Question 1: Define the term 'family policy' and explain its purpose in society.

Answer: Family policy refers to government initiatives, laws, and programs designed to influence family life, support families, and address social issues related to family structures and functioning.

Question 2: Identify and describe two UK government policies aimed at supporting families.

Answer: Examples include paid maternity/paternity leave, which provides parents time off work after childbirth, and child benefit payments, which offer financial support to families with children.

Question 3: Discuss how the introduction of paid parental leave might influence family dynamics.

Answer: Paid parental leave can strengthen family bonds by allowing parents to spend more time with their newborns, support maternal and paternal roles, and promote shared responsibilities, potentially leading to healthier family relationships.

Question 4: Explain the concept of 'family diversity' and evaluate how family policies can either support or challenge this diversity.

Answer: Family diversity refers to the variety of family structures beyond the traditional nuclear family, such as single-parent families, same-sex families, and extended families. Policies that are inclusive and flexible support this diversity by accommodating different family needs, while policies that favor traditional family models may challenge or marginalize non-traditional families.

Question 5: Describe a recent UK family policy and analyze its potential impact on different types of families.

Answer: A recent policy is the introduction of shared parental leave, which allows parents to share leave after a child's birth. This policy can promote equality in child-rearing responsibilities, benefiting both mothers and fathers, but may also face challenges in implementation or acceptance among certain family types or workplaces.

Question 6: Draw a diagram to illustrate how government support (such as child benefits and parental leave) can influence family stability.

Answer: A correct diagram would show government support as the starting point, with arrows pointing towards increased family stability, improved financial security, and better parent-child relationships.

Question 7: Sketch a diagram representing the different family types that can be supported by family policies in the UK.

Answer: A correct sketch would include circles or icons representing nuclear families, single-parent families, same-sex couples, and multigenerational families, with arrows indicating how policies can support each type.

Question 8: Evaluate the effectiveness of family policies in reducing child poverty in the UK.

Answer: Family policies like child benefits and free school meals aim to reduce child poverty by providing financial support. Their effectiveness depends on accessibility, adequacy of support, and whether they reach the most vulnerable families. While they have improved conditions for many children, some argue that they are insufficient to eliminate poverty entirely.

Question 9: Discuss how government policies can influence gender roles within families.

Answer: Policies such as parental leave schemes and flexible working hours can encourage shared parenting responsibilities, challenging traditional gender roles. Conversely, policies that reinforce gender-specific employment patterns may perpetuate stereotypes about gender roles within families.

Question 10: Identify one criticism of family policies in the UK and suggest how they could be improved.

Answer: One criticism is that policies may not be accessible or adequate for all families, especially those in poverty or minority groups. Improvements could include targeted support, increased funding, and policies designed with input from diverse family representatives.