...Legislating the Family: Heterosexist Bias in Social Welfare Policy Frameworks Amy Lind University of Virginia Studies in Women and Gender Program This article addresses the effects of heterosexist bias in social welfare policy frameworks on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) individuals and families in the United States. It discusses the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA), the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), federal definitions of family and household, and stereotypes about LGBT individuals. It argues that poor LGBT individuals and families lack full citizen rights and access to needed social services as a result of these explicit and implicit biases. Key words: Welfare reform; family policy; civil rights; gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (LGBT); heterosexism Welfare reform is fundamentally about family policy—about promoting and privileging particular kinds of families, and about penalizing and stigmatizing others. (Cahill and Jones 2002: 1). Two pieces of legislation were passed in 1996 that set an important tone for family policy in the United States: The 1996 Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA), an act that expanded welfare-to-work programs throughout the country, restricted people’s access to public assistance, and crystallized the broader restructuring of public-private boundaries; and the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which defines marriage as a legal union between a man...
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...provides a combined outline to report these issues and to examine the effect of different policies, such as fiscal and monetary fiscal policies, on the total behavior of individuals. This paper will define specific terms of macroeconomics and how specific examples of economic activities affect government, households, and businesses. The following terms explains the fundamentals of macroeconomics. Gross domestic product (GDP) is the aggregate of the selling prices, or values, of all finished goods and services made in the economy during a specific time frame and calculates the rate of economic activity inside the country. Real GDP is an evaluation of the value of production the economy creates. Nominal GDP is the current market value of all products and services created in the United States. Unemployment rate is the proportionate rate of the amount of individuals unemployed but are still looking for work. Inflation rate is the percentage of the rise or fall of rates on prices. Interest rate is the yearly amount charged by the lender on a product or service for the borrower to acquire the loan and allow the lender to get a return on the investment. Economic activities such as purchasing groceries, a massive layoff of employees, and the decrease in taxes are associated to distribution, production, exchange, and expenditure of goods and services. Every one of these activities may affect businesses, households, and government. When consumers purchase groceries they...
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...referring to the alternating periods of expansion and recession of the economy. GDP is the most significant method used to gauge the state of the economy measuring total production and total income. When GDP is measured, a dollar amount of all goods and services is calculated to eliminate confusion. If the quantity of all goods and services were just measured, then the result would misinterpret the findings. GDP is an important tool to analyze total income a household or firm spends on particular items, giving insight into the state of the economy. By measuring GDP, the government can examine where money goes; is it being deposited, is the money being spent on taxes, or is it being invested into stocks and bonds. The flow of money from households into the financial system make it possible for firms to borrow, which is crucial to any economy. GDP measures the business cycle as well as it can, but cannot be the only determining factor; inflation and unemployment play vital roles as well. The term Fiscal Policy refers to changes in federal taxes and purchases that are intended to achieve macroeconomic objectives. Fiscal Policy is the government’s way of offsetting times of instability in the business cycle. Congress and the president conduct changes in the way money is being spent and how taxes will be handled. The government is employing fiscal policy when they make decisions on the goods or services they purchase or the taxes they collect. The impact of any change in the government’s...
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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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...Abstract This paper reviews the interrelationship among family structure, patterns of single parent decision making and deviant behavior among adolescents. It reviews family income and non custodial parent involvement. Patterns of family decision making and family structure both have a significant effect on adolescent deviance behavior. Data on the child’s behavior, the child’s life at home, and parental relation with the child are collected through self reports. Understanding the family structure can have an important role in the intervention and prevention of deviant behavior in the child. More parental monitoring was associated with less delinquency in a single parent household. We examine family structure including two parent families, single mother families, single father families, and stepfamilies. This paper addresses the implications of different theories and findings designed to reduce deviance. Single Parent Home Effect on Adolescence Deviant behavior among youth has increased in the United States (Steinberg, 1987). According to the Nature and Meaning of Deviance (2008), Deviant behavior is described as actions or behaviors that violate cultural norms including enacted rules and social norms. This paper will examine the social factors associated with deviant behavior among juveniles. It will explore the correlation, if any, between single parent homes and the rise in deviant behavior in juveniles. The two...
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...across the United States? Child poverty and its misfortunes By: Racheal H. Caldwell A Paper Presented in Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements of CST5006 – Survey of Research Methodology Racheal H. Caldwell May 2013 Address: 22-04 Collier Ave Apt 5H Far Rockaway NY 11691 Phone: 347-985-6673 Email: racheal_caldwell@yahoo.com Instructor: Kathy Blaydes Abstract The United States economy is going through a phenomenon described as “globalization” of an economy or global competition. A very large part of global competition involves the development of a strong labor force, and this development starts with the nurturing of children (Ozawa, Soo, & Kim 2004). A great challenge lives in the United States and by international standards; the United States has the highest proportion of children in low income families than any other industrialized country (Smeeding, Torrey, & Rain 2002). It is believed that the reasoning for children’s income status being relatively low is due to adults and the elderly. In the proposed research, we will: examine the published research on child poverty that impacts social and behavioral studies and define the scope and nature of problem and discuss strategies for solving this problem. Qualitative and quantitative research approaches will be used to examine diverse perspectives and factors associated with child poverty. In addition, we will summarize key findings of research and different methods used to examine the issue. Table...
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...This measure is the number of unemployed workers divided by the total civilian labor force. As of June the “official” unemployment rate stands at 9.2%. What is rarely reported, and even more ominous, is the underemployment rate. This rate includes two groups that are not considered in the official unemployment rate: discouraged and part-time workers (U.S. Congress, 1986, p. 12). As of June 2011 the U-6 rate stands at 16.2%. There is evidence that underemployment is pervasive in the United States. Some types can be measured more easily than others but it is apparent that many Americans are underemployed (Meyer, 1985, p.20) and because that figure is rarely ever spoken about, the costs, hardships and extent of unemployment are not fully reported or understood (U.S. Congress, 1986, p. 12). Recent studies suggest that unemployment has become a serious social issue in the United States due to the under-reported unemployment rate, the increase in financial hardship to American families, and the policies of government. Body When we do not include individuals who are discouraged, or those working part-time in the “official” unemployment rate, we are underreporting the true extent of unemployment, and creating various socioeconomic problems. Exactly what is the definition of underemployment? In developing a definition of underemployment three elements are essential and should be considered: hours worked, skill utilization and compensation. If a person is willing, available, and able to...
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...society wants. Therefore, choices must be made on what to produce, how to produce, and for whom to produce. Choices must also be made at a personal level. There never seems to be enough money or time to have or to do everything one wants. Economics is a way of thinking, a science of making choices. Economists examine the decision-making processes of individuals, businesses, markets, governments, and economies as a whole. An understanding of economic principles helps people to: • Consider not only the short-term effects of a decision, but also its long-term effects and possible unintended consequences; • See the connections between personal self-interest and societal goals in order to understand how individual and social choices are made in the context of an economy; • Analyze how social goals, such as freedom, efficiency, and equity, impact public policies. Because of increasing interdependence and globalization, everyone in the United States needs to be aware of the issues in the global economy, their role in that system, and be able to respond to changes so that they can effectively maintain or raise their standard of living. Goal Statements for the Economics Standards: • Students will learn to examine the relationship between costs and benefits, and the values associated with them. • Students will understand economic principles, whole economies, and the interactions between different types of economies to...
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...Version 1.0 General Certificate of Education January 2012 Sociology SCLY1 1191 Culture and Identity; Families and Households; Wealth, Poverty and Welfare Unit 1 Mark Scheme Mark schemes are prepared by the Principal Examiner and considered, together with the relevant questions, by a panel of subject teachers. This mark scheme includes any amendments made at the standardisation meeting attended by all examiners and is the scheme which was used by them in this examination. The standardisation meeting ensures that the mark scheme covers the students’ responses to questions and that every examiner understands and applies it in the same correct way. As preparation for the standardisation meeting each examiner analyses a number of students’ scripts: alternative answers not already covered by the mark scheme are discussed at the meeting and legislated for. If, after this meeting, examiners encounter unusual answers which have not been discussed at the meeting they are required to refer these to the Principal Examiner. It must be stressed that a mark scheme is a working document, in many cases further developed and expanded on the basis of students’ reactions to a particular paper. Assumptions about future mark schemes on the basis of one year’s document should be avoided; whilst the guiding principles of assessment remain constant, details will change, depending on the content of a particular examination paper. Further copies of this Mark Scheme are available to download from the...
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...that social policy can have an important influence on family life, they hold different views about what kinds of effects it has and whether these are desirable. In this essay I will examine a range of different sociological views or perspectives on the impact of social policy on families. The actions and policies of governments can sometimes have profound effects on families and their members. Cross-cultural examples from different societies and historical periods can show us some of the more extreme ways in which the state’s policies can affect family life, this can help us to see the relationship between families and social policies in a new light. One particularly striking attempt by the state to shape family life was the policy set by China on controlling the population, and birth rate within the country. Chinas population control policy has discouraged couples from having more than one child. According to Adrian Wilson (1985) the policy is supervised by the workplace family planning committees; women must seek their permission to try and become pregnant, and there is often a waiting list and a quota for each factory. Couples who comply with the policy get extra benefits, such as free child healthcare and higher tax allowances. Functionalists see society as 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 good for all. Functionalist’s see policies as helping...
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...Specification) Past Exam Questions Although June 2016 will be a new specification and exam structure much of the material you have learnt in families and households applies to the new exam. Below are examples of questions taken from the old exam papers that you should practice writing plans for as they are still relevant. However there are a few key differences: * The question you will answer will be worth 20 marks not 24 marks. * You will have 30 minutes to write a 20 mark answer. * The essays will consist 4 paragraphs and a conclusion containing new information. How to use this document: * Use the extract from the mark scheme and examiners’ advice to create essay plans of the questions. * You may not have heard of all of the concepts in the mark scheme but there should be at least some that are familiar to you. * The examiner’s advice usually outlines bad, moderate and good answers to the question so pick out the ways in which you can achieve top band and incorporate this into your plan. June 2015 Examine the impact of government policies and laws on family life. [24 marks] From the mark scheme: Concepts and issues such as the following may appear: patriarchy; familism; surveillance; ideological control; gender regimes; marital breakdown; family structure; family diversity; welfare dependency; underclass; reserve army of labour Policies/laws on abortion; divorce; contraception; reproductive technology; marriage; adoption; pensions; benefits; taxes; education; childcare;...
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...study set out to assess the sex-differentiated impact of divorce, which are normally part of family life. These include changes in residences by children to accommodate changes in their relationships with their parents, changes in parental employment, remarriage, and stepfamily formation still; most children suffer from declining father. The study found that such changes affect individuals within households differently. Some lose while others gain. Women, however, have been singled out as the most affected. Changes in marriage and divorce laws and policies have further affected individual household members in different ways that is, children live in many different family forms, but the most common pattern is that they live with their mothers and have less contact with their fathers. As a result, a common alteration that children are forced to make is an adjustment to life without their father at home. Most children share time between the mother's household and the father's household, and families are creative in finding ways for children to maintain meaningful relationships with both parents involvement after divorce The conflicts over ownership of children and property has resulted to the formulation of the domestic relations Bill, marriage and divorce laws, which has led to the consolidation of the laws previously scattered amongst six different statutes. These reforms, which radically alter the way marriage is perceived and conducted, now explicitly provide for one...
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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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...POVERTY AMONG AFRICAN AMERICANS AND WHITES IN LATIN 2 AMERICA AND THE UNITED STATES Abstract This article reports the relationship between the United States immigrant and African- American families presented by Daniel Patrick Moynihan in his 1965 report to President Lyndon Johnson remains the most popular folk model for explaining success, failure and mutual aid in “poverty.” The Moynihan model is an enduring part of popular discourses on race, intensified by contemporary immigrant successes narratives. The participant observation research among homeless African-American families and Latin American families had participated in a small business creation in New York City which happened more than three years ago. When kinship norms are typically American, it is said that certain immigrant family forms are more suited to mutual aid crisis. The African- American family is misused as being dysfunctional. It gives an overview of the demographic of “poverty” and how these demographics have changed since 1979. It also considers trends that have emerged over the last few decades and reconsiders the successes and failures of past public policy. It also identifies the growing feminization of poverty and the growing Latino population as the primary challenges currently facing public makers...
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...in Revolutionary Iran The Quran, Sura 4, verse 38 states, “Men are the managers of the affairs of women for that God has preferred in bounty one of them over another…and those you fear may be rebellious admonish; banish them to their couches, and beat them”. To develop and understand social change, it is crucial to examine the central structures and organizations within a given society. Through examining family structure, the state, and religion, geared with a specific focus on gender, a basic set of followed societal governing rules and values become apparent. Each of these societal structures are interrelated, working together to permit as well as restrict the agency of women in revolutionary Iranian society. For the development of successful social change to take place, it must arise through gender conflict, class conflict, and political action. Each social structure such as, family structure, state relations, and religion, is located within the larger context of a national structure, meaning the examples previously mentioned are subject to larger regional and global influences and changes. Due to this reasoning, it is important to examine evolving economic development and political change to understand women’s status within Iranian revolutionary societies and furthermore, their changing roles within the traditional family structure, Islam, education, and the work force. Through an analysis of class location, policy restructuring, and changing gender roles, the progressive...
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