...Examine the ways in which social policies affect family life A social policy is a law implemented by the government to benefit society. Most social policies will affect families in some way or another. There are 2 types of policies, direct and indirect. A direct policy has a direct and immediate affect on the family, and an indirect policy is other policies not directly aimed at families but may still have an affect on them. Social policies have attempted to promote the nuclear family, such as those introduced by New Labour and the Conservative government, although New Labour are more accepting of family diversity. The New Rights ideology has influenced government policies. They argue that policies have weakened the nuclear family leading to family diversity and more problems for family members. The New Right have the view that social policies should avoid doing anything that might undermine the 'natural' and self reliant nuclear family and will often criticise many government policies for undermining the family by providing over generous welfare benefits e.g. council housing for teenage mothers. The New Right argues that social policies like the legalization of abortion and the availability of the contraceptive pill is the beginning of family decline. They also state that equal opportunities and equal pay lows distract women from their 'natural' career as a mother. The New Right feel that policies like this is causing a decline in the traditional nuclear family, resulting...
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...Examine the ways in which laws and social policies affect family life. There are many different ways in which laws and social policies affect family life. Laws and social policies affect different cultures. In Russia a new policy was introduced in 1917, the new Communist Government wanted to destroy the patriarchal family structure; the patriarchal family structure was seen as an obstacle to true communism and socialism. The Russian Government changed these laws to make abortion and divorce easier for men and women, equal rights for women was also introduced as well as communal nurseries that were provided by the state. The goal of the changed laws was to break down the traditional family in order to give people more freedom and to reduce the inequalities that were produced between the rich and poor. As a result of this the traditional family did break down, there was a rapid increase in divorce and abortions, as people began to search for the ‘ideal’ freedom and equality. The Government realised that things were beginning to become chaotic so there was a policy change. The government took drastic action by tightening divorce laws and making abortion illegal. The government also said that parents who had more children were awarded allowances. China’s population control policy was introduced under the intention to reduce the population in an over-crowded country but also to save society. China’s workplaces planning communities’ controlled the women employees menstrual cycle and...
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...Sociologist and political groups all have different views of social policies, some believe that they are a good way of achieving something and others see them as bad because they may only support one view point and not others. To start of here is the definition of a social policy; it is an action, plan or programme that the government puts in place that aims to deal with a problem or achieve a goal. These social policies are mainly based on laws, which provide the framework for agencies to follow. The first social policy that will affect the family is marriage. There are different laws in place to discourage certain behaviour inside marriages, a few examples of these would be; marriages must be monogamous where only one person can be married to one person at one time, in the UK it is illegal to marry or have children with your brother/sister but is legal to marry and have children with your first cousin, etc. Laws like these would have an effect on a family as having an affair on your partner is illegal and therefore if this happens then the marriage may breakdown and may end up in a divorce. Divorce is another social policy that will have an effect on the family. Divorce was granted legal in 1857 but it was very hard to get one up until the late 1960’s which made divorce become more popular as it was easier to declare. However, a divorce can only be granted if one of the following applies; Adultery – when one partner has a sexual relationship with another whilst in a marriage...
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...domestic division of labour in many different ways. Parsons describes the division of labour in the traditional nuclear family in terms of an expressive role and an instrumental role. However, this traditional arrangement may have changed as families have changed, and many feminists use the term ‘dual burden’ to describe the woman’s role in the family today. Item 2B Government policies and laws include tax and benefit policies as well as legislation such as relating to divorce and marriage. Sociologists have different views on the impact of these policies and laws on families. For example, feminists argue that social policies assume that the ideal family is a patriarchal nuclear family, and that government policies and laws therefore favour this sort of family. On the other hand, the New Right argue that the benefit system undermines traditional nuclear families by actively encouraging lone parents. 0 6 Explain what is meant by the ‘dual burden’ (Item 2A). (2 marks) 0 7 Explain the difference between the expressive role and the instrumental role (Item 2A). (4 marks) 0 8 Suggest three ways in which the differences between children and adults are becoming less clear in society today. (6 marks) 0 9 Examine the reasons for, and the effects of, changes in family size over the past 100 years or so. (24 marks) 1 0 Using material from Item 2B and elsewhere, assess sociological views of the impact of government policies and laws on family life. Item 2A Over the past 40 years...
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...Examine the ways in which social policies and laws may influence families and households. Some sociologists have suggested that social policy has caused families to become more diverse while others disagree. Social policies are the laws and practices put in place by the government that effect social issues, in this case the family. For example, in the 1930’s the Nazi government in Germany wanted to encourage Aryan families and put in place policies that involved sterilising certain groups to prevent them from having children. More recently in China they have a one child policy, if individuals have more than one child the government have put in place a series of penalties try and control their population. In the UK sociologists are interested in if social policy has caused families to become more diverse or different. One way in which families have become more diverse is an increase in same sex families. This is lesbian and gay couples living with children. Social policies that can be linked to this type of family diversity are laws to do with homosexuality in the UK. For example, in 1967 male homosexuality was legalised in the UK this has made homosexuality more socially accepted; this would allow gay couples to start a recognised family. However, other social policies have made same sex families even more accepted. For example, in 2002 the UK adoption laws were changed to allow gay couples to adopt children and create a family unit. Furthermore, in 2004 the Civil...
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...AQA Unit 1 Families & Households specimen | (a) Explain what is meant by .primary socialisation. (Item 2A, line 7). (2 marks)(b) Suggest two ways in which childhood has become .a specially protected and privileged time of life. (Item 2A, lines 4 . 5). (4 marks) (c) Suggest three reasons for the increase in the divorce rate since 1969. (6 marks) | (d) Examine the ways in which social policies and laws may influence families and households. (24 marks) | (e) Using material from Item 2B and elsewhere, assess the view that it no longer makes sense to talk about the .patriarchal family. (Item 2B, lines 1 . 2). (24 marks) | Jan 09 | (a) Explain what is meant by the ‘expressive role’ (Item 2A, line 5). (2 marks)(b) Suggest two ways in which ‘family life may have a harmful effect on women’(Item 2A, lines 6 – 7). (4 marks)(c) Suggest three reasons for the decrease in the death rate since 1900. (6 marks) | (d) Examine the ways in which childhood can be said to be socially constructed. (24 marks) | (e) Using material from Item 2B and elsewhere, assess the view that the nuclear family is no longer the norm. (24 marks) | Jun 09 | 0 6 Explain the difference between a family and a household (Item 2A). (4 marks)0 7 Suggest two reasons why lone-parent families are more likely to be headed by a female. (4 marks)0 8 Suggest two reasons why there has been an increase in one-person households(Item 2A, line 3). (4 marks) | 0 9 Examine the reasons for changes in birth rates and family size since...
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...Examine the ways in which the government policies and laws may affect the nature and extent of family diversity. Government policies and laws are put in place to uphold moral values of society and force people to take responsibility over themselves and who else they may be responsible for e.g. children. Although the government see its policies as being able to produce the ‘ideal’ nuclear family where the man works and the woman looks after the children, the policies today fail to take into account the changes in society and the different types of families that are becoming more common in society. The government’s policies affect different family types in different ways e.g. the government policies and laws benefit married couples in more ways that cohabiting couples and single parent families as they make divorce harder as well as being benefiting married couple financially as they can claim more tax allowances. This policy only benefits married couples as the government sees the nuclear family as the ideal family and therefore benefits this certain family type through its laws and policies. Functionalists see society built on harmony and consensus and free from major conflicts. They see the state as acting in the interests of society as a whole and its social policies as being for the good of all. Functionalists see policies as helping families to perform functions more effectively to make life better for their members. Ronald Fletcher believes the introduction of health...
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...Examine the ways in which the government policies and laws may affect the nature and extent of family diversity. Government policies and laws are put in place to uphold moral values of society and force people to take responsibility over themselves and who else they may be responsible for e.g. children. Although the government see its policies as being able to produce the ‘ideal’ nuclear family where the man works and the woman looks after the children, the policies today fail to take into account the changes in society and the different types of families that are becoming more common in society. The government’s policies affect different family types in different ways e.g. the government policies and laws benefit married couples in more ways that cohabiting couples and single parent families as they make divorce harder as well as being benefiting married couple financially as they can claim more tax allowances. This policy only benefits married couples as the government sees the nuclear family as the ideal family and therefore benefits this certain family type through its laws and policies. Functionalists see society built on harmony and consensus and free from major conflicts. They see the state as acting in the interests of society as a whole and its social policies as being for the good of all. Functionalists see policies as helping families to perform functions more effectively to make life better for their members. Ronald Fletcher believes the introduction of health...
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...Families and Households past Questions Short Questions Explain what is meant by primary socialisation ( 2 marks) Explain what is meant by the expressive role( 2 Marks) Explain what is meant by serial monogamy(2 Marks) Explain what is meant by net migration(2 marks) Suggest two ways in which family life could have a harmful effect upon women(4 Marks) Explain the difference between a family and a household(4 Marks) Suggest two reasons why lone parent families are likely to be head by a female(4 Marks) Suggest two reasons why there has been an increase in one person households(4 Marks) Explain the difference between the birth rate and the fertility rate(4 marks) Suggest two reasons why women might delay having children(4 Marks) Suggest two ways in which the position of children could be said to have improved over the last 100 years(4 Marks) Suggest two reasons why there has been an increase in cohabitation(4 Marks) Suggest two reasons why someone might migrate to the united kingdom apart from employment.(4 Marks) Explain what is meant by the social construction of childhood(2 marks) Suggest two ways in which government policies may shape the experiences of childhood today(4 Marks) Suggest three reasons for the decrease in the death rate since 1900(6 Marks) Identify three ways in which childhood may not be a positive experience for some children(6 Marks) Identify three ways in which greater ethnic diversity has contributed to...
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...Examine the ways in which Government policies and laws affect the nature and extent of family diversity Government policies and laws are put in place to uphold moral values of society and force people to take responsibility themselves. Social policy refers to the actions of government agencies such as the welfare system. Most policies affect families in one way or another, some are aimed directly at families, whilst other policies aren’t but still have an impact on families. One way in which family diversity diverse is by an increase in same sex families. This is gay and lesbian couples living together with children. A social policy that can be linked to this type of family diversity is that in 1967 male homosexuality was legalised and this made homosexuals feel socially accepted, eventually allowing gay individuals to start a family. There was also other policies that made same sex families even more accepted. For example, in 2002 UK adoptions laws were changed. The laws meant that gay couples were now able to adopt and have a family of their own. Additionally, in 2004 the Civil Partnership was introduced. This meant that gay people could now have a type of marriage if they felt they had stability, commitment and happiness to starting a family. All of these policies have a link to the increase in same sex families. Feminist sociologist were really happy with these policy changes. Feminist believes that society is patriarchal, that men dominate and exploit women. Feminist...
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...Examine the ways in which laws and social policies affect family life Some sociologists suggest that laws and social policies create a more diverse family, while others disagree. Social policies are the actions, plans and programmes which the government have brought in to aim to deal with a problem or to achieve a goal, for example raising levels of education. These social policies are usually based on laws, which provide the framework for agencies to operate. The functionalists see society as built on harmony and shared values, and free from major conflicts. They see the state as acting in the interest of society as a whole and its social policies as being for the good of all. Functionalists see policies as helping families to perform their functions more effectively and make life better for them. They argue that health, education and housing policies have led to the development of the welfare state which supports the family effectively. For example with the National Health Service, the family is able to take care of its members when they are sick. This especially benefits the working class as they would, otherwise, not be able to afford healthcare, therefore getting themselves in a lot of debt or even dying. Also the functionalists are in favour of minimum wage as it means that there is a smaller chance of exploitation, especially to the working class. No employer is allowed to pay anyone under minimum wage. Minimum wage can be claimed to increase the living standards of the...
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...Government policies and laws include tax, benefits, divorce and marriage. * Feminist- social policies assume the ideal family is a patriarchal nuclear family, so social policies favour this type of family. * New right- argue benefit systems undermine traditional nuclear families by actively encouraging lone parents. Item 2B: * Government policies and laws include tax, benefits, divorce and marriage. * Feminist- social policies assume the ideal family is a patriarchal nuclear family, so social policies favour this type of family. * New right- argue benefit systems undermine traditional nuclear families by actively encouraging lone parents. Examine the ways in which laws and social policies affect family life (24marks) Laws and social policies can affect the family in a number of ways, it can differ from being beneficial to the families to having negative effects. Some examples of policies are china’s one child policy, the legalisation of abortion in 1967 and the divorce reform act in 1969. China’s one child policy was introduced in 1979, the policy was design to limit the number of children parents can have, this allowed most couples to only legally have one child, if couples had more than one child they would have to pay a fine and would not get all the benefits such as free child and health care that families who only had one child would. Women were strongly encouraged and pressured to be sterilised after having their first child. This policy was introduced...
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...Examine the way in which laws and social policies affect family life From the 19th Century onwards the government have introduced different social policies in attempt to shape family life in Britain, to make it better for all family members, rather than only focusing on the traditional patriarchal Nuclear family. In 1963 the equal Pay Act was introduced, meaning that pay based on sex was abolished and men and women became more equal. This social policy created a higher standard of living as both partners would become wage earners, meaning the family was financially better off and could afford to meet all of the family’s basic needs and requirements. Women became more powerful and gained more authority due to this social policy, and therefore males were less dominant causing them to help out more within the home, which created more gender equality. A functionalist would agree with this social policy as they believe that it helps the family run more efficiently and makes family life better for all; however it does not follow Talcott Parsons (1955) as he argued that women should remain at home due to their biological differences, as they’re naturally suited to the housewife role. Feminists are also in favour, as they believe that men and women should be equals and receive the same rights as men. Especially radical feminists, who believe that women entering paid work is a great way for women to escape men, by women becoming wage earners they are no longer financially dependent...
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...immigrating to Canada ever since the early 1800’s, but only in the past seventy years have we seen drastic changes in domestic immigration law and policy. Most notably Canada has received recognition for its Immigration Act of 1976 as well as our current Immigration and Refugee Protection Act from 2002. Canadian immigration is still evolving today and currently Canada is known as a country with a broad immigration policy that is reflected in the countries ethnic diversity. Policy goals, selectivity and trade are three prominent aspects of Canadian immigration that I have found compelling journal articles written on. Although every aspect of immigration has its differences, they all similarly share a united end common goal of further benefiting Canada. Economics is a similarity that plays a large role in each aspect and article, from strategically selecting immigrants that will quickly economically assimilate to using immigration to increase trade flow from foreign countries. Although in contrast – the article that I have found to obtain the most compelling argument on Canadian immigration policy is the one that disagrees with using immigration solely for economic means, it implicitly states that immigration policy should not solely be seen in economic benefits but that it should be seen as primarily a cultural, social and humanitarian policy opposed to an economic one. In the first article I examined ‘Selectivity and Immigration in Canada’ it discusses the importance of Canada carefully...
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...crimes, stopping the war on drugs altogether is not the solution. Although stopping the drug war may seem efficient for stopping the incarceration of young blacks in the present, it does not guarantee that these same people will not commit other crimes. The cost for stopping the drug war is allowing drug usage and distribution to run rampant which can cause the society and the neighborhoods around the areas to become unsafe. Alexander discusses how there is no way around this issue and dismantling the system of mass incarceration is the only resolution; however if these poor neighborhoods were funded with government money, drug abuse can potentially become lower or even be stopped. Alexander is also discussing how a handful of reforms cannot be a solution to the problem. She argues that all the financial grants that are given to police departments for drug arrests and racial profiling should be halted. She believes that by halting the funding and supplies of mass incarceration are only scratching the surface of social reform. She believes there must be a change in the culture of law enforcement. By stopping mass incarceration Alexander believes that, that is the first step in racial integration. The costs of stopping mass incarceration are high for the government and prison systems. By stopping their reimbursements, drug related crimes may...
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