Indeed, they're already disappearing under capitalism as social norms change. Although, it's worth noting that social reproduction is tied to material conditions and economic organization. For example, women equally participating in the workforce necessarily upends traditional family structure.

[–] bennieandthez@lemmygrad.ml 18 points 3 months ago

yup and women+children were integrated to the workforce as the development of industry started taking off to increase the supply of labor-power and reduce wages. the structure of the family in a given society is the reflection of the development of the society!

[–] bobs_guns@lemmygrad.ml 10 points 3 months ago

Yeah if every adult has to work then you need at least three adults per family to keep up with child-rearing and housework without straight-up burning people out.

[–] knfrmity@lemmygrad.ml 8 points 3 months ago (2 children)

The "traditional" or nuclear family these conservatives want to protect is itself a recent invention. Before industrialization and capitalism families and communities looked quite different.

[–] yogthos@lemmygrad.ml 5 points 3 months ago

Right, the culture is a product of the material conditions at a particular point in history. It's not an abstract thing that exists outside material reality.

[–] bennieandthez@lemmygrad.ml 3 points 3 months ago

yup and depends in class too, i can't imagine a traditional family in the proletariat during the industrial revolution in England for example.

The 20th century traditional middle class american family was only possible due to the concessions, segregation and imperialism.