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The effect on the family would be down to circumstance. New Right thought this would discourage family breakdown and ensure that the children are properly socialised by two parents, of the opposite sex. However, Feminists would argue that it is just another tool of female oppression because even in the instance of abusive partners they would still have to meet for counselling, even though it would be likely that they wouldn’t want to. They might also say it promotes patriarchy as women are being forced to stay in their marriage even if they re unhappy because it is what is deemed “right”.
Another key policy the coalition brought in was the bedroom/ spare room tax, which worked to cut housing benefits if you had “spare” rooms. However, the effect on the family might be, worse living conditions, more cramped living; it could also have a knock-on effect on the children’s education opportunity if they dont have the space to work. Having said this, New Right saw it as a way of decreasing dependency on the government hand-outs and promotes a meritocracy, as if they want a bigger house, they will have to work harder for it.
Whilst they view it positivity, feminist would disagree and say that it would cause tension for women at home as they would be held responsible for their living conditions. Similarly, Marxist would think it is further proof that the bourgeoisie will continue to oppress the proletariat. An ideologically controversial policy the coalition has brought in was the legalisation of Gay Marriage in 2013. As this initially came from the liberal side of the coalition, it is maybe easier to see why it was passed.
It is a crucial change for the family as it promotes family iversity, which would allow more acceptance for family diversity and normalise the attitudes towards same sex couples. This disagrees which New Right ideas as it breaks down the idea of the nuclear family which would lead to the improper socialisation of their children as they would be growing up without one of the two key parental roles of the family. Liberal feminist would think this is a good way of rejecting patriarchy but still isnt equal for all. Marxist thinkers might say that it encourages more people to monogamous marriages with 1 heir.
New Labours policies mainly aim to gain more acceptance for family diversity but where still keen to decrease the dependency culture on the government. New labour started to change adoption laws as a way of promoting family diversity. This affect the family as it gave independence to single parents who wanted a child, lower levels of children in foster care and later it allowed same sex couples to adopt too. New right would disagree as they dont believe that family diversity is the way, especially with same sex couples as it leads to incorrect socialisation.
Liberal eminists, however, would say that it promotes matriarchy and allows women to raise children free from patriarchal values of society. Family tax credits gave families more money and pay fewer taxes. Meaning they had more money to spend on the family, however, there was no financial motive to be a lone parent as their benefits got cut. Functionalists would like this as it discourages divorce and promotes the nuclear family. However, they might also say that the tax system creates dependency and allows for laziness as people don’t need to work as hard for their money.
Feminists are a counter- rgument for this as they are in favour for the benefits system as women are more likely to be in poverty than men and can benefit from having government aid when they need it. In conclusion, there is a tendency towards creating a more diverse family culture, where people can be in the family type that suits them best; even if certain ideologies disagree. This shift towards diversity is shown most boldly by the Gay Marriage Act 2013. However, this is counter-acted by the ideological tendency to decrease the dependency culture as by increasing tax credits for families, it promotes the nuclear family.