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Social Policy and Family (Functionalism (There's a "march of…
Social Policy and Family
Functionalism
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FLETCHER - Policies help the family to perform its functions- socializing children, caring for the welfare of its members, etc.
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However, Feminists argue that policies only benefit men. Sometimes policies can make family life worse
However, Marxists argue that policies can also reverse progress. There's no march of progress
DONZELOT: Conflict view. Social workers, health visitors and doctors use their knowledge to control and change families
New Right
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Feminists criticise New Right views as an attempt to justify the patriarchal nuclear family that oppresses women
They criticize many welfare policies for undermining the family's self-reliance by providing generous benefits. MURRAY
This results in a "dependency culture" where individuals depend on the state to support their families
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They favour cutting welfare spending, especially universal benefits. This will give fathers more incentive to provide for their families. They believe that the less families depend on the state, the better
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Feminism
Social policies often shapeor define family in ways that benefit men and maintain patriarchy, disadvantaging women and maintaining their subordination
LAND - Policies often assume the patriarchal family to be the norm. As a result, policies act as a self-fulfilling prophecy, actually helping to reproduce this family type
However, not all policies maintain patriarchy- laws against rape in marriage, equal pay, benefits for lone parents
Tax and benefits policies (women can't claim social security benefits), childcare (women can't work fulltime) care for the sick and elderly (women are the ones who have to care of them)
Although meternity leave policies might seem to benefit women, they actualy reinforce patriarchy
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Gender regimes
DREW - Social policies in different countries can either encourage or discourage gender equality in the family
FAMILISTIC GENDER REGIMES. They assume a traditional gender division between male breadwinner and female housewife
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State vs. market
Since the global recession began in 2008, cutbacks in gov spending throughout Europe have led to pressure on women to take more repsonsibility for caring for family members
There's also been a trend towards neoliberal welfare policies, in which individuals are encouraged to use the market to meet their needs (private care for the elderly)