Social Policy and the FamilySocial Policy and the Family

Why do you think that the family is so central Why do you think that the family is so central to government policy? to government policy?

David Morgan (Sociology Review)David Morgan (Sociology Review)

- Concerns about levels of government Concerns about levels of government expenditure and the extent of state provisionexpenditure and the extent of state provision

- Long term unemploymentLong term unemployment

- Rising divorce ratesRising divorce rates

- Increasing crimeIncreasing crime

- Economic growth Economic growth

The social engineering of societyThe social engineering of society

This refers to the attempt to mould society to This refers to the attempt to mould society to reflect your interestsreflect your interests

E.g. A ruler/government who believed people E.g. A ruler/government who believed people should take responsibility for themselves would should take responsibility for themselves would have few or low benefits, or may have no welfare have few or low benefits, or may have no welfare state at all.state at all.

The policies within the society would reflect the The policies within the society would reflect the dominant ideology dominant ideology

What ideology on the family is being What ideology on the family is being reinforced from the following policies?reinforced from the following policies?

A lack of quality affordable nursery provisionA lack of quality affordable nursery provision A lack of state funded elderly care homesA lack of state funded elderly care homes Financial responsibilities of fathers reinforced Financial responsibilities of fathers reinforced

through Child Support Agencythrough Child Support Agency Lack of benefit entitlement for a woman living with Lack of benefit entitlement for a woman living with

a mana man Recognition of same sex marriages (Civil Recognition of same sex marriages (Civil

partnerships)partnerships) Changes in the Divorce Law making it quicker an Changes in the Divorce Law making it quicker an

cheapercheaper

Present/Future policyPresent/Future policy Extended paternity pay and leaveExtended paternity pay and leave Flexible maternity pay and leave with ability Flexible maternity pay and leave with ability

to share between mother and fatherto share between mother and father 1 million new childcare places 1 million new childcare places 15 hours per week free nursery education 15 hours per week free nursery education same-sex "civil partnerships" granted the same-sex "civil partnerships" granted the

same tax advantages enjoyed by married same tax advantages enjoyed by married couples couples

In Britain there has been conflict between Left and In Britain there has been conflict between Left and Right ideas.Right ideas.

New RightNew Right (Conservative) had very traditional (Conservative) had very traditional views on what the family should be. (Nuclear) views on what the family should be. (Nuclear)

However they believed that the family should However they believed that the family should support its members with little interference from support its members with little interference from the state.the state.

The The LeftLeft (Traditional Labour) support the (Traditional Labour) support the nuclear family as the ideal but they nuclear family as the ideal but they recognise the value of alternative forms.recognise the value of alternative forms.

Left wing policies are much more focussed Left wing policies are much more focussed on supporting family members through the on supporting family members through the welfare state.welfare state.

Essay questionEssay question

How far does social policy directed at How far does social policy directed at the family, reflect and support the the family, reflect and support the traditional view of the family?traditional view of the family?

(24 marks)(24 marks)