A Level Sociology OCR Practice Exam

According to New Right Theory, what has led to the decline of traditional family values?

1. Increased immigration

2. Progressive policies of the 60s and 70s

3. Technological advancements

4. Decline in religious beliefs

The correct answer is: Progressive policies of the 60s and 70s

New Right Theory posits that the decline of traditional family values is closely linked to the progressive policies implemented during the 1960s and 1970s. These policies, which included the expansion of welfare systems, the promotion of individual rights, and the push for gender equality, are viewed by proponents of the New Right as factors that undermined the nuclear family structure that they idealize. According to New Right theorists, such policies have fostered a culture that values alternatives to traditional family forms, such as single-parent households and cohabitation without marriage. The emphasis on personal choice and autonomy in family life is seen as contributing to a breakdown of what they consider 'family values,' leading to increased instability and social issues. While options like increased immigration, technological advancements, and a decline in religious beliefs may also contribute to changes in family structures, they are not the primary focus of New Right Theory in explaining the erosion of traditional values. Instead, the theory specifically critiques the impact of the cultural shifts initiated by the progressive reforms of the mid-20th century.