While exploring the historical evolution of family policies since the 1980s, focusing on the attempts by the government to call upon an ‘ideal nuclear family essay aims at analyzing the social and cultural implications on Canadian Families. From the Perspective of various scholarly articles, theoretical frameworks, and empirical findings, we shall explore how the conservative ideology has impacted government policies. The policies of interest relate to marriage, social welfare, parenting, and the provision of support services to the family by the government. The essay highlights some of the key factors leading to the adoption of neo-conservative family policies. This is achieved using historical and analytical analysis. There is also an evaluation of the impacts of these policies on Canadian families, which include: same-sex marriages, immigrant family life, and the native communities’ families. We will also closely examine the role of various agents of social control such as social workers, Child protection agents, family counselors, and medical experts. In this essay, we will have a detailed view of how Neo-conservatism policies impacted various family forms in Canada, and also have a clear view on problems affecting families currently.
Neoconservatism emerged in the United States in the 1970s among intellectuals who shared a dislike of communism and a scorn for the counterculture of the 1960s, especially its political radicalism and its enmity against authority, custom, and tradition (Richard,2019). There are several economic and social shifts experienced as a result of neo-conservatism. Neo-Conservatives supported the graduated income tax, the inheritance tax, the modern welfare, and other means by which a social “safety net” might be placed underneath society’s less-fortunate members.
Additionally, they advocated that the welfare state should be scaled down since it was too generous. The neo-conservative emphasized traditional families (Richard,2019). Conservative parties generally supported the idea of an ‘Ideal nuclear family’, where the man was strictly the breadwinner. This implied a stern gender division of family roles that is, the Man going to work for income and the woman as the primary caregiver.
Moreover, this approach also made women disincentivized to participate in the labor market to earn any income. This is because they were only considered as caregivers. The ideology of an ‘ideal nuclear family’ was burdensome to the women since they could not participate in any income-generating activities due to strict gender roles. Countries with strong democratic parties injected resources intending to expand countermeasures against a familial policy that emphasized an ‘ideal nuclear family’ (Giovanni, 2021). This intervention led to relieving women of the burden of being considered as caregivers and enhanced a dual-earner model.
Social assistance is an important aspect of the Canadian social safety net. It is comprised of various policies that are formulated to play a part when Canadians might be economically challenged. The social safety net consists of private charities, family, friends, and publicly funded programs. Social assistance responsibility was shared by the federal and provincial governments under the Canada Assistance Plan (CAP) from 1967 until 1995(Boychuk,1997). The social assistance however had several conditions including: One had to demonstrate need, it was subject to residency requirement, appeal procedures were institutionalized, provincial government had to account for their use of the CAP funds, and there were prohibitions of work requirements for the receipt of welfare.
Subject to the dependence on social assistance, in the 1980s, Canada experienced gradual improvements in employment standards which led to cutbacks by many. The main aspect that prepared the working class for the labor market was the educational system (Boychuk,1997). As a result of the cutbacks of the public sector provision of social welfare, the private sector stepped in to provide support in the form of charitable donations and through privatization. Privatization led to social programs being regulated in a market-based manner, rather than being the responsibility of the state hence causing a decline in welfare.
Welfare retrenchment had severe impacts on family support services. In 1993, the Mulroney government eliminated the family allowance, instead, it was advanced to the “child tax benefit” (CTB), an income support based on income rather than entitlement. Although the CTB 12 was part of a parliamentary package to stop rising rates of Canadian child poverty, it did little to accomplish this task (Sanchez Garcia, 2002). The conservatives introduced the “Universal Child Care Benefit” which, although it sounds like a free entitlement, is progressively taxed.
Nevertheless, families in the middle and upper classes are the ones that benefit more from this policy scheme. Inequality has been adamant since the policy shifts (Sanchez Garcia, 2002). Welfare retrenchment has a huge impact on social welfare and can lead to vices like reduced access to child care, and financial assistance to families leading to a high cost of living.
Neo-conservatism advocates for the decline in state intervention concerning domestic affairs. It also prioritizes individual responsibility and the free market. This increases the rate of individualism in family policies, which are now seen as an individual responsibility rather than that of the state. Individualism has led to the privatization of welfare programs, through charitable organizations and the private sector (Fukuyama,2015 pp. 118-127). They argue that a state welfare program that is too well-intentioned is likely to produce unwanted consequences.
Neo-Conservatives prefer market-based solutions in addressing challenges of poverty rather than state involvement. Their policies are towards encouraging self-reliance by individuals by earning their income rather than waiting for support from welfare programs and also promoting economic growth (Moses,2004 pp 275-286). This approach therefore favors individualism and eliminating welfare programs.
Neo-conservative policies which mean little government intervention and encourage the use of traditional values have had various effects on different family structures. Therefore, the impacts vary depending on the family structure, traditional cultural norms, and political and socio-economic factors, (Ball,1993). On nuclear families, these policies may promote values related to nuclear families i.e. marriage, and responsibilities on the other hand they may result in straining in nuclear families due to little government intervention brought about by economic hardships.
Moreover, in an extended family case, this may emphasize a strong network connection with members of the extended family due to the need for support when the need arises but on the other hand, it may lead to straining of the family especially if policies prioritize capitalism over socialism thereby weakens the bond of extended family (Ball,1993). Single-parent families may experience stigmatization since it’s a non-traditional family setup thereby the family may experience social exclusion and discrimination. However, in general, impact of neo-conservatism stress on family values has made a great stride in the efforts to support various family forms.
Single-parent households face challenges such as financial problems this is because of sole providers’ limited income which may not be enough for the whole family. The family may also face social exclusion and stigmatization from the fact that the family structure is not a recognized traditional family structure, (Raymo et al.,2014). same-sex marriages face challenges such as legal challenges, social stigmatization, and family rejection. Legal challenge since most countries do not support same-sex marriages which may create emotional stress. Social stigma since this family set up traditionally was not recognized. Family rejection due to some families not liking being associated with such a marriage set up thereby may contribute to feelings of isolation.
In addition to that, Indigenous communities face challenges such as historical trauma, socioeconomic disparities, and cultural preservation. Most of these indigenous communities face historical trauma brought about by colonization which increases the chances of family breakdown, (Raymo et al.,2014). Socioeconomic disparities challenge indigenous communities from the fact that there are inadequate social services such as education which may contribute to systematic challenges within the community.
Social welfare programs play a major role in addressing family needs such as the provision of economic support and basic needs i.e. food, shelter, and healthcare. Programs that provide economic support provide financial aid to families during their distress thereby addressing family needs. Healthcare programs such as insurance ensure there is affordable universal healthcare reducing medical expenses thereby addressing family needs (Filia,2018 pp 41(3), 183–195). The shelter may be addressed by the provision of an affordable housing program. Food programs may aid families with low income to keep from malnutrition.
Moreover, the social welfare programs promote social inclusion through education, regional support, and support to marginalized people in society. Social welfare programs such as free primary education promote social Inclusion by allowing all kinds of children regardless of their background get an education which helps in breaking the vicious cycle of poverty. Support for marginalized groups is also another way that social welfare program promotes social inclusion by ensuring the disabled are considered (Filia., et al,2018 pp 41(3), 183–195). Social welfare program promotes social inclusion by supporting the regions that have social connections
In as much as social welfare programs help in addressing family needs and promoting social inclusion, it has various limitations such as dependency and the burden of taxation to facilitate outreach. Dependency may be brought about by the fact that lazy citizens may not work hard waiting for social welfare programs to come through (Lorenzo al,2014 pp 29(10), 1524-1539). Over-taxation is another limitation. For social welfare programs to be successful finance is required in facilitation and therefore the finance is acquired from taxes which is the main government income.
On the other hand, the remedies for these limitations are little or no government intervention and promoting tax credits for family and social needs. Another remedy is the empowerment of community grassroots initiatives this helps in addressing the social and community needs (Lorenzo al,2014 pp 29(10), 1524-1539). Another alternative is to emphasize charitable and nonprofit initiatives in the community thereby solving social needs.
There have been movements against neo-conservative policies such as gender equality movements, labor unions, social justice organizations, religious organizations, and immigrant rights groups. Gender equality is one of the resistance movements especially the females critique the reinforcement of the gender roles which seem to undermine women’s autonomy within families (Bielska., et al,2020). Labor unions prioritize the needs of the working class and therefore resist neoconservative policies that may be against their interests. Social justice organizations on the other hand criticize neoconservative policies that try to bring injustices to society and promote programs that bring social welfare programs such as affordable housing, healthcare, and education. Religious organization criticizes neo-conservative policies that challenge the beliefs of the community.
Use of policies that factor in key factors such as race, marginalization, gender sexuality, and other unique characteristics such as class, and ability. These policies ensure that each group receives support with their unique identities. Education is another alternative approach to family-based policy. Extending the investigative narrative of equity, diversity, and social justice Larsen Frostcamilleri conducted a scoping literature review of represented students at the tertiary level noting that these student cohorts are often targeted in formal literature concerning equity and inclusive policies that construct nontraditional tertiary students in terms of deficit discourses (2022). Community-based support services as an alternative approach assist families and marginalized society. These services include mental health services, parenting education programs, and programs that eradicate use of substance use. The use of democratic and participatory forms of decision-making is another form of ensuring that equity diversity and social justice are served (Frostcamilleri, 2022). This alternative ensures that a central decision is made that airs out the views of every citizen.
Social workers need to engage in such activities as an integral part of their professional activity to contribute to the well-being of the people they work with (Gal & Weiss-Gail, 2013). Social workers have different roles such as service provision such as counseling services and referrals to community resources. They also research and evaluate to identify effective interventions for assisting families. They empower the community by providing education and referring them to community resources. Policymakers on their hands play a vital role in budgetary allocation, legislation, oversight, and policy making and implementation.
Additionally, they draft bills and implement them into laws thereby developing policies. They legislate and represent their people in the decision-making platform to ensure diversity, equity, and social justice are upheld(Gal & Weiss-Gail, 2013). They oversee the effects brought about by the laws and policies that they have implemented. Through budgetary allocation, they allocate funding to the social welfare program and ensure social justice and equity. Civil society organizations in their part they play a major role in grassroots mobilization, expertise, service support, and coalition building. These organizations would include social workers, policymakers, and community leaders to make a coalition that emphasizes the use of inclusive policies.
Analysis of both qualitative and quantitative data on family dynamics, outcomes, and social well-being provides a good understanding of relationships in the community. Some of the quantitative data include interviews and focus groups, case studies, and content analysis. An interview is where a researcher can gather rich information and a comprehensive understanding of family dynamics, economic struggles, and the social well-being of the family. Participant observations involve observing families in their natural environment and deducing information from them about their practices and how economic factors affect their livelihood. (Moore,2008) used participant observation to analyze her data. Content analysis is characterized by analyzing data from secondary sources such as journals, letters social media postings that a researcher uses to predict the social well-being of the community. Content analysis helps to unravel implicit meanings, trends, and economic challenges experienced by the community. In general, the reasons for performing qualitative analysis are to explore family members’ understanding of family interactions, examine families within their contexts, and give voice to marginalized families, (Gilgun, 2012).
Quantitative analysis on the other hand involves the administration of surveys, calculation of economic and social indicators, and longitudinal studies. Surveys are administered to a subset of the community to be able to get quantitative data which they can use statistical methods to calculate economic status and social wellbeing. Calculation of indicators such as the economy gives clear insight into poverty rates, unemployment rates, and distribution of resources (Meyer., et al 1998, pp472-492). Indicators such as social indicators offer insights into the living standards of the community and by use of statistical analysis, one can identify the social determinants.
Agents of social control are a subset of the community that keeps and ensures that social norms, rules, and stability are upheld. They play a crucial role in the stability, compliance, and behavior of the community. Some of their key roles include supervising and rehabilitating individuals who violate laws, adjudicating disputes, enforcing the laws, educating members of society on their norms, and promoting moral teachings (Cohen,2024). Correctional services are usually to punish the offenders and prevent future criminal behavior and therefore facilitate the reintegration of society. Adjudication of disputes through the judicial system allows judges and lawyers to interpret laws and ensure accountability. The government agencies tasked with specific roles of regulating certain sectors such as the environment, and construction of buildings ensure compliance of the members of the society by protecting public interests (Cohen,2024).
Social workers as a subset of interdisciplinary teams help families navigate bureaucracies and get their resources complying with the policy requirements. On contestation, social workers get to witness the need for reforms due to negative impacts on vulnerable families. Medical experts on implementation experience the effects of neo-conservative policies on health such as the lack of access to healthcare by poor families (Cohen,2024). On contestation, they advocate for policies that would prioritize health equity and stability. On implementation, child protection agencies ensure the safety and well-being of the children by intervening in issues of neglect abuse, and family stability. On implementation, they challenge the neoconservative policies that seek to exacerbate family stressors. Family counselors implement their roles by providing therapeutic sessions to families facing challenges such as marital conflict and how the families will be stable given neoconservative policies. They contest policies that undermine the stability of families by advocating for policies that support mental health.
Professionals in social work adhere to ethics which can also be seen as relative in the eyes of the beholder, such as confidentiality and client autonomy thereby prioritizing the well-being of the people they serve. The government agencies prioritize bureaucratic efficiency (Thozamile,2012). Professionals have a great loyalty to the people they serve they usually act in the interests of their clients regardless of their employees or government while government mandates sometimes comply with organizational goals without considering citizens’ interests. The tension between professional ethics and governmental mandates increases the risk of harm since professionals may be in a dilemma where they have to harm their clients while the government considers expenditure and costs thereby not prioritizing client interests (Lasky,2005, pp21(8),899-916). Some of the remedies to these are the integration of ethical considerations in policy development, education, and training to help solve dilemmas, support of ethical decision-making in practice, and evaluation of policy effects.
In conclusion, the essay urges policymakers, researchers, and practitioners to prioritize the efforts that address the limitations or the disadvantages of neoconservative policies and emphasize ideologies that support client interests. The essay would like to recommend to the policymakers, practitioners, and counselors. Policymakers should include diversity and equity every time they make and implement laws. They should allow public participation to factor in the interest of the community. They should invest in social services so that they can address structural inequalities. They should evaluate how the policies they make impact families and communities in general. To the practitioners, they should promote access to resources regardless of race, gender, etc. They should continue educating the community to keep them informed. They should collaborate discipline and advocate for the client’s needs. The researchers should disseminate their findings to help in policymaking, they should provide evidence for the need for intervention. By considering the above recommendations policies will be fruitful.
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