Social Policy

• What are social policies?

  Measures taken by organizations based on laws introduced by governments.
• How can social policies affect families and households?

  They can have direct effects, such as laws on marriage, or indirect effects, like care in the community policies.
• What are examples of direct and indirect effects of social policies on families?

  • Direct effects: laws on marriage, divorce, contraception, child protection.
  • Indirect effects: care in the community policies leading to family members caring for each other.
• When was the one-child policy introduced in China?

  In 1980.
• What was the purpose of China's one-child policy?

  To control population growth.
• What benefits were provided to couples who had only one child in China?

  Free child health care, priority in education and housing.
• What happens to couples in China who break the one-child policy agreement?

  They have to repay allowances and pay a fine.
• What pressure did women face under China's one-child policy?

  They were pressured to undergo sterilization after the first child.
• What change occurred to China's one-child policy in 2015?

  It was altered to allow two children.
• What was the goal of Communist Romania's policies in the 1980s?

  To increase the birth rate.
• What measures did Communist Romania take to increase the birth rate?

  Restricting contraception and abortion, setting up infertility treatment centers, and lowering the legal age of marriage to 15.
• How have divorce laws in the UK changed family dynamics?

  They have made it easier to leave an unhappy marriage.
• What effect do labour laws have on children in the UK?

  They prevent children from working and increase their dependence on parents.
• How has the raising of the school leaving age in the UK affected families?

  It increases the dependency of children on their parents.
• What significant legislation was passed in the UK in 2013 regarding same-sex couples?

  The Same Sex Marriage Act.
• How does the availability of contraception and abortion affect family size in the UK?


  It shapes family size and gives women control over their bodies.
• What powers do domestic and child abuse laws give to police in the UK?


  They allow police to remove violent members from the home and place children in care.
• What is the functionalist perspective on social policies?

  • See social policies positively.
  • Believe policies create a freer, better society.
  • Welfare services help families perform functions efficiently.
• What assumption do functionalists make about social policies?

  They assume a march of progress, making family life gradually better.
• What criticism do functionalists face regarding social policies?

  Policies mainly benefit men and can be cut too much, harming families.
• What is the New Right perspective on social policies?

  • See social policies negatively.
  • Favor minimal government intervention.
  • Support policies that uphold the nuclear family.
• What social policies did Mrs. Thatcher's government implement regarding family structures?

  They banned teachers from promoting homosexuality as an acceptable family form.
• What do New Right critics say about social policies that undermine the nuclear family?

  They criticize laws that promote homosexual relationships and make divorce easier.
• What paradox exists in New Right policies regarding divorce?

  Conservative governments have introduced laws that make divorce easier despite their agenda.
• What is Murray's criticism of welfare policies?

  They reduce self-reliance and create a dependency culture.
• How does Murray view the impact of generous welfare on family types?

  It encourages dysfunctional family types that are harmful to society.
• What does Murray suggest about absent fathers and juvenile crime?

  He argues that absent fathers contribute to increases in juvenile male crime.
• What does Murray support regarding welfare spending?

  He supports cutting welfare spending and placing tighter restrictions on eligibility.
• What is the feminist critique of the New Right stance on family policy?

  They argue it justifies a return to a patriarchal nuclear family that oppresses women.
• What is the New Labour perspective on social policies?

  • See social policy positively.
  • Believe policies can improve family lives.
  • Increased child benefit to reduce childhood poverty.
• How did New Labour's policies align with New Right thinking?

  They supported the traditional nuclear family and cut benefits to lone parents.
• What policies did New Labour introduce that went against New Right views?

  Adoption rights to unmarried couples and the Civil Partnership Act for same-sex couples.
• What employment laws did New Labour support for families?

  They supported longer maternity leave and rights for both parents to take time off work.
• What was the Working Families Tax Credit designed to do?

  It enabled parents to claim tax relief on childcare costs.
• What criticism do New Labour policies face regarding childhood poverty?

  Significant numbers of children remained in poverty while Labour was in power.
• What is the feminist perspective on social policies?

  • See social policy negatively.
  • Policies largely benefit men and reinforce patriarchy.
  • Alternatives to the nuclear family are discouraged.
• How do tax and benefit policies affect women's economic dependence?

  They create incentives for married couples and discourage cohabitation.
• What does Leonard (1978) argue about maternity leave policies?

  They reinforce the idea that women should be the main carers of children.
• How does child benefit reinforce traditional family roles?

  It is paid to women, reinforcing the idea that mothers are responsible for children's welfare.
• What are Drew's views on gender regimes in social policy?

  • Familistic gender regimes promote traditional gender roles.
  • Individualistic gender regimes create equality between sexes.
  • Sweden is an example of a country with equal opportunity policies.