Social Policy Typical Questions Focus: How policies have affected the family. Consider how policies have supported or undermined the nuclear family. Typical Questions Suggest two ways, apart from those mentioned in Item 2A, in which government policies and/or laws may shape the experiences of children today. (4 marks) Examine the ways in which government policies and laws may affect the nature and extent of family diversity. (24 marks) Examine the ways in which social policies and laws may influence families and households. (24 marks) back next

Tip #1 If the question doesn’t specify UK – you can use other society’s to support your points

Tip #2 If a question asks about ‘influence of policy’ think about…. Supporting the traditional nuclear family Creating family diversity Influence on children/childhood Influence on women Influence on the elderly

Tip #3 How a policy can have more than one impact/influence. Policy Support nuclear Produce diversity Extended childcare provision Support dual-earner families Support single parents. Reinforce female independence and careers. Reducing council housing stock Young people living at home longer. Unable to find own place. Young people stay at parents = arguments = stress and family break-up

Tip #4 Think how policies can have two effects (positive/ negative): Childhood Policy Positive impact Negative impact Extended school leaving age Protection of young. Chance to develop skills. Young people ‘trapped’ in childhood – unable to get independence. Laws against working Protection from labour until old enough/not exploited. Dependent on adults for longer – lack independence Age limits on behaviour Preserve innocence, physical well being and morality Children rebel as ‘treated like kids’ Extended special services for children Surveillance of children – protect their innocence Excessive control – stifle ‘free range childhood’ (links to toxic childhood)

Tip #5 Think about theoretical viewpoints and how they describe and explain policies. New Right Feminists Praise policies that support traditional family Nuclear family is ideal – responsible/ moral/self-sufficient Single parents damage society Praise policies that promote diversity Concern for how nuclear family harms women and alternatives benefit them Single parents should be supported Women’s independence should be encouraged Patriarchy is central to nuclear family

So…into the core stuff to focus on

What you need to consider… Policies – government intervening in family life (education, taxation, housing, welfare) Cross-curricular examples China (1 child policy) Soviet Union (abolish family) Nazi Germany (increase birth rate) back next

What you need to consider… Theories on family & policy New Right Pro-nuclear family Anti-single parent family Welfare cutbacks Feminism Anti-nuclear family/pro diversity Women need to escape patriarchal oppression Gender regimes (individualistic better than familistic) back next

Pro-nuclear Anti-nuclear Child benefit paid to mothers (assumption) School hours (assume) that one parent will be at home in the afternoon (this makes it hard for dual earner families) Limited state provision of care for elderly (and encouraging families to look after them) Housing policies (Fox & Harding, 1996) assume that nuclear families get priority over lone-parent families Child support policies have emphasised the importance of absent fathers to pay for children Gradual liberalisation of divorce laws Recognition of gay/lesbian relationships State funding for childcare Domestic violence treated more seriously by police and authorities Also look at the policies of different parties: New Right (1979-1997) New Labour (1997-2010) Coalition (2010 – present) back

Childhood Marriage/Divorce Education policy – compulsory Age limits on sex/alcohol/ smoking/employment Children’s Act (1989) Child Labour Acts (Factories) Promotion of specialist health and social care services Divorce Reform Act (1969) Married Person’s Tax Allowance Welfare support to single parents Think how the above can be seen to have had POSITIVE and NEGATIVE impact on the family back