Social policies

• What do social policies refer to in the context of family life?

  Social policies refer to measures made by the government to solve social problems or regulate family life.
• Why are social policies considered important in sociology?

  They help to understand how society influences the structure of the family.
• What is the common view of the family in society?

  The family is seen as the bedrock of a strong and stable society.
• What do major political parties believe about the family?

  All major political parties have expressed similar views on strengthening the family unit.
• What are the two main types of social policies aimed at families?


  1. Policies providing direct material support for families.
  2. Policies helping parents balance the demands of paid employment and family life.
• Can social policies affect families in ways other than direct support?

  Yes, most social policies affect families in some way.
• What are some examples of social policies that affect families?

  • Divorce law
  • Adoption
  • Compulsory education
  • Maternity allowance
• What was the aim of the Welfare State established in 1945?


  To eliminate social problems such as disease, squalor, ignorance, and idleness.
• How did the Welfare State affect families?

  Families could have fewer children and live longer due to better health care.
• What was the impact of the contraceptive pill legalized in 1961 for married women and in 1967 for all?


  It allowed families to have fewer children and made it easier for men and women to have infidelities.
• What did the Divorce Reform Act of 1969 allow?


  It allowed couples to get a divorce if their marriage had broken down.
• What does the Children Act of 1989 address?


  It ensures children's welfare is taken into account in court and determines parental custody.
• What does the Marital Rape Act of 1991 establish?


  It makes rape within a marriage prosecutable, making relationships safer for both men and women.
• What is the purpose of the Child Support Agency established in 1993?


  To ensure parents are looking after their children properly and providing adequate care.
• What do Working Tax Credits (1999) provide for families?


  They give benefits to working-class people over 16 who work more than 16 hours a week and need help looking after someone.
• What do Child Tax Credits (2003) offer families?


  They provide support for families with children based on their income.
• How do social policies contribute to the increasing number of family types?

  • They allow for more diverse family structures.
  • They promote equality in family roles.
  • They support various family arrangements.
• What is the perspective of Functionalists on family policy?

  Functionalists see the state acting in the interests of society as a whole and social policies as beneficial for families.
• What does Ronald Fletcher argue about the welfare state?

  He argues that the welfare state supports families in performing their functions more effectively.
• What is a criticism of the Functionalist perspective on social policies?

  Feminists argue that policies often benefit men at the expense of women.
• How do Marxists view social policies in relation to family life?

  Marxists argue that policies can sometimes turn back progress previously made for families.
• What do New Right thinkers criticize about government policies?

  They criticize policies that undermine traditional family values.
• According to Charles Murray, what has caused the development of an underclass?


  The state has become over-generous with welfare benefits.
• What do New Right thinkers believe about the impact of welfare benefits on family structures?

  They believe benefits encourage irresponsible behavior, such as fathers abandoning their families.
• How do New Right thinkers view council housing?

  They argue that it promotes teenage pregnancy and undermines marriage.
• What is the New Right's stance on lone-parent families?

  They argue that benefits encourage lone-parent families, which they view negatively.
• What are the criticisms of New Right views on family policy?

  • They attempt to justify a return to traditional patriarchal family structures.
  • They wrongly assume the patriarchal nuclear family is natural rather than socially constructed.
  • Cutting benefits could drive poor families into deeper poverty.
• What do feminists argue about New Right views on family policy?

  Feminists argue that New Right views support a patriarchal family structure that subordinates women.
• How do social policies differ in more equal societies according to Drew?

  In more equal societies, policies treat husbands and wives as equally responsible for income-earning and childcare.
• What is the New Labour's approach to family policy?

  New Labour supports intervention in family matters to promote equality and support diverse family structures.
• What is the significance of the Additional Paternity Pay introduced in 2011?


  It allows mothers to share maternity leave with fathers, promoting equality in childcare responsibilities.
• What does the Marriage Tax Allowance (2015) provide for couples?


  It allows married couples to receive a tax allowance if one pays basic income tax.
• What are the implications of social policies on family types?

  • They allow for more diverse family structures.
  • They promote equality in family roles.
  • They support various family arrangements.
• What do New Right views advocate regarding the family structure?

  They advocate a return to the traditional patriarchal family.
• What assumption do New Right views make about the patriarchal nuclear family?

  They wrongly assume it is a natural rather than socially constructed entity.
• What is a consequence of cutting benefits according to New Right thinkers?

  It would drive many poor families into deeper poverty.
• What are the main criticisms of existing government policies by the New Right?


  • They undermine traditional family values.
  • They encourage irresponsible and antisocial behavior.
  • They promote dependency on state support.
• Who is a notable thinker associated with New Right views?

  Charles Murray
• What does the New Right believe about state support for families?

  They believe it encourages irresponsible behavior, such as fathers abandoning their families.
• How does the New Right view council housing in relation to family structures?

  They believe it promotes teenage pregnancy and undermines marriage.