Family : Zaretsky

• Agency of Social Control

  Zaretsky (1976) also emphasizes this ideological role of the family in propping up capitalism. He sees the family as an escape route from oppression and exploitation at work - a private place where people, particularly male workers, can enjoy a personal life and be valued as individuals, and have some measure of control over their lives. This release in the family helps them to live with their daily oppression in the world of work, and thereby helps to undermine opposition to capitalism.
• Agency of Social Control

  However, this seems a very romanticised view of the family, without family conflicts and rows, and, as Marxist feminists have pointed out this is very much a male Marxist perspective on the family, as much of the work that might make the family a haven and refuge is done by, and are the expense of, women.