Family and social policy

• Examples of policies

  • Social security
  • Healthcare
  • Housing
  • Education
  • Family
  • Law and order
  • Equal pay
  • Divorce reform act
  • Abortion
• Functionalism


  Policies help family to perform their functions properly
• Marxism


  One view: free education, healthcare, working class has a better quality of life

  Alternative view: Private healthcare/education is superior, state pensions are too low
• Feminism


  Mixed views: Supports benefits for SPF's and laws against domestic violence

  BUT

  Against maternity leave/length of paternity leave
• New right


  Critical of welfare state

  Weakens family self reliance, creates dependency culture