4.2.8
Government Policies Post-WW2
Changes to Social Policy on the Family (WW2 Onwards)
Changes to Social Policy on the Family (WW2 Onwards)
The family is regarded as offering stability for individuals and children. Conversely, family breakdown is seen as leading to problems in society. British Governments are therefore widely active in devising family policy.
The Welfare State
The Welfare State
- Introduced in 1948 by the Labour Government, the Welfare State provides benefits for societal members including people who are unemployed, low-income families, people who have disabilities and pregnant women.
- Some benefits are related to income whereas others, such as child-benefit, are universal.
Changes under Thatcher's government
Changes under Thatcher's government
- The New Right perspective was highly influential in Thatcher’s government.
- Policies were intended to encourage nuclear families and self-reliance - reducing dependency on the welfare state.
1989 Children Act
1989 Children Act
- In 1989, the Children Act was introduced, centering on the welfare and protection of children.
- In line with other Conservative policies regarding the family, the act reinforced family responsibility by specifying parental duties for the child.
John Major's Conservative government
John Major's Conservative government
- Under John Major’s Conservative premiership in 1993, the Child Support Agency (CSA) was set up to pursue absent fathers for maintenance payments.
- Major also championed the nuclear family under his ‘Back to Basics’ campaign.
Changes in Social Policy on the Family (1997 Onwards)
Changes in Social Policy on the Family (1997 Onwards)
There was some continuation of New Right ideology under Blair’s leadership. There was a also resurgence of some New Right social policies previously adopted by the Conservatives in the 1980s and 1990s under the 2010 Coalition.
1997-2010: Tony Blair's government
1997-2010: Tony Blair's government
- Dysfunctional families and a lack of male role models in lone-parent families were believed to be contributing to societal problems.
- However, policies under New Labour acknowledged the emergence of modern family types:
- E.g. The New Deal encouraged lone-parent families to return to work, child tax credits were introduced and an extensive programme of free child care came into existence.
- Sure Start evolved, offering support for low-income families with young children.
2010 Coalition government
2010 Coalition government
- Tax benefits were introduced for married couples to encourage more traditional relationships and family types.
- Re-emphasis on self-reliance through public spending cuts on childrens’ services.
- David Cameron introduced a grass-roots approach called the ‘Troubled Families Programme’ targeted at reducing youth crime, poor behaviour and discouraging truanting.
2015 Conservative government
2015 Conservative government
- The Conservative government has been criticised for its policy of austerity to cut public spending.
- The policy is said to be responsible for cuts in spending on services affecting the family such as schools and healthcare systems, increasing the numbers of children into poverty.
Criticism of state intervention
Criticism of state intervention
- However, some have been critical of state interference in family life.
- Donzelot argues that social policies are in fact regulating and controlling individuals and their families. Less affluent families are unfairly identified as being more problematic and consequently have more measures exerted upon them.
- Feminists also suggest that most social policies are developed on the assumption that men are the breadwinners. The introduction of Equal Pay laws are used to challenge this outlook.
1Theory & Methods
1.1Sociological Theories
1.2Sociological Methods
2Education with Methods in Context
2.1Role & Function of the Education System
2.2Educational Achievement
2.3Relationships & Processes Within Schools
3Option 1: Culture & Identity
3.1Conceptions of Culture
3.2Identity & Socialisation
3.3Social Identity
3.4Production, Consumption & Globalisation
4Option 1: Families & Households
4.1Families & Households
4.2Changing Patterns
4.3The Symmetrical Family
4.4Children & Childhood
5Option 1: Health
5.1Social Constructions
5.2Social Distribution of Healthcare
5.3Provision & Access to Healthcare
5.4Mental Health
6Option 1: Work, Poverty & Welfare
6.1Poverty & Wealth
7Option 2: Beliefs in Society
7.1Ideology, Science & Religion
7.2Religious Movements
7.3Society & Religion
8Option 2: Global Development
8.1Development, Underdevelopment & Global Inequality
8.2Globalisation & Global Organisations
8.3Aid, Trade, Industrialisation, Urbanisation
9Option 2: The Media
9.1Contemporary Media
9.2Media Representations
10Crime & Deviance
10.1Crime & Society
10.2Social Distribution of Crime
Jump to other topics
1Theory & Methods
1.1Sociological Theories
1.2Sociological Methods
2Education with Methods in Context
2.1Role & Function of the Education System
2.2Educational Achievement
2.3Relationships & Processes Within Schools
3Option 1: Culture & Identity
3.1Conceptions of Culture
3.2Identity & Socialisation
3.3Social Identity
3.4Production, Consumption & Globalisation
4Option 1: Families & Households
4.1Families & Households
4.2Changing Patterns
4.3The Symmetrical Family
4.4Children & Childhood
5Option 1: Health
5.1Social Constructions
5.2Social Distribution of Healthcare
5.3Provision & Access to Healthcare
5.4Mental Health
6Option 1: Work, Poverty & Welfare
6.1Poverty & Wealth
7Option 2: Beliefs in Society
7.1Ideology, Science & Religion
7.2Religious Movements
7.3Society & Religion
8Option 2: Global Development
8.1Development, Underdevelopment & Global Inequality
8.2Globalisation & Global Organisations
8.3Aid, Trade, Industrialisation, Urbanisation
9Option 2: The Media
9.1Contemporary Media
9.2Media Representations
10Crime & Deviance
10.1Crime & Society
10.2Social Distribution of Crime
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