About the lecture

In this lecture, we think about the change in orientation of family policy under the Conservative governments of 1979-97, intended to strengthen the traditional two-parent family, focusing in particular on: (i) key Conservative policies, including reductions in child benefit and the Child Support Act, which compelled absent fathers to provide financial support to their children; (ii) the continued rise in divorce and single-parent households which occurred despite government policy; (iii) the increase in child poverty and unemployment in this period and its impact on families.

About the lecturer

Professor Pat Thane is Visiting Professor in History at Birkbeck, University of London. She researches twentieth century British history, with a focus on social policy. Her recent publications include Divided Kingdom: A History of Britain, 1900 to the Present (2018), Sinners? Scroungers? Saints? Unmarried Motherhood in Twentieth Century England (2012) (with Tanya Evans) and Happy Families? History and Family Policy (2011).