Topic 3 - Social Policy Flashcards
Explain the difference between direct and indirect social policies. Apply this to the family by using examples
Direct policies intend to shape the family. For example, Adoption Rights (2002) and Abortion (1967). Indirect policies aim to do something else, but end up affecting the family. For example, Taxation and Compulsory Schooling.
Outline 2 cross cultural policies that impacted family life
China One-Child Policy - Population control which discouraged parents from having more than one child. Had to seek permission to have pregnancy in the workplace and usually put on a wait list.
Communist Russia - In the 1980s, Stalin needed to prepare for war, so needed to increase the birth rate. Did this by restricting access to abortion and contraception and keeping women out of the workplace.
Identify two policies the functionalist view would support that benefit all families.
Fletcher (1966)
Welfare State and NHS (1948) supports the family in performing its functions more effectively
Identify two policies the new right view oppose due to it impacting the traditional nuclear family
Almond (2006) - Policies undermine the nuclear family.
Divorce Reform Act (1971) - Undermines marriage. Breaks up the nuclear family, encourages lone parenthood
Civil Partnerships (2004) - same sec couples can’t reproduce. Promotes family diversity. Traditional roles can’t be played. Update: Same Sex Marriage (2013)
These create the issue of Nanny State, which encourages dependency culture.
Murray - welfare state encourages perverse incentives, by awarding antisocial behaviours like council housing
Identify three policies radical feminists would use to suggest policy benefits the traditional patriarchal family
Child Benefit (1977) - Assumes mum is taking the role of raising children and playing an expressive role. Custody of children in divorce - Mothers usually get full custody, if not then joint. Reinforces women into their expressive role. Tax and benefits policies - Assume husband are main wage earners and wives are financially dependent
Identify three policies liberal feminists would support
Equal Pay Act (1970) - Allows women to be financially independent from their partner and gives them opportunity to progress in the workplace.
Lone Parent Benefit (1977) - Usually female as a single parent. They’re given a source of income away from men
Domestic Violence Shelters (1971) - Allows financially dependent women to escape their oppressive and abusive relationships.
Identify 2 policies implemented by New Labour
The New Deal (1998) - In line with New Right viewpoint Civil Partnerships (2004) - Against New Right viewpoint
Identify 2 policies implemented by the coalition government 2010-2015
Same Sex Marriage (2013) - Against New Right viewpoint
Shared Parental Leave (2015) - Against New Right viewpoint
Identify 2 policies implemented by conservative party since 2015
Shared Parental Leave (2015) - The 52 weeks leave (paid for 37) can be used as the couple wish
Explain which direction the UK supports in terms of policy (either individualistic or familistic gender regimes).
The UK is moving from familistic gender regimes to individualistic gender regimes.
Familistic = Policies based on traditional gender division between instrumental man and expressive woman
Individualistic = Policies based on belief that husbands and wives are equal. Each partner has separate entitlement to state benefits
