Perspectives on family diversity and social policy

What is the Functionalist view of social policy and the family?

Give an example of a policy that functionalists favour

Functionalists see society as based on consensus and shared values. They believe the state acts in the interests of society as a whole and social policies help families perform their functions more effectively.
Fletcher argues welfare policies (health, education, housing) created a welfare state that supports families.

What are criticisms of the Functionalist view of social policy?

Assumes all family members benefit equally from policies.
• Feminists argue policies often benefit men more than women.
• Marxists argue policies may harm poor families (e.g., welfare cuts).
• Assumes a “march of progress” in family life

What is Donzelot’s view of social policy and the family?

Donzelot (1977) argues social policy is a form of state control over families. Using Michel Foucault’s idea of surveillance, professionals (social workers, doctors) monitor and regulate families.
This is called “the policing of families.” For example: Parenting Orders forcing parents of truants or offenders to attend parenting classes

What is the New Right view of family and social policy?

The New Right support the traditional nuclear family (married heterosexual couple with male breadwinner and female homemaker).
They argue social policies encouraging family diversity (divorce, lone parents, same-sex families) create social problems like crime and welfare dependency.

What is Murray argument about welfare?

Murray argues welfare benefits create perverse incentives and a dependency culture.
Examples:
• Benefits encourage lone parenthood.
• Boys grow up without fathers → higher crime.
• Fathers abandon responsibility because the state provides.

What solutions does the New Right propose for family problems?

Cut welfare benefits
• Reduce taxes
• Encourage self-reliance
• Promote marriage and nuclear families
• Make absent fathers financially responsible

What are criticisms of the New Right view?

• Feminists: promotes patriarchal nuclear family.

• Nuclear family is socially constructed, not “natural”.

• Abbott & Wallace: cutting benefits increases poverty.

• Ignores policies that support nuclear families.

What is the Feminist view of social policy and the family?

Feminists see society as patriarchal. Social policies maintain women’s subordinate position and reinforce the gender division of labour in families.