Family Policies (Theoretical views)

Question 1

What do Functionalists think about family policies?

Answer 1

• The state acts in the best interests of society
• Fletcher: things like the NHS, universal credit, compulsory education all help

Question 2

What is the evaluation of the Functionalist view of family policies?

Answer 2

• Marxism: caring face of capitalism

Question 3

What is the Feminist view of family policies? (Radical + Liberal)

Answer 3

• Radical: “maintains women’s subordinate position” (e.g. 30 hrs free childcare per week)
• Liberal: benefits everyone, especially women (e.g. shared parental leave, Divorce Reform Act)

Question 4

What is the New Right’s perspective on family policies?

Answer 4

• They encourage the traditional nuclear family and remove the dependency culture
• Almond: divorce and gay marriage undermines TNF (think SERS)

Question 5

What is the Marxist view of family policies?

Answer 5

• “caring face of capitalism”: facade to make it seem like the state cares
• e.g. NHS get workers back quickly, pensions aren’t actually used

Question 6

What is the criticism of the Marxist view of family policies?

Answer 6

• Some policies are genuinely helpful like compulsory education

Question 7

What does Donzelot say about family policies?

Answer 7

• The state “polices the family through agencies of control”
• e.g. Police, Social workers

Question 8

What is the criticism of Donzelot’s view of family policies?

Answer 8

• Marxists and Feminists: Donzelot doesn’t identify the benefits