1. Social Policy Typical Questions Focus:
How policies have affected the family. Consider how policies have supported or undermined the nuclear family.
Typical Questions
Suggest two ways, apart from those mentioned in Item 2A, in which government policies and/or laws may shape the experiences of children today. (4 marks)
Examine the ways in which government policies and laws may affect the nature and extent of family diversity. (24 marks)
Examine the ways in which social policies and laws may influence families and households. (24 marks)
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2. Tip #1
If the question doesn’t specify UK – you can use other society’s to support your points

3. Tip #2 If a question asks about ‘influence of policy’ think about….
Supporting the traditional nuclear family
Creating family diversity
Influence on children/childhood
Influence on women
Influence on the elderly

4. Tip #3 How a policy can have more than one impact/influence. Policy
Support nuclear
Produce diversity
Extended childcare provision
Support dual-earner families
Support single parents.
Reinforce female independence and careers.
Reducing council housing stock
Young people living at home longer. Unable to find own place.
Young people stay at parents = arguments = stress and family break-up

5. Tip #4
Think how policies can have two effects (positive/ negative): Childhood
Policy
Positive impact
Negative impact
Extended school leaving age
Protection of young.
Chance to develop skills.
Young people ‘trapped’ in childhood – unable to get independence.
Laws against working
Protection from labour until old enough/not exploited.
Dependent on adults for longer – lack independence
Age limits on behaviour
Preserve innocence, physical well being and morality
Children rebel as ‘treated like kids’
Extended special services for children
Surveillance of children – protect their innocence
Excessive control – stifle ‘free range childhood’ (links to toxic childhood)

6. Tip #5
Think about theoretical viewpoints and how they describe and explain policies.
New Right
Feminists
Praise policies that support traditional family
Nuclear family is ideal – responsible/ moral/self-sufficient
Single parents damage society
Praise policies that promote diversity
Concern for how nuclear family harms women and alternatives benefit them
Single parents should be supported
Women’s independence should be encouraged
Patriarchy is central to nuclear family

7. So…into the core stuff to focus on

8. What you need to consider…
Policies – government intervening in family life
(education, taxation, housing, welfare)
Cross-curricular examples
China (1 child policy)
Soviet Union (abolish family)
Nazi Germany (increase birth rate)
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9. What you need to consider…
Theories on family & policy
New Right
Pro-nuclear family
Anti-single parent family
Welfare cutbacks
Feminism
Anti-nuclear family/pro diversity
Women need to escape patriarchal oppression
Gender regimes (individualistic better than familistic)
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10. Pro-nuclear Anti-nuclear
Child benefit paid to mothers (assumption)
School hours (assume) that one parent will be at home in the afternoon (this makes it hard for dual earner families)
Limited state provision of care for elderly (and encouraging families to look after them)
Housing policies (Fox & Harding, 1996) assume that nuclear families get priority over lone-parent families
Child support policies have emphasised the importance of absent fathers to pay for children
Gradual liberalisation of divorce laws
Recognition of gay/lesbian relationships
State funding for childcare
Domestic violence treated more seriously by police and authorities
Also look at the policies of different parties:
New Right ( )
New Labour ( )
Coalition (2010 – present)
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11. Childhood Marriage/Divorce
Education policy – compulsory
Age limits on sex/alcohol/ smoking/employment
Children’s Act (1989)
Child Labour Acts (Factories)
Promotion of specialist health and social care services
Divorce Reform Act (1969)
Married Person’s Tax Allowance
Welfare support to single parents
Think how the above can be seen to have had POSITIVE and NEGATIVE impact on the family
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