Family policy

• Functionalist


  These sociologist:

  - see policies as helping families perform their FUNCTIONS more effectively and make life better for their members.

  E.g. NHS and Education
• Fletcher


  This FUNCTIONALIST:

  Argued the introduction of health (NHS), education and housing policies leads to a welfare state which supports the family.
• Criticism of functionalism


  Criticism:

  - Assumes ALL members of the family benefit from the policies - e.g. feminists argue that men benefit more than women.

  - Assumes 'march of progress'.

  - Also over-exaggerates CONSENSUS
• New Right


  These sociologist:

  Influenced the government policies. They see the traditional nuclear family as norm, and policies should AVOID undermining the nuclear family.

  E.g. Benefits for lone-parents.
• Murray


  A New Right sociologist:

  - benefits for single parents and unemployed as PERVERCE INCENTIVES.

  -Creates a benefit culture.

  - Causes underachievement

  - lack of male role models
• Criticism of New Right

  Criticism:

  - Feminist like Oakley argue that the NR assume it based on biology, instead it is patriarchal creating gender inequality.

  - There is no evidence that children in lone-parent families are more likely to be delinquent.

  - Evidence that other family types are unstable can be challenged.

  - Poverty can cause break up, not lack of marriage commitment.
• Conservative government


  Thatcher government 1979-1997

  - Ban promotion of homosexuality (Section 28)

  - Set up the Child Support Agency

  - Reduced welfare payments
• New Labour government


  Blair government 1997-2000

  - Support nuclear family

  - BUT also have policies that support other family types.

  - recognize that women work - longer maternity leave, working tax credit, the New Deal.

  - Adoption for same-sex couples.
• Coalition government


  Conservative and Liberal democrat (2010-2015)

  - Moderniser and traditionalist in conflict

  - Intro Same-Sex marriage (opposed by traditionalist)

  - Austerity policies (opposed by modernisers)

  - Working, conventional families with children have been worse off with some policies.
• Feminism


  Argue that policies reflect patriarchy.

  - Maternity leave - Women have longer reflects the expressive role.

  - Child benefit - paid to mother, assumes greater responsibility.

  - Childcare policies - e.g. 15 hours free nursery places, is not enough for women to work full time.

  - Self-fulfilling prophecy
• Hilary Land


  This sociologist:

  - argues that family policies assume that the idea family is the PATRIARCHAL nuclear family with the male provider and female homemaker and their dependent children.
• Criticism of feminism


  Criticism

  - Not all policies are directed at maintaining PATRIARCHY.

  - Equal Pay act, Sex Discrimination Laws, Lesbian marriage, benefits for lone mothers, equal rights to divorce can be said to challenge patriarchy.

  - Some policies improve the position of women. (Liberal agues there is positive)
• Donzelot


  This sociologists argues that social policies are used as a form of SURVEILLANCE or social control. Postmodern view of a surveillance society.

  - Health Visitor, social worker and doctors all monitor and watch families.

  - Working class are more likely to be seen as problems and policed more.
• Marxist


  These SOCIOLOGISTS argue that any policies serve CAPITALISM.

  - E.g. Pensions maintain old workers at the cheapest cost.

  - NHS keeps workers healthy enough to go to work.

  - WW2 Nurseries opened so women could be a reserve army of labour
• Thatcher


  Leader of the CONSERVATIVE government during 1970s-80S.

  Policies reinforce traditional family values

  - E.g. SECTION 28 - policy banned homosexual material

  - est Child Support Agency

  - Childrens Act 1989

  - Married Men Tax Allowance
• Blair


  Leader of the LABOUR government 1997.

  Policies support range of family types including the Nuclear Family

  - E.g. policies include Civil Partnership Act

  - adoption rights for same sex couples

  - Parenting Orders

  - longer maternity leave
• Cameron/Clegg


  Leaders of the COALITION government 2010-2015

  - E.g. policies include austerity, Marriage Equality Act
• Beveridge Report


  This POLICY:

  - Introduced the welfare state

  e.g. Housing and NHS

  IMPACT:

  - Some functions of the family is supported by the welfare state (see Fletcher/functionalist)
• Divorce Reform Act


  This POLICY:

  Made divorce easier.

  Allowed women to file for divorce without having to prove adultery, abuse or abandonment

  Recently updated to 'No fault divorce'

  IMPACT:

  - Led to increase in family diversity, such as lone parents, and reconstituted families. Increase in women independence
• Legalisation of the Contraceptive pill 1967

  This POLICY:

  - Legal for women who where unmarried to obtain the contraceptive pill.

  IMPACT:

  -Lead to women freedom over their bodies

  - Lead to a decline in birth rate
• Education Act


  This POLICY:

  - Children legally attend school until 18 (Education, training or employment)

  IMPACT:

  - Children are now economically dependent on their parents.