functionalist perspective on family policy

• functionalist view on social policy - fletcher


  health, education and housing policies led to development of welfare state, helping the family perform its functions more effectively
• evaluation of functionalist view of social policy 


  assumes all family members benefit the same

  assumes march of progress view - not all policies equal progress
• overall functionalist view on social policy


  policy helps families perform their functions more effectively and makes life better for members
• donzelot - evaluation of functionalism


  policy is a form of state power and control

  uses Foucaults concept of surveillance

  argues social workers, doctors, and health workers exercise power over their families to control and change them = 'the policing of families'

  poor families are more likely to be seen as 'problem families' and the causes of crime etc - these are the families targeted for 'improvement"
• criticisms of donzelot


  marxists and feminists criticise donzelot for failing to identify who benefits from such policies of surveillance