Zaretsky on the Family

Question 1

Whos is Zaretsky ?

Answer 1

He is a Marxist sociologist who believes that family props up the capitalist system

Question 2

Family provides a …

Answer 2

‘safe haven’

Question 3

How does the family props up capitalism

Answer 3

unpaid labour of women in the household props up capitalism - allows workers to fous on task in hand

Question 4

Another reason family props up capitalism

Answer 4

reproduction of future generations, socialised into capitalist norms and values

Question 5

Another way capitalism is proped up by capitalism

Answer 5

family consumes goods, feeding the profits of bourgeoisie and requiring workers to continue to work

Question 6

How is family a safe haven

Answer 6

Zarentsky argued that work in the modern era is hard so the home life provides a ‘cushioning blow’ from the effects of capitalism

Question 7

How is that family a unit of consumption

Answer 7

in the pre-industrial era the family was a unit of production - with all family members contributing to the family

Question 8

How else is the family a unit of consumption

Answer 8

In the industrial era, urbanisation meant that families would often have to consume goods rather than produce them

Question 9

Critism of Zaretsky

Answer 9

Zaretsky argues that the family provides a “safe haven” from capitalism, but many families experience conflict, domestic abuse, and stress, making it far from a refuge.