Social Policy And The Family

Question 1

Abortion law

Answer 1

Gives women over reproduction and could be linked to reduced family size feminist would think this is good as women are more equal and have more control over the family. New right would say it’s bad decreased nuclear family

Question 2

Gay marriage 2014

Answer 2

Gay couples have the same rights as heterosexual couples this had encouraged same sex families. New right would say this is bad as it’s a decrease in nuclear family’s. Functionalist bad as doesn’t do the 4 functions of the family

Question 3

Divorce and custody laws

Answer 3

Made divorce quicker and easier cost to delaware’s means single parent families are headed by women some sociologists would suggest that as cause an increase in single parent families
Feminist good matriarchal family’s women more control
New right bad decrease in nuclear family and other family types

Question 4

Domestic violence laws

Answer 4

Women and children no longer have to enjoy domestic violence encourage marital breakdown and more single parent families
Feminist good women have more equality can escape abuse relationships
New right bad more divorce and decrease in nuclear family

Question 5

Free NHS

Answer 5

Resulted in reduction of extended families as free healthcare may cover the families role of looking after elderly relatives
Marxists would like this as it makes everyone equal capitalism doesn’t benefit
Feminist would like free services for women’s health like reproductive care, empowers women

Question 6

Maternity and paternity leave

Answer 6

Both men and women have some paid leave to try and ensure children have best starts in life
Feminists would say these reinforce patriarchy as they are biased in favor of women carrying out and expressive role and they encourage nuclear families New right would say this is good as it encourages families