Zaretsky

• Writes from a Marxist perspective
• Takes the view that modern capitalist society has created an illusion that the 'private life' of the family is separate from the economy. He does not believe that the family is able to provide for the psychological and social needs of the individual.
• Whilst softening the effects of capitalism, it keeps the system going 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 (e.g. 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 Zaretsky's view only socialism will end the artificial separation of family and public life, and make possible personal fulfilment.
• It is a Marxist view. A private life of the family from the economy is just an illusion. The family is unable to provide for social needs for an individual. Capitalism alienates people because of the lack of freedom that has occurred because of the ruling class. The alienation is a strain on people which the family can soften the side effects of. The family keeps capitalism going by being a unit of consumption and giving the bourgeoisie their money for products.
• Strengths:

  Everyone buys things and it is very rare that we make something ourselves. Everytime we buy something Zaretsky argues that we keep the ruling class afloat. The family does relieve stress but Zaretsky argues that it is for the ruling classes benefit instead of the individual and society as a whole.
• Weaknesses:

  Takes negative views of the family and ignores some of the positives that can come from it. Zaretsky also focuses a lot on class and does not consider the unequal strain faced by women in the family. The theory was made in 1976 so its applications to modern society are a bit outdated and questionable.
• Marxist perspective
• The family serves the needs of capitalism and is a unit of consumption
• Women reproduce future workers and look after current workers