In the US and UK there has been a transformation in child care, family leave, social assistance and tax credits over the last twenty years. This book explores the factors behind these changes. With detailed case studies, it shows that ideas and the power to wield them are crucial factors in the transformation of family policy.
'Family Policy in Transformation does an exceptional job in reviewing the differences in the character and recent development of four key components of family policy between the US and the UK. But more importantly, the author complements the 'how' of the difference with good stories about 'why.''
- Michael Wiseman, Research Professor of Public Policy and Economics, George Washington Institute of Public Policy, USA
'Dorian Woods' analysis of family policy and its development in the US and the UK is a significant contribution to social policy analysis. Ideas and the different ways in which they are used and change, and their effect on family policy-making are explored in a nuanced way that illustrates well the specificity of adaptation of similar ideas in different contexts.'
- Julia O'Connor, Professor of Social Policy, University of Ulster, UK