Which of the following is NOT one of the two main types of social policies aimed at families?

• A. Policies providing direct material support for families, such as tax credits and child benefit
• B. Policies to help parents balance paid employment and family life, including maternity and paternity leave
• C. Policies that focus solely on reforming the education system
• D. Policies that ensure absent fathers contribute to the costs of bringing up children

Answer: (D)

Two broad kinds of social policies aimed at families are direct financial support for families with children (like child benefit or tax credits) and policies that help parents balance paid work with family life (such as maternity/paternity leave and paid parental leave, flexible working, and childcare provision). The choice about ensuring absent fathers contribute to the costs of bringing up children isn’t one of these broad categories—it’s a specific child maintenance policy within family law, not a general type of policy that directly supports families as a group or enables work–family balance. Education reform, while important, isn’t a family-focused policy either; it’s a broader policy area. So the item about absent fathers contributing does not fit as one of the two main types of family policies.