Examples of social policies affecting family Flashcards
Define Social Policies
Social policies refers to the plans , programmes and laws with regards to health and social services, welfare system, schools and other public bodies with the aim of tackling social issues
Divorce Law Reform Act 1969, who it was introduced by, how it effected family life and society and what would sociological perspectives say?
Made divorce easier by simplifying the grounds for divorce - irretrievable differences so no need for witnesses or a court case to get a divorce.
introduced by Labour
Created FD, way out of abusive or empty shell marriage, can be emotionally difficult for all family members, Many divorce women live in poverty
Feminists and PM are in favour bc it gives individuals choice and it frees women from patriarchal marriage.
NR are against it as it destroys the NF and therefore threatens social stability
Sure Start, who it was introduced by, how it effected family life and society and what would sociological perspectives say?
To bring about the best start in life for every child’s lives by bringing together early education, childcare, health and family support. Provided parenting classes, advice drop in sessions, a one of Maternity grant to help towards the cost of a new baby.
Introduced by New Labour
Aim was to help families financially to get them out of poverty by encouraging parents back into work. Also to give advice to parents with ‘problem’ children.
NR against
Donzelot againt
Child Trust Fund
A savings account for all babies born from Sep 2002. It is set up by the gov once the parents register the birth and the gov adds £250. The money stays in the account and accumulates interest so the total amount increases. When the child reaches the age 18 they can withdraw the money.
Introduced by New Labour
Aim to get children out of poverty - a long term policy - gives 18 year old sums of money they can use for uni, etc.
Marxism-against-empty gesture policy -w/c children still lose out -m/c parents can afford to add money each month so when their child is 18 they’ll have a substantial amount. W/c won’t have that much.
NR against
Maternity and Paternity Leave
ML- paid time off work for new mothers. They can have up to 52 weeks -introduced by Labour 1975. protected the health of mothers and babies, lessened the financial burden of having a baby and ensured a period free from excessive work
PL-paid time off work for new fathers - 2 weeks. Prior to this, fathers get no time off work at all -New Labour 1997. March of progress to gender roles equality as now fathers get to spend time with the new born to bond as a family -it acknowledges the man’s responsibility in childcare
Extension to PL- new dads, of babies born after April 2011, with partners who are returning to work, have the right to up to 26 weeks paternity Leave.Coalition Gov 2010. Even greater March of Progress View as mothers and fathers can now share responsibilities for childcare 50/50
Child Tax Credit
Tax credits are payments from the governments given to parents. They pay tax, the the gov gives them some of it back so, technically, people with childcare pay less tax and so have more disposable income to spend on their family. To qualify, a parent must be responsible for at least 1 child or young person who normally lives with them and earns under a certain amount per year.
Introduced by New Labour
Families on lower income have more money so improves their standards of living.
Marxism against- empty social gesture policy
NR- against people should be self-sufficient and not rely on the gov to help them financially take care of their children
Feminists in favour-helps single mothers who work
Benefit cuts
Coalition gov policy (since 2010) is to ‘make work pay’ by decreasing the amount of benefit payments people get in hopes this will encourage them to get a job. All benefits have been reduced -child benefits, housing benefits, disability benefits, unemployment benefits. Also instead of getting any one of these different benefits , people now just get one benefit called Universal Credit
Making poor people even poorer
NR in favour
Marxists and Feminists against
Civil Partnership Act 2005 and Marriage Act 2004
Allows the registration of Civil Partnerships between same sex couples, homosexual couples can also adopt children. The aim of the law is to protect the rights of either party in line with heterosexual married couples. New Labour -Increased equality and social justice
Re-define marriage to be a legal union between two people thus creating full equality -Coalition -Created fd
F&PM in favour
NR against
New Deal
aims to help people get a job if they are unemployed by providing by providing them with training if they lack employability skills. Introduced by New Labour to help people get out of poverty by helping them get jobs
Marxists against- empty gesture
