Reshaping the Goals of Family Policy: Sexual Equality, Not Protection

Abstract

Social workers and feminists have been strong advocates for the development of a national family policy that, they argue, will contribute to equality between the sexes. This article demonstrates why this contention is not true and why current proposab for a family policy warrant concern, rather than support from feminists. It reviezus feminist critiques of the family as a source of women's oppression, the pronatalist nature of this society, the pronatalist intent of family policy, and the weaknesses of current proposals in accounting for the diverse needs of families and in supporting minority and low-income families. It concludes by suggesting the major components of a feminist family policy.