Social Policy

What does social policy mean?

Refer to laws made by the government which aim to improve society or deal with a social policy

Ronald Fletcher

Health, education and housing policies have led to the welfare state which supports the family in completing its functions

What are new right theorists views on social policy?

New right theorists are strong believers that the conventional heterosexual nuclear family which is self sufficient. Therefore believe that social policies have been a negative influence on society, promoting family diversity and the disintegration of society

What are feminist views on social policy?

Feminism sees policies as assuming what a ‘normal family’ is, patriarchal nuclear family with a male breadwinner and female homemaker. And therefore social policies ensure the maintenance of this family type

What are marxists views on social policy?

Marxists see family policy as a way for the ruling class to maintain their capitalist control of society and ensure that the family continues to support capitalism

What are the two types of social policy?

1. Providing material support for the family. Such as cash benefits through tax credits and child benefits

2. Helping parents to balance working life and family life. Policies such as maternity pay, early years childcare and child protection laws

What was the aim of conservative policies? (1980 to 1990s)

The New Right had a lot of influence during this time so the main aim of policies were to strengthen the traditional nuclear family, emphasising the self help and reliance. Reduced welfare payments

What are the 6 conservative policies? (1980 to 1990s)

• Established child support agency (1993)

• Equal rights for illegitimate children

• Children act (1989)

• Married mens tax allowance

• Section 28 (1988 to 2003)

• Back to basics (1990s)

(P) Child support agency (1993)

Summary = Made absent parents (usually fathers) financially responsible for their children

Effect = Encouraged financial accountability but was often criticised for being harsh on low income non resident parents

(P) Equal rights for illegitimate children

Summary = Gave children born outside of marriage the same legal rights as those born within it

Effect = Reduced stigma and legal disadvantages for single parent and non traditional families

(P) Children act (1989)

Summary = Focused on the welfare of the child as the most important factor in family law decisions

Effect = Encourage child centred parenting and affected decisions around custody and care

(P) Married mens tax allowance

Summary = Gave tax benefits to married couples, especially those with a male breadwinner

Effect = Reinforced traditional nuclear family roles and discouraged cohabitation or non married partnerships

(P) Section 28 (1988 to 2003)

Summary = Banned local authorities and schools from ‘promoting homosexuality’

Effect = Marginalised LGBTQ+ families and discouraged inclusive education and support

(P) Back to basics (1990s)

Summary = Conservative campaign promoting traditional family values like marriage, discipline and heterosexual households

Effect = Supported nuclear family ideals, criticised single parents and non traditional lifestyles

What was the aim of New Labour policies? (1997 to 2010)

Silva and Smart → Favoured dual earning families but also emphasises the heterosexual nuclear family and for parents to take responsibility for their children. Some support for alternative family types

What are the 7 New Labour policies? (1997 to 2010)

• Parenting orders

• Longer maternity leave

• Working families tax credit

• The new deal

• Civil partnerships

• Unmarried couples adoption

• Sexuality discrimination laws

(P) Parenting orders

Summary = Court ordered parenting classes for parents whose children misbehaved or truanted

Effect = Aimed to increase parental responsibility, especially in working class families, but seen by some as state overreach

(P) Longer maternity leave

Summary = Extended the time women could take of work after having a baby

Effect = Supported mothers in balancing work and childcare, but may reinforce the idea that women should be primary caregivers

(P) Working families tax credit

Summary = Financial support for low income families where at least one adult worked

Effect = Encouraged employment and helped reduce child poverty, supporting dual earner families

(P) The new deal

Summary = Aimed to get unemployed people (including young people and single parents) into work or training

Effect = Encouraged financial independence but sometimes pressured parents, especially single mothers, into low paid jobs

(P) Civil partnerships (2004)

Summary = Gave same sex couples legal recognition similar to marriage

Effect = Promoted equality for LGBTQ+ families and normalised diverse family structures

(P) Unmarried couples adoption

Summary = Allowed unmarried (including same sex) couples to adopt children jointly

Effect = Expanded the definition of family and gave more children access to permanent homes

(P) Sexuality discrimination laws

Summary = Made it illegal to discriminate based on sexual orientation in work, education and services

Effect = Supported LGBTQ+ families and protected parents and children from prejudice

What was the aim of Coalition policies? (2010 onwards)

Inconsistent policies on the family due to conflict between two camps of MP’s

Hayton: 1. Modernists who accept diversity 2. Traditionalists who favour a New Right view

What are the 3 Coalition policies? (2010 onwards)

• Removed couples penalty

• Shared parental leave

• Equal marriage act (2013)

(P) Removed couples penalty

Summary = Previously couples (especially cohabiting or married ones) could receive less in benefits than if they lived separately. Removing this penalty made benefit treatment fairer

Effect = Encouraged cohabitation and marriage without penalising couples financially

(P) Shared parental leave

Summary = Allows parents to split up to 50 weeks of leave and 37 weeks of pay after the birth or adoption of a child

Effect = Promotes gender equality in parenting by giving fathers more involvement and reducing pressure on mothers

(P) Equal marriage act (2013)

Summary = Legalised same sex marriage in England and Wales

Effect = Gave LGBTQ+ couples the same legal and social recognition as heterosexual couples, supporting diverse family types

Name the 3 other important policies..

• Beverage report (1942)

• Divorce reform act (1969)

• Legalisation of contraceptive pill (1967)

(P) Beverage report (1942)

Summary = Introduced the welfare state including housing benefit and the NHS

Effect = This led to the removal of some of the functions of the family to the welfare state

(P) Divorce reform act (1969)

Summary = Made divorce easier to obtain. Allowed women to file for divorce without her husband having to prove adultery, abuse or abandonment

Effect = Increase in family diversity, especially single parent families and reconstituted families. Increased women’s independence

(P) Legalisation of contraceptive pill (1967)

Summary = Made it legal for women who were unmarried to obtain the contraceptive pill

Effect = Women had control over their bodies and how many children they had, this led to a decline in the birth rate