New Right Perspective of the Family
Perverse Incentives: The New Right argues that generous welfare benefits act as 'perverse incentives' that encourage dysfunctional family behaviors. For example, they suggest that providing housing and income to lone parents encourages young women to have children they cannot support and discourages fathers from remaining with their families.
Dependency Culture: This refers to a state where individuals rely on government handouts rather than seeking employment. The New Right believes this erodes the work ethic and personal responsibility, creating a cycle of poverty that is passed down through generations.
The Underclass: Sociologist Charles Murray identified an 'underclass' at the bottom of society characterized by welfare dependency, crime, and family instability. He argued that the lack of a male role model in lone-parent families leads to poorly socialized boys who turn to crime and girls who repeat the cycle of early pregnancy.
Comparison with Functionalism: While both value the nuclear family, Functionalists see it as a necessary part of a balanced system, whereas the New Right sees it as a moral imperative that must be protected through policy changes.
Conflict with Feminism: Feminists argue that the New Right's 'ideal' family is patriarchal and oppressive to women. They view the New Right's emphasis on the expressive role as a way to justify gender inequality and restrict women's opportunities outside the home.
| Feature | New Right | Functionalism | Feminism |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ideal Family | Traditional Nuclear | Nuclear (Universal) | Diverse/Equal |
| Gender Roles | Biologically Fixed | Socially Functional | Socially Constructed/Oppressive |
| Welfare View | Harmful/Creates Dependency | Necessary Support | Often Insufficient for Women |
| Social Change | Regressive (Return to tradition) | Evolutionary | Progressive (Equality) |
Identify the Moral Argument: When analyzing New Right theories, look for keywords like 'moral decay,' 'traditional values,' and 'responsibility.' These indicate a normative (value-based) rather than purely descriptive approach.
Link to Social Policy: The New Right is heavily focused on how laws and benefits affect family life. Always connect their theories to specific policy suggestions, such as cutting welfare or providing tax breaks for married couples.
Evaluate with Evidence: To gain high marks, critique the New Right using counter-evidence. For instance, point out that many lone-parent families are the result of divorce (often initiated by women escaping domestic abuse) rather than a desire for welfare benefits.
Check for Generalizations: Be aware that the New Right often treats all non-nuclear families as a single 'problem' group, ignoring the success and stability found in many diverse family structures.
Confusing New Right with Functionalism: Students often think they are the same because both like the nuclear family. Remember: Functionalism is a sociological theory about how society works; the New Right is a political ideology about how society should work.
Overstating the 'Underclass': It is a mistake to assume the 'underclass' is a proven scientific fact. Many sociologists argue it is a stigmatizing label used to blame the poor for their own poverty without addressing structural economic issues.
Ignoring Economic Factors: The New Right often blames family breakdown for poverty, but critics argue that poverty and lack of jobs are actually the causes of family instability.