Zaretsky on the family

Question 1

Zaretsky (1976)

Answer 1

• Marxist perspective of the role of the family in modern era
• Family changed from being a unit of production to a unit of consumption
• Family provides a ‘safe haven’ from alienating effects of capitalism
• Family props up the capitalist system

Question 2

Family as a unit of consumption

Answer 2

• In 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 they required

Question 3

The family as a safe haven - 1

Answer 3

• Zaretsky argued that work in the modern era is labour intensive and unfulfilling for workers
• Workers suffer alienation form not seeing the results if their labour
• How provides a ‘cushioning blow’ from the effects of capitalism - leaves worker refreshed and replenished for another day’s labour

Question 4

The family as a safe haven - 2

Answer 4

• Family life is an escape for workers - but this view is focused on male tensions being released
• Zaretsky also suggested that family alone was not enough to satisfy the needs of workers
• The concept of family being a safe haven is similar to Parsons’s ideas - but the motives behind the two differ

Question 5

Family props up capitalism

Answer 5

• Unpaid labour of women in the household props up capitalism - allows workers to focus on task in hand
• Reproduction of future generations socialised into capitalist norms and values
• Family consumes goods, feeding the profits of bourgeoisie and requiring workers to continue their labour in exchange for wages for these goods

Question 6

Family props up capitalism - 2

Answer 6

• The responsibility of family life also acts as a control on workers
• The need to provide and the fear of the consequences of unemployment mean bourgeoise can control wages and working conditions
• In times of high unemployment, the family acts as a source of motivation to work longer and for less pay

Question 7

Evaluations

Answer 7

• Focus on economic functions of family - do people choose to have families based upon economic consideration
• Focus on consumption in contemporary society proves Zaretsky arguments about family propping up capitalist profits
• Lack of focus o n the female role within the family - women absorbing the anger of the workers or being ‘the slaves of wage slaves’