Theories of the Family and Policy

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Theories of the Family and Policy

Author Info

Veronica Jacobsen
Lindy Fursman
John Bryant
Megan Claridge
Benedikte Jensen () (New Zealand Treasury)

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Abstract

Policy interventions that affect or are mediated through the family typically assume a behavioural response. Policy analyses proceeding from different disciplinary bases may come to quite different conclusions about the effects of policies on families, depending how individuals within families behave. This paper identifies the implications of five theories of family and individual behaviour for the likely success of policy intervention. Anthropology documents not only the universality of the family, but also its many forms. Economic theory illustrates the capacity for well-intentioned policy to be thwarted by individual rationality. Evolutionary biology suggests that a number of fundamental drivers of behaviour are genetic predispositions and can be difficult to influence through policy. Sociology emphasises the role of social norms but recognises that individualism limits the influence of society generally on individual behaviour. Understanding the theories of the family emanating from different disciplines can enrich policy analysis by identifying how and why behaviour can be influenced. It also can serve to remind researchers of the resilience of the family and the limits of government intervention.

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Publisher Info
Paper provided by New Zealand Treasury in its series Treasury Working Paper Series with number 04/02.

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Length: 104 pages
Date of creation: Mar 2004
Date of revision:
Handle: RePEc:nzt:nztwps:04/02

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Postal: New Zealand Treasury, PO Box 3724, Wellington, New Zealand
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Web page: http://www.treasury.govt.nz
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Find related papers by JEL classification:
A12 - General Economics and Teaching - - General Economics - - - Relation of Economics to Other Disciplines
B49 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - Economic Methodology - - - Other
D19 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Other
J12 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Marriage; Marital Dissolution; Family Structure
J18 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Public Policy
K00 - Law and Economics - - General - - - General (including Data Sources and Description)
R29 - Urban, Rural, and Regional Economics - - Household Analysis - - - Other

This paper has been announced in the following NEP Reports:

NEP-ALL-2004-05-26 (All new papers)

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