Which viewpoint blames the generosity of the welfare state for the growth of lone parenthood?

• A. Marxists
• B. Feminists
• C. New Right
• D. Classical Liberals

Answer: (C)

The New Right view emphasizes policy incentives. They argue that generous welfare payments reduce the costs and risks of having children outside marriage, making lone parenthood financially viable and less costly. This creates a “perverse incentive” where state support lowers the penalties for non-traditional family forms, encouraging more people to become or remain single parents. In their view, welfare generosity shapes family behavior and helps explain the growth of lone-parent households.

For context, Marxists would focus on capitalism and class structures, feminists on patriarchy and gender inequality, and classical liberals would critique state intervention itself rather than crediting welfare generosity as the cause.