New Right Family (30 mark)

New right intro

traditional nuclear family as best type of family, political ideology associated with conservative political party that actively introduced social policies which align with their view on family,

debate amongst sociologists about view of family

Murray poorly socialised children

see traditional marriage and family life as breaking down Murray argue consequences poorly socialised children tend to underachieve at school, rise in crime, increasing numbers of lone mothers depend on welfare state rather than supportd by fathers of their children. Muraay blames the government for supporting change in families through welfare benefits.

favour women performing a traditional expressive role

favour traditional nuclear family over other types of family

lone parent families nailing the myths

a home office report no difference in crime rates between youngsters from lone parent and two parent families - social justice policy group in 2007 youth crime linked range of factors, all which likely be found in two parent families e.g inadequate parenting.

Dennis and Erdos

Agree with murray, children raised by single mothers on average lower educational attainment, poorer health than children of two parent families. Argue boys grow up without learning adulthood involves responbility for wife and children, so into develop irresponsible anti-social young men,

Golden age critcism

look at golden age ignores issues of family that existed then, famil diveristy more obvious and law changes have allowed for some changes.

feminists law changes

favour law changes and more lone parent families mean women breaking away from patriarchal relationships, better have happier families. Feminists Argue media fuelled public concerns about lone mother families an attempt to encoruage women back into traditional gender roles

strenghts of new right

Influential in influencing government thinking e.g married couples tax allowance,

emphasies positive aspects of nuclear family and functionalsits would agree with new right that nuclear family best

weaknesses - poverty

children more likely to experience poverty than those raised by two parents so underachievement at school/more delinquency more to do with poverty rather than type of family live in

victim blaming

vicitim blaming explanation blames people for their own poverty

marixsts against NR

reflecting capitalist ideology and feminists see NR as erodiung hard-won rights of women to control cotracepetion and gain more equality in home.

non-traditional nuclear families

varied experiences, who value their relationship

conclusion

NR offer explanation of benefits of traditional nuclear family and potential impact of welfare benefits, not useful as ignores issues in families quite simplisitic view of family when reality more complex. NR accused of claims not backed up by evidence