Theoretical Perspectives on Family Policy | A Level Sociology - Families

Summary

This video explores various theoretical perspectives on family policy, including functionalism, Marxism, and feminism, analyzing how each influences social policy and family structures. It examines how policies have evolved over the past 40 years under different UK governments, from Conservative to New Labour to the Coalition, focusing on issues like gender roles, social inequality, and class. The video highlights key policies such as tax credits, same-sex marriage, and benefits reforms, and discusses their impact on families, particularly in terms of economic austerity and societal expectations.

Takeaways

• 😀 Functionalists view family policy as a way to reinforce traditional family values, such as through tax incentives for married couples.
• 😀 Recent functionalists argue the state should only intervene in families when there is dysfunction, like divorce or domestic violence.
• 😀 Marxists critique social policies as tools that serve the interests of the ruling class and maintain capitalist structures, such as free childcare benefiting employers more than families.
• 😀 Marxists argue that policies like safeguarding allow the state to monitor and control family life, reinforcing ruling class ideologies.
• 😀 Radical feminists see family policy as reinforcing patriarchal structures by maintaining the expectation that women are the primary caregivers.
• 😀 Liberal feminists utilize family policy to promote gender equality, advocating for changes like paid paternity leave and legalizing same-sex marriage.
• 😀 Despite progress, feminists argue that economic austerity disproportionately affects women and children, highlighting ongoing structural inequalities.
• 😀 Conservative governments (e.g., Thatcher and Major) emphasized personal responsibility and introduced policies reinforcing traditional family structures, such as Section 28 restricting the teaching of homosexuality.
• 😀 New Labour under Tony Blair focused on addressing inequalities with policies like working family tax credits, paid paternity leave, and support for same-sex couples.
• 😀 The Coalition government (2010-2015) introduced shared parental leave and same-sex marriage, but also implemented austerity measures that negatively impacted low-income families.
• 😀 The current Conservative government has continued austerity measures and introduced Universal Credit, which consolidates benefits but has resulted in cuts to support for families, especially those on low incomes.

Q & A

What is the main debate in sociology regarding family policy?

The main debate in sociology regarding family policy revolves around whether sociology should inform social policy. This includes questions about whether social policies control individuals by making them conform to societal norms and values, or whether they exploit individuals and reinforce inequality in society.

How do functionalists view the role of social policy in family life?

Functionalists are divided on the use of social policies to control family life. Traditional functionalists, like Parsons, advocate for policies like tax incentives for married couples to reinforce traditional family values. More recent functionalists, however, suggest that state intervention should be minimal, only stepping in when there is dysfunction within the family, such as divorce or domestic violence.

What is the Marxist critique of social policies in relation to the family?

Marxists argue that social policies are designed to serve the needs of the elites and maintain the status quo. They believe that even policies that seem to benefit the working class, such as free childcare, ultimately serve to maintain the capitalist economy by allowing workers to continue working. Marxists also critique the state's role in policing families, with institutions like education and healthcare monitoring how children are socialized into conforming behaviors.

How do feminists approach family policy?

Feminists have different views on family policy. Radical feminists believe social policies reinforce patriarchal norms, such as women being the primary caregivers. Liberal feminists, on the other hand, use the system to push for greater gender equality, advocating for policies that provide women with more opportunities, especially in employment and family life. Some policies, such as the legalization of abortion and contraception, have helped improve women's rights.

What role did the Conservative government under Margaret Thatcher play in shaping family policy?

Under Margaret Thatcher, the Conservative government focused on personal responsibility for families, emphasizing traditional family values. Notable policies included the establishment of the Child Support Agency to ensure absent fathers paid maintenance, and Section 28, which prevented schools from promoting homosexuality as a valid family relationship.

How did New Labour, under Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, approach family policy?

New Labour introduced policies that focused on reducing inequality and supporting families in need. These included measures like working family and child tax credits, paid paternity leave, and support for same-sex couples, such as the Civil Partnership Act and the Adoption and Children Act. They also focused on education and social class inequality with initiatives like Sure Start.

What was the impact of the Coalition government on family policy in the UK?

The Coalition government, formed by the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives, adopted more pragmatic family policies, such as shared parental leave and the introduction of same-sex marriage in 2013. However, their policies also placed a greater emphasis on personal responsibility and austerity, which affected low-income and single-parent families, particularly through cuts to welfare benefits and changes to child benefit policies.

What are some criticisms of economic austerity policies on families, particularly women and children?

Critics argue that economic austerity policies, particularly cuts to welfare benefits, have disproportionately harmed women and children. Austerity measures like the benefits cap, two-child limit, and bedroom tax have had a negative impact on low-income and single-parent families, reinforcing existing structural inequalities and exacerbating poverty.

What is the significance of the introduction of universal credit in recent UK family policies?

Universal Credit was introduced as a means-tested benefit to replace multiple other forms of welfare. It was designed to simplify the benefit system but has been criticized for creating financial hardship for low-income families, particularly with its stringent eligibility requirements and delays in payments. The closure of Sure Start centers has also left many families vulnerable.

How has the political landscape in the UK influenced family policies over the last 40 years?

Over the last 40 years, family policies in the UK have shifted based on the ideological stance of the ruling government. Conservative governments, particularly under Thatcher and Major, emphasized traditional values and personal responsibility, while New Labour focused on addressing social inequalities. The Coalition government balanced neo-liberal policies with social programs, and subsequent Conservative governments have leaned toward austerity measures that have had significant implications for families, especially those from lower socio-economic backgrounds.