A Level Sociology OCR Practice Exam

What is the New Right perspective on lone parent households?

1. They are essential for child development.

2. They are seen as harmful and not natural.

3. They promote greater independence for children.

4. They are encouraged as viable family structures.

The correct answer is: They are seen as harmful and not natural.

The New Right perspective on lone parent households is that they are viewed as harmful and not natural. This viewpoint stems from the New Right's emphasis on traditional family structures, particularly the nuclear family, which they believe provides the most stable and beneficial environment for child-rearing. Advocates of the New Right argue that lone parent households often lack the necessary resources, both emotional and financial, to adequately support children. They contend that children benefit from having both a mother and a father, and a lone parenting situation is seen as deviating from this ideal. Within this framework, lone parent households are often criticized for potentially fostering negative outcomes for children, such as increased risk of poverty and behavioral issues. The New Right perspective links the rise of lone parent families to broader societal problems, suggesting that these family forms disrupt social order and contribute to the breakdown of social values. In contrast, the other choices reflect alternative viewpoints. The suggestion that lone parent households are essential for child development overlooks the New Right's critical stance, while promoting greater independence for children does not align with their belief in traditional family roles. Similarly, the idea that these households are encouraged as viable family structures contradicts the New Right's apprehensive view on the legitimacy and stability of such family arrangements.