Parental Rights and Responsibilities: Analysing Social Policy and Lived Experiences

Introduction; Part one: The broader context: Conceptualising child, family and social well-being; Socio-economic change and social well-being trends; Children, families and welfare state restructuring; Part two: UK social policy developments 1997-2010; Welfare to work measures and financial support for families; Childcare and family-friendly employment policies; Parental and family support services; Part three: Research on parental perspectives: Parenthood and parenting in context; Negotiating work and family life; Part four: Policy implications: Conclusion: rights and responsibilities for child, family and social well-being.

Harriet Churchill is a Lecturer in Social Work at the University of Sheffield. Her research interests include family and childhood sociology, family and parental support, welfare state reform and family policy.

"Harriet Churchill powerfully juxtaposes British policies around parenting with the experiences and perspectives of parents. This encounter is both a painful and productive one, enabling her to suggest ways in which parental rights and responsibilities might be re-thought." John Clarke, Professor of Social Policy, The Open University. "Harriet Churchill's new book is a comprehensive, well written and extremely useful review of recent family policy and research. Recommended reading." Val Gillies, Families & Social Capital Research Group, London South Bank University