Theoretical and Ideological Perspectives on Family Policies

• Marxists believe that social policy prefers nuclear because it is best for capitalism
• Donzelot (Marxist) says the state uses policies to have power over the family and will have surveillance for working class families
• Condry (Marxist) says that social policy is to regulate family life
• Land (Feminist) says that social policy that promotes the nuclear family because it reinforces patriachy
• Leonard (Feminist) found that social policy that is said to benefit women actually reinforce the patriarchy, such as maternity and paternity leave
• Fletcher (Functionalist) found that social policy will supplement the needs of the family
• The New Right ideas about the family has had strong influence on the conservative policy