Families and Households: Politics, Social policy and the Family

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According to Marxist and Feminist writers, what ideology is state policy formed around?
Dominant family ideology
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Define 'Family ideology'
The dominant set of values, beliefs and images about how families are and how they ought to be.
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Define 'cereal packet family'
The stereotype of the ideal family found in the media and advertising. Generally involving first-time married parents and their own natural children with the mother in the expressive role and the father instrumental.
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In terms of love within marriage, how does the 'cereal packet family' portray this?
Within the cereal packet family is the idea of romantic love as well at love for children (maternal and paternal) and that the family is a loving and caring institution.
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What do Feminist writers Barrett and McIntosh (1982) argue about the stereotype found in family ideology?
That it is harmful, patriarchal and anti-social.
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Why do Barrett and McIntosh say the cereal packet family is Patriarchal?
It involves the exploitation of women through triple shift. Women also remain disadvantaged in paid work because of their assumed or actual responsibilities for housework, childcare and looking after dependants e.g. elderly.
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Which sex has more work leave for childcare?
Maternity leave is more generous. encouraging traditional gendered division of labour.
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Why do Barett and McIntosh say the 'cereal packet family' is harmful?
Because it suggests other family types are deviant or a threat to normal family life. Policy appeals to 'strengthen the family' condemns those living outside this family type e.g. gay couples, lone parents. Also rose-tinted ignores exploitation;abuse
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What, from a feminist perspective, does the 'cereal packet family' overlook (Barrett and McIntosh)
The way that women are isolated at home with children or the difficulty in paid-work combined with childcare; could lead to psychological damage.
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In what ways might lone parents and non-conformist households face discrimination? (Barrett and McIntosh)
Discrimination by social workers, teachers, police and magistrates. they face higher risk of labelling and stereotyping.
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Why do Barett and McIntosh say the 'cereal packet family' is anti-social?
It devalues life outside of family. social life is centred around family; difficult for those not in conventional family type to participate. e.g. school organisation difficult for lone parent families, family holiday packages. You and them mentality
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What does Fox Harding (1995) point out? (housing policy)
Housing policy favours married couples with single parents receiving the worst social housing. Houses are designed for nuclear families not larger household groups or people living alone.
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What are the two main types of social policy specifically aimed at families?
1. Those aimed at providing direct material support for families e.g. cash benefits, tax credits, child benefits, CMS. 2. Those to help parents balance demands of paid employment and family life and support children e.g. maternity/paternity leave.
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According to functionalist and Marxist perspectives how does social policy strengthen traditional families?
By promoting self-reliance rather than reliance on the state, certain tax breaks for married couples.
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Summarise (social policy) the view of the conservative party from 1980s to 1990s
New Right Approach was very influential. social policy was aimed at strengthening nuclear families. Child Support Agency was established in 1993 to ensure absent fathers took financial responsibility for their children. Cuts in benefits to single mom
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Summarise 1997-2010 Labour Party
Social policy began to recognise growing diversity of family forms; more emphasis on care and development of children than social institutions. 'New Deals' to support lone parents in moving from welfare to employment. National Minimum Wage
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In terms of nursery education. what was changed with labour 1997-2010?
An increase in free childcare and nursery with 3-4 year olds guaranteed five and a half says of nursery education a week.
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What did the Civil Partnership Act come in?
2005
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What social policies took place 2010 onwards in the conservative-liberal democrat coalition?
Family policy took on some New Right characteristics of the 1980s and 90s. Renewed emphasis on the importance of marriage.
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What in the Conservative Partys 2010 manifesto encouraged couples to get married?
Tax benefits to married couples, cuts in welfare spending e.g. childrens services and care for elderly.
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What happened in 2014 (family test)
David Cameron announced in August 2014 that all new government domestic policies would have to pass a family test. Examining impact of policies on family life.
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What happened in 2014 that went against traditional New Right values to do with marriage?
In 2014 same-sex marriage was legalised.
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

Define 'Family ideology'

Back

The dominant set of values, beliefs and images about how families are and how they ought to be.

Card 3

Front

Define 'cereal packet family'

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

In terms of love within marriage, how does the 'cereal packet family' portray this?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

What do Feminist writers Barrett and McIntosh (1982) argue about the stereotype found in family ideology?

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
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