Zaretsky - Key Facts Flashcards
What is Zaretsky’s perspective?
Marxist perspective.
What does Zaretsky believe about the family?
In the concept that the family provides a ‘safe haven’ from the alienating effects of capitalism.
He believes that the family props up the capitalist system.
What is Zaretsky’s full view of capitalism, the family and personal life?
Zaretsky takes the view that modern capitalist society has created an illusion that the ‘private life’ of the family is separate from the economy.
Zaretsky does not believe that the family is able to provide for the psychological and social needs of the individual.
Whilst cushioning the effects of capitalism it perpetuates the system and cannot compensate for the general alienation produced by such a society.
He believes that the family has become a prop to the capitalist economy (eg the system depends on the domestic labour of housewives who reproduce future generations of workers) whilst also serving as a vital unit of consumption.
In his view only socialism will end the artificial separation of family and public life, and make possible personal fulfilment.
What is Zaretsky a fan of?
In his view only socialism will end the artificial separation of family and public life, and make possible personal fulfilment.
What key phrase is associated with Zaretsky in terms of the family?
The family provides a cushioning blow from capitalist society.
What is the difference between the cushioning blow theory and the warm bath theory?
The motives differ.
Parsons’ warm bath theory perpetuates that the family is a network of support.
Zaretsky sees this family support as benefiting the capitalist society.
