Masking Dependency: The Political Role of Family Rhetoric

36 Pages Posted: 21 Aug 2012

Multiple version iconThere are 2 versions of this paper

Date Written: 1995

Abstract

This article explores the schizophrenic nature of the interaction between social ideals and empirical observations concerning dependency. It is particularly concerned with the family as a social and political construct that facilitates this interaction, arguing that continued adherence to an unrealistic and unrepresentative set of assumptions about the family affects the way we perceive and attempt to solve persistent problems of poverty and social welfare.

Images of the traditional family pervade contemporary political and legal discourse, but they ignore or obscure the nature and extent of individual dependency. In a just society, there must be a fundamental obligation for the community to provide for its weaker members. Fulfilling that collective obligation to society that has historically appropriated, rather than economically rewarded, care taking labor will have some redistributive (or market correcting) consequences when those who currently care for dependents at substantial cost to themselves are finally compensated.

Keywords: feminism, family, justice, caretaking, dependency, nuclear family, welfare, private, public, patriarchy, single motherhood, divorce, equality, egalitarian family, natural family, private family

Suggested Citation

Fineman, Martha Albertson, Masking Dependency: The Political Role of Family Rhetoric (1995). Virginia Law Review, Vol. 81, 1995, Emory Public Law Research Paper, Forthcoming, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2132300

Martha Albertson Fineman (Contact Author)

Emory University School of Law ( email )

1301 Clifton Road
Atlanta, GA 30322
United States
404-712-2421 (Phone)

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