Topic 7 - Social Policies and the Family* Flashcards
New Right social policies promoting a nuclear family (3)
New Right Influence (1979-97):
- “Back to basics” approach by John Major
- Ban on the promotion of homosexuality by local authorities
- Defined divorce as a social problem
New Labour social policies promoting a nuclear family (1)
New Labour: 1997-2010
- Stressed idea that a nuclear family is best for children
Feminist and Marxist views of policies promoting a nuclear family (2)
Feminist view: State policies promoting nuclear families help to subordinate women’s positions
Marxist view: Social polices are a form of state control over families- these policies often benefit the Bourgeoisie e.g. troubled families programme.
Social policies & laws that discourage a nuclear family (neo-conventional families) (4)
New Labour family policies 1997-2010
- Working family and child tax credits
- Paid paternity leave
- Repeal of section 28 2003
- Civil Partnership Act (2005)
Marxist evaluation of social policies that discourage a nuclear family (1)
- Argue policies such as free childcare act as a smokescreen- actually to serve the needs of the Bourgeoisie by ensuring the economy functions and people are working.
Conservative laws 2015+ (3)
- Universal Credit - replace other forms of benefits
- Closure of Sure Start Centres - left children and families vunerable
- Freeze on working-age benefits, further cuts to benefit cap to £23,000 per annum.
New Gov. policies have a primary focus on cutting welfare- not promoting nuclear families.
Policies affecting education [2]
1880 Elementary Education Act - compulsory schooling
2015 ROSLA - must stay in school until 18
Policies surrounding child protection & growth of children’s rights [2]
1889 Prevention of Cruelty to Children Act
1989 The Children Act - parents have ‘responsiblities’ rather than ‘rights’ in relation to their children, have to consider children first
What % of divorce petitions are made by women
70%
Policies affecting welfare [3]
2012 Welfare Reform Act - no more than £2000 a month for benefits
2012 Troubled Families Programme - helped families move towards independency from Welfare state
2016 Childcare Act - 30 hours free childcare for 3 & 4 year olds of working families
Policies affecting divorce [2]
1969 Divorce Reform Act - introduced the ‘irretrievable breakdown’ as only reason for divorce
2022 No Fault Divorce - Made even easier for divorce
Policies affecting marriage and cohabitation [3]
2002 cohabiting couples given same rights as married couples to adopt
2004 Civil Partnership Act - offered almost same legal rights as marriage for same-sex couples
2013 Same-Sex marriage act - fully recognised legal marriage for same-sex couples
Policies causing a decline in the birth rate [4]
1970 Equal Pay Act - barriers to women working removed
1975 Sex Discrimination Act - protected people against discrimination based on the grounds of sex, marital status, employment, training education
2010 Equality Act - encouraged anti-discrimination in all areas of society, can help women enter work positions
1967 Abortion Act - women can control their fertility
Policies causing a decline in the death rate [2]
1948 Introduction of NHS
1956 Clean Air Act
Leonard (Feminist) view of social policies
Even where they appear to benefit the family e.g. maternity leave policies benefit women, it reinforces patriarchy, because the terms of paternity leave are less generous, implying that women are the natural carers.
