Essay
Exam Question on Family Structure
- Module
- Family And Households
- Institution
- AQA
Essay answer on family structure with main points , evidence , explain , analysis , evaluation , links.
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Outline and explain two ways in which government polices may affect family structure.One way in which government policies affect family structure is due to the concept of divorce. Due
to the changing roles of women, women have now the confidence and power to initiate a divorce.
Originally one partner had to prove that the other was ‘at fault’ in order to be granted a divorce but
when the 1969 Divorce Act was enabled, it no longer required the witness or even evidence to prove
why one partner was at fault. However, if only one partner wanted a divorce, they still had to wait 5
years from the date of marriage to get one. In 1984 this was changed so that a divorce could be
granted within one year of marriage. Having the authority and claims to take a divorce into action
will either form lone parent hood families or single parent families and this breaks down the ideal
concept of having a perfect family including a mother, father and two kids which immediately affects
family structure. Another piece of evidence is the introduction of fostering children. The creation of
the adoption act in 2002 and came into force in 2005 states how any type of couple had the right to
adopt a child, whether they were gay, lesbian or even unmarried couples. This once again disrupts
the family structure because it is a mixture of all types of family backgrounds and more importantly
what gives family its name, it gives a chance for children who are not related by blood to be
adopted. Not having a child that is not by blood diminishes the existence of what a family should be
like hence why it affects the structure of family in all ways. The impact this may have is in both cases,
it is considered abnormal in society to have an irregular and imbalanced family. Moreover, it is
disliked and disapproved to have an alternative to “cereal packet families”. Unfortunately, if people
view this as a chance to change the way their families form through policies and due to the increase
of different family structures it may lead to a socially acceptable choice which therefore destroys the
form of a nuclear family. Something that should be common in modern days. This is why one how.
Another way in how government polices affect family structure is due to the equal opportunities
that now exist in modern life. For example, The Civil Partnership Act 2004 that came into effect on
2005 stated same-sex couples can register a civil partnership, which has almost the same legal
effects, rights and obligations as marriage does for mixed-sex couples. This suggests how society is
starting to adopt the traits and viewpoints of those they found once unusual and considered a crime.
This is clear proof as to how society has become more modernised and is starting to evolve in a way
where the views of a community results in government polices which changes family structures.
Another piece of evidence is the support given to lone parent families. If a lone parent couple is 18
and over, they have the right to qualify for income support which is at 37.50 and have to be working
less than 16 hours per week. This provides the significant strength for the structure of family
because due to policies it gives lone parents a boost economically to at least make a living and live a
stable wife whether they need to look after children or do not have any job. The impact this may
have is less parents becoming jobless or even homeless and are able to have the basic necessities
given to them to live in a society where they are being supported. This is another way how.
Another way government policies affecting family structures the balanced choices both genders
revise. For example, the equal pay act in 2010 states how there must be an equal balance in wages
between men and women and no gender should have a certain amount more or less when being
paid. This provides an equal opportunity in all ways because there us no injustice and
indiscrimination. Moreover, women are now able to work and receive their own wages which makes
them less of the expressive role but more of the instrumental role which further widens the gap of
what a family is shaped like resulting in changing the structure. Another piece of evidence is the
child support act that was established in 2005. This made sure that children were given the
protection needed to be able to live with their families. This provides a elevation of reforming back
the nuclear family because families that were unable to look after their child had a chance again to
look after their children again with the help of an act that was used to cover all protection from the
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