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Theories of Social Policy - Coggle Diagram
Theories of Social Policy
Functionalism
Fletcher (1966) - argues that introducing health, education and housing policies after the industrial revolution has caused the development of a welfare state, which supports the family in performing its functions more effectively.
Evaluations
Donzelot (1977)
- (Postmodernists')
Social policies are a way to police and control families. Social and health workers act to collect information and monitor poor families. Poor families are seen as a ‘problem’, must be controlled, and reprogrammed
It assumes that all members of the family benefit equally.
It assumes that there is a ‘march of progress, with social policies steadily making family life better and better.
Marxists argue that policies can also turn the clock back and reverse the progress that has been made. E.g. cutting welfare benefits to poor families.
Right Realism
Murry (1984/ 1990)
Argues that the welfare benefits offer ‘perverse incentives’, that is they reward irresponsibility or anti-social behaviour.
Almond (2006)
Argues that as divorce has been made easier to access, it undermines the idea that marriage is a lifelong commitment between a man and a woman.
Introducing civil partnerships gives off the message that the state no longer sees heterosexual marriage is no longer superior to other domestic set-ups.
Tax laws discriminate against controversial families with a sole breadwinner, they cannot transfer the non-working partner's tax allowances to the working part, meaning they tend to pay more tax than dual-earner couples, each of whom has a tax allowance.
Left Realism
New Labour
Their policies favoured the kind of dual-earner neo-conventional family described by Robert Chester. E.g. the new deal, helping lone parents return to work.
Evaluations
Marxism
Social policies do not benefit the working class in society is in conflict, social policies reflect the interests of capitalism. And has three functions:
2.
Maintain the labour force - NHS, cheap for employers and keeps workers healthy.
3.
Prevent revolution/ change - stops the working class revolting against inequality
1.
Ideology and the welfare state - make the system look like it cares for the poor when it doesn't.
Evaluations
Social policies do not benefit the working class in society
Society is in conflict, and social policies reflect the interests of capitalism
Feminism
Land (1978)
This assumption informs policy and pushes people into nuclear relationships - self-fulfilling prophecy
Governments and sociologists assume the ideal family is the nuclear family.
Evaluations
. Tax/ benefits
- assumes husbands are wage earners and wives are dependent.
. Childcare
- expensive, makes it difficult for women to full-time
. Care for the elderly
- middle-age women expected to support elderly.
. Maternity leave
- women get more than fathers as they are expected to do the main childcare duties.