Donzelot: The Policing of Families

Donzelot sees policy as a form of state control over families (this view is shared by feminists and Marxists).

He uses Foucalt's concept of surveillance. Foucalt doesn't just see power as something held by the government, he believes it is diffused throughout society and found within all relationships. He sees professionals (e.g. doctors and social workers) as exercising power over their clients by using their expert knowledge.

Donzelot applies these ideas to the family. He looked at how professionals observe and monitor families. He argues that social workers, health visitors and doctors use their knowledge to control and change families. Donzelot refers to this as 'the policing of families'.

Surveillance is not targeted equally on all social classes. Those in the working-class are more likely to be…