Zaretsky on the Family Flashcards
L6/L7 (9 cards)
Whos is Zaretsky ?
He is a Marxist sociologist who believes that family props up the capitalist system
Family provides a …
‘safe haven’
How does the family props up capitalism
Marxism **
The family supports capitalism as it acts as a unit of consumption, emcouraging people to by goods and services.
Secondly, families socialise children into accepting hierarchy and inequality, preparing them to become obedient workers
*properties
Another reason family props up capitalism
inheritance of property, wealth is kept within the ruling class, helping to maintain class inequality.
Another way capitalism is proped up by capitalism
family consumes goods, feeding the profits of bourgeoisie and requiring workers to continue to work
Zarentsky
How is family a safe haven
Zarentsky argued that work in the modern era is hard so the home life provides a ‘cushioning blow’ from the effects of capitalism
How is the family a unit of consumption
The family is a unit of consumption because it buys goods and services like food, clothes, toys, and holidays. This helps businesses make money and keeps the capitalist economy going.
industrial era
How else is the family a unit of consumption
In the industrial era, urbanisation meant that families would often have to consume goods rather than produce them
Critism of Zaretsky
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.
