Zaretsky's Theory of the Family
- Created by: themoderrnage
- Created on: 20-04-21 12:57
Introduction
- Marxist perspective of the role of the family in the modern era.
- Family has changed from being a unit of production to a unit of consumption.
- The family provides a 'safe haven' from the alienating effects of capitalism.
- The family unit props up the capitalist system.
The Family as a Unit of Consumption
- In the pre-industrial era, the family was a unit of production with all family members engaged in activities that contributed to family income.
- In the industrial era, urbanisation meant that families would often have to consume goods rather than produce them.
- Workers would labour in exchange for wages that would allow them to buy the goods and services that they required.
- In contemporary society, families are rarely involved in production and are more likely to be consumers of food, clothing, technological products and home furnishings.
- This reinforces the need for labour in order to purchase new goods and services, particularly if others have them.
- The changes in childhood means that children are no longer seen as an economic asset but rather an economic liability.
The Family as a Safe…
Comments
No comments have yet been made