Social Policy Sociology

Social policy is a term which is used for many areas of policy. This is usually a political setting such as the welfare state or the study of social services. Social policy became more apparent after the Second World War. There was a rapid expansion of key services taking an interest in the welfare state. William Beveridge was the chief of the welfare state and he used a term called the “five giants”. These giants are known as poor housing, health, unemployment, poverty and lack of education. For Beverage it was a main priority to tackle the five giants as this was an essential part of post war reconstruction.

However, as time passed the social policy analyst started to point out gaps between the five giants (the welfare state). The main

There has been change within the income to for example the new “norm” is to have both parents bringing in the income, not just one.

Family play a key part in social policy however it is often overlooked. Many governments have been keen to keep the traditional family by the following measurements, Legislation which prevents gay marriage, Legislation on abortion with a view that children should be the product of family life, Legislation which complicates divorce Legislation which says who has the main responsibility over children, Legislation on provision of public housing. Fox-Harding (1991)

The social policy plays a key role in the lives of children and young people including the community they live in. Children and young people’s needs are met through social services, health, schools, and social assistance. The children's act (1989) has made sure the needs of children are the priority however this has been done with the same view that all families have the traditional structure which is a child should have both biological parents who share the responsibility. It also discourages an approach known as the “clean break” and divorce is seen as a social problem. Smart and Neale Family Fragments