Social policy and the family

• What is the main focus of debates over family life in Britain?

  Politics and social policy
• Why do politicians emphasize the importance of family life?

  It is seen as the bedrock of society
• What do political parties blame for wider social problems?

  Family breakdown
• What does social policy refer to?

  Plans and actions of government agencies
• Which agencies are involved in social policy?

  Health and social services, schools
• How do laws relate to social policies?

  Laws provide the framework for policies
• What are some social policies aimed directly at families?

  Marriage and divorce laws
• How does compulsory education policy affect families?

  It allows parents to work while children are in school
• What is the impact of 'care in the community' policy on families?

  Families often care for sick and elderly members
• What do taxation policies affect regarding families?

  Income and available services for families
• What social policies should be researched?

  • Working tax credits
  • Child benefit
  • National minimum wage
  • Maternity and paternity leave
  • Same-sex marriage
  • Same-sex adoption laws
• What is the role of government actions and policies on families?

  They can profoundly affect families and members
• What was the policy of Nazi Family Policy regarding care?

  Care for sick and elderly at home
• What is the purpose of voluntary carers in family care?

  To relieve pressure off the NHS
• What healthcare system is available to British citizens?

  Free, universal healthcare from the NHS
• What is the current status of free education in the UK?

  Compulsory up to school leaving age
• How long is statutory maternity pay currently paid?

  39 weeks
• What is the purpose of parenting classes mandated by courts?

  To help parents of truants
• What is the New Right's view on the traditional nuclear family?

  It is self-reliant and capable
• What do the New Right argue about social policies and family dependency?

  They encourage a dependency culture
• Who is Charles Murray?

  A critic of welfare benefits
• What do 'perverse incentives' refer to in Murray's argument?

  Welfare rewards irresponsible behavior
• What do feminists argue about the New Right's views?

  They justify a return to patriarchy
• What are the criticisms of the New Right's views on social policy?

  • Justifies traditional patriarchal family
  • Assumes nuclear family is natural
  • Cutting benefits increases poverty
  • Ignores supportive policies for families
• What is the age of consent in the UK?

  16 years old
• What is the minimum hourly rate set under Tony Blair's government?

  £7.83 for over 25s
• What is the purpose of working tax credits?

  To support low-wage working families
• What is the duty of parents regarding children's education?

  Ensure attendance until age 18
• What is Donzelot's view on social policy?

  It is a form of state control over families
• How do Marxists and Feminists criticize Donzelot's view?

  They question who benefits from surveillance
• What is the role of social workers according to Donzelot?

  Agents of social control through surveillance
• What is the New Right's stance on state interference in family life?

  Less interference is better
• What do the New Right believe about welfare benefits?

  They weaken family self-reliance
• What is the New Right's view on single-parent families?

  They see them as dependent on the state
• What do Abbott and Wallace argue about cutting benefits?

  It increases poverty and dependency
• What is the concept of 'dependency culture'?

  Reliance on state support instead of self-reliance
• What is the significance of the term 'surveillance' in social policy?

  It refers to monitoring families by authorities
• How do social policies impact family dynamics?

  They can either support or undermine families
• What is a consequence of fathers relying on state support for their children?

  Some fathers abandon family responsibilities
• How does the growth of lone parent families affect boys?

  More boys grow up without male role models