The New Right movement, influential in the 1980s, champions traditional nuclear family values as crucial for societal stability. It criticizes family diversity and welfare policies, linking them to social issues like crime and poverty. The movement supports policies to strengthen the nuclear family and reduce welfare dependency, with empirical backing from researchers like Norman Dennis and George Erdos. Charles Murray's concept of the 'underclass' also aligns with New Right ideology.
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The New Right is a conservative political movement that gained prominence in the 1980s
Limited Government Intervention
The New Right advocates for limited government intervention in markets and traditional family structures
Reinforcement of Traditional Family Structures
The New Right believes in the nuclear family as the optimal setting for child-rearing and societal stability
The New Right shares with functionalism the belief in a harmonious society when traditional roles and institutions are preserved
The New Right defines the nuclear family as a self-sufficient unit composed of a married couple with distinct gender roles
The New Right argues that the nuclear family provides a stable environment and clear role models for children
The New Right believes that societal problems such as crime and poverty are caused by the breakdown of the nuclear family
The New Right is critical of single-parent families, reconstituted families, cohabiting couples, and same-sex couples
The New Right argues that non-traditional family structures lead to societal problems and weaken the nuclear family's role and value
The New Right believes that state policies providing support to non-traditional families foster a dependency culture and irresponsible behaviors
The New Right proposes cutting welfare benefits for single-parent families and the unemployed to incentivize work and reduce teenage pregnancy
The New Right advocates for making divorce more challenging to encourage couples to remain together and preserve the nuclear family
Studies have shown the negative effects of non-traditional families on children, supporting the New Right's argument for the societal benefits of the nuclear family
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New Right's influence on 1980s UK politics
Dominated by Thatcher and Major, stressed free markets, reduced state intervention.
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New Right vs. Structural Theories
Unlike functionalism/Marxism, not a structural theory but shares functionalism's view on societal harmony.
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New Right's stance on economic policy
Advocates for free-market capitalism, deregulation, and privatization of state-owned enterprises.
