Marriage and Values in Public Policy

Conflicts in the UK, the US and Australia

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science, Government, Social Policy
Cover of the book Marriage and Values in Public Policy by Elizabeth van Acker, Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Elizabeth van Acker ISBN: 9781317604891
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: January 20, 2017
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author: Elizabeth van Acker
ISBN: 9781317604891
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: January 20, 2017
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

Marriage is a site of political conflict. It is a controversial issue in the UK, Australia and the US where there is a clash of values between neoliberal governments and diverse groups either strongly opposing or supporting marriage. In the meantime, fewer couples are marrying, while other family forms are more widely accepted. This book explores this disconnect by examining policy issues such as class divides, ethnicity, religion, same-sex marriage, gender relations and romantic expectations.

A top down approach explores different government policy responses to marriage. In all three countries, there are differences and similarities in how governments react to the changes in family formations, but values or ‘conceptions of the desirable’ play a significant role. Enhancing stability and commitment as well as personal responsibility are important for policymakers who aim to keep ‘the family’ intact and thereby lower the burden on the public purse. It is difficult for political actors to respond to conflicting and changing values surrounding the diversity in relationships or to translate them into policies. There is a strong case to be made for increased policy attention to adult relationships - and a much weaker case for marriage. Rich evidence is drawn from interviews with key stakeholders as well as politicians’ speeches, government departmental reports, stakeholders’ documents and responses to government policies, and media articles.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Marriage is a site of political conflict. It is a controversial issue in the UK, Australia and the US where there is a clash of values between neoliberal governments and diverse groups either strongly opposing or supporting marriage. In the meantime, fewer couples are marrying, while other family forms are more widely accepted. This book explores this disconnect by examining policy issues such as class divides, ethnicity, religion, same-sex marriage, gender relations and romantic expectations.

A top down approach explores different government policy responses to marriage. In all three countries, there are differences and similarities in how governments react to the changes in family formations, but values or ‘conceptions of the desirable’ play a significant role. Enhancing stability and commitment as well as personal responsibility are important for policymakers who aim to keep ‘the family’ intact and thereby lower the burden on the public purse. It is difficult for political actors to respond to conflicting and changing values surrounding the diversity in relationships or to translate them into policies. There is a strong case to be made for increased policy attention to adult relationships - and a much weaker case for marriage. Rich evidence is drawn from interviews with key stakeholders as well as politicians’ speeches, government departmental reports, stakeholders’ documents and responses to government policies, and media articles.

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book Social Work Practice in Community-Based Health Care by Elizabeth van Acker
Cover of the book Interpretive Ethnography of Education at Home and Abroad by Elizabeth van Acker
Cover of the book Low-Income Students and the Perpetuation of Inequality by Elizabeth van Acker
Cover of the book The Marketing of War in the Age of Neo-Militarism by Elizabeth van Acker
Cover of the book Chataway by Elizabeth van Acker
Cover of the book Queer Crips by Elizabeth van Acker
Cover of the book Ethnomusicology by Elizabeth van Acker
Cover of the book The Transition to Sustainability by Elizabeth van Acker
Cover of the book The Rise and Fall of the The Soviet Economy by Elizabeth van Acker
Cover of the book Reflecting on Social Work - Discipline and Profession by Elizabeth van Acker
Cover of the book Consuming Interests by Elizabeth van Acker
Cover of the book British Freemasonry, 1717-1813 by Elizabeth van Acker
Cover of the book Peace and Conflict 2017 by Elizabeth van Acker
Cover of the book Natural Symbols by Elizabeth van Acker
Cover of the book Aircraft Surveillance Systems by Elizabeth van Acker
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy