Theoretical Perspectives on Family Policy
Theoretical perspectives on family policy:
Part of a bigger debate in sociology as to whether or not sociology should be used to inform social policy
Ideological concerns over the use of social policy to control population and reinforce inequalities in society
Political approaches to family policy- from Conservative government through New Labour to current government
Functionalist perspectives on family policy:
Functionalists such as Parsons, advocated reinforcing the nuclear family through social policies, such as tax incentives for married people
However, functionalists also suggest limited state involvement in the running of the family- this is not necessary if society is functioning correctly
Traditional values are in opposition to some of the more progressive policies of recent years- such as same-sex marriage
Marxist perspectives on family policy:
Critical of the role of the state in creating social policy, suggesting that they are designed to serve the needs of the elites in society- e.g. childcare policies will enable more people to work
The state can effectively ‘police the family’ according to Donezelot, by intervening where they believe that the family is not socialising children correctly
State policy is based upon the ruling class ideologies and those who do not conform face sanctions
Feminist perspectives on family policy:
The state reinforces patriarchal control by introducing policies that are aimed at women in the role of primary carer- e.g. child benefit paid to mother initially
Liberal feminists, however, would suggest that state policy can be used to change the role of women in society- e.g. Equal Pay Act, Divorce reform and legislation on abortion
State policy has helped women in need when leaving violent partners and provided support through benefits to take child poverty
Conservative family policies (1979-1997):
The Child Support Agency, 1993- established to ensure absent fathers paid maintenance for the upbringing of their children (this included chasing down fathers where there was no longer contact, etc.)
Section 28- The government introduced a rule, in 1988, that prevented local government from ‘promoting’ homosexuality and included the provision that schools could not teach ‘the acceptability of homosexuality as a pretended family relationship’
Back to Basics- As prime minister, John Major urged a ‘back to basics’ approach, which he put forward as traditional family values
New Labour Family Policies 1997-2010:
Working family and child tax credits
Paid paternity leave
Civil Partnership Act (2002)
Equal age of consent for same-sex relationships
Repeal of Section 28 2003
Sure Start and Education Maintenance Allowance
Coalition policies (2010-15):
Shared parental leave- partners could split the maternity leave allowance between themselves to help bond with the child and allow women to go back to work earlier
Same-sex marriages (2013)- partners of the same sex could marry- however this was only passed with cross-party support
Crime and education policies targeted parents in anti-social behaviours or withdrawing students from school during term time
Austerity policies, such as benefit caps, 2 child limit for benefits and a bedroom tax, impacted low-wage and lone-parent families
Conservative policies 2015 onwards:
Universal Credit- paid to one member of the family to replace other forms of benefit
Closure of Sure Start centres (from 2010 but expanded post-2015) left children and families vulnerable
Freeze on working-age benefits, further cuts to benefits cap to 23,000 per annum
Theoretical perspectives on family policy:
Part of a bigger debate in sociology as to whether or not sociology should be used to inform social policy
Ideological concerns over the use of social policy to control population and reinforce inequalities in society
Political approaches to family policy- from Conservative government through New Labour to current government
Functionalist perspectives on family policy:
Functionalists such as Parsons, advocated reinforcing the nuclear family through social policies, such as tax incentives for married people
However, functionalists also suggest limited state involvement in the running of the family- this is not necessary if society is functioning correctly
Traditional values are in opposition to some of the more progressive policies of recent years- such as same-sex marriage
Marxist perspectives on family policy:
Critical of the role of the state in creating social policy, suggesting that they are designed to serve the needs of the elites in society- e.g. childcare policies will enable more people to work
The state can effectively ‘police the family’ according to Donezelot, by intervening where they believe that the family is not socialising children correctly
State policy is based upon the ruling class ideologies and those who do not conform face sanctions
Feminist perspectives on family policy:
The state reinforces patriarchal control by introducing policies that are aimed at women in the role of primary carer- e.g. child benefit paid to mother initially
Liberal feminists, however, would suggest that state policy can be used to change the role of women in society- e.g. Equal Pay Act, Divorce reform and legislation on abortion
State policy has helped women in need when leaving violent partners and provided support through benefits to take child poverty
Conservative family policies (1979-1997):
The Child Support Agency, 1993- established to ensure absent fathers paid maintenance for the upbringing of their children (this included chasing down fathers where there was no longer contact, etc.)
Section 28- The government introduced a rule, in 1988, that prevented local government from ‘promoting’ homosexuality and included the provision that schools could not teach ‘the acceptability of homosexuality as a pretended family relationship’
Back to Basics- As prime minister, John Major urged a ‘back to basics’ approach, which he put forward as traditional family values
New Labour Family Policies 1997-2010:
Working family and child tax credits
Paid paternity leave
Civil Partnership Act (2002)
Equal age of consent for same-sex relationships
Repeal of Section 28 2003
Sure Start and Education Maintenance Allowance
Coalition policies (2010-15):
Shared parental leave- partners could split the maternity leave allowance between themselves to help bond with the child and allow women to go back to work earlier
Same-sex marriages (2013)- partners of the same sex could marry- however this was only passed with cross-party support
Crime and education policies targeted parents in anti-social behaviours or withdrawing students from school during term time
Austerity policies, such as benefit caps, 2 child limit for benefits and a bedroom tax, impacted low-wage and lone-parent families
Conservative policies 2015 onwards:
Universal Credit- paid to one member of the family to replace other forms of benefit
Closure of Sure Start centres (from 2010 but expanded post-2015) left children and families vulnerable
Freeze on working-age benefits, further cuts to benefits cap to 23,000 per annum
