause of social issues, while Marxists attribute it to capitalism.

Question 5

Strengths of the new right?

Answer 5

The new rights have been very influential in terms of influencing government thinking
The new rights emphasise the positive aspects of the nuclear family
It appeals to ‘common sense’, ideas about society
Children in lone-parent families are more likely to experience poverty than those raised by two parents

Question 6

Weaknesses?

Answer 6

Many sociologists argue that the New Right theory unfairly blames victims for their poverty, leading to negative government policies that stigmatize benefit dependency. Marxists view it as a reflection of capitalist ideology, while feminists believe it undermines women’s rights and equality. There is little research supporting the New Right’s claims, particularly regarding young women having children for housing benefits, and it overlooks the positive experiences of those in non-traditional families.