D.H.J. Morgan - The Family, Politics, and Social Theory (RLE Social Theory)

ROUTLEDGE LIBRARY EDITIONS:
SOCIAL THEORY

Volume 21

THE FAMILY, POLITICS AND
SOCIAL THEORY

THE FAMILY, POLITICS AND
SOCIAL THEORY

D.H.J. MORGAN

First published in 1985

This edition first published in 2015
by Routledge
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and by Routledge
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1985 D.H.J. Morgan

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ISBN: 978-0-415-72731-0 (Set)
eISBN: 978-1-315-76997-4 (Set)
ISBN: 978-1-138-78241-9 (Volume 21)
eISBN: 978-1-315-76364-4 (Volume 21)

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The Family, Politics and Social Theory

ROUTLEDGE & KEGAN PAUL
London, Boston, Melbourne and Henley

Any list of acknowledgments must be an arbitrary affair. I know that I have obtained useful suggestions, references and even more helpful encouragement from the following at various times during the development of this present project: Claire Bacha, Bob Chester, Susan Edwards, Ann Fillmore, Ronald Frankenberg, Janet Finch, Iris Gillespie, C. Margaret Hall, Chris Harris, Frances Hepworth, Diana Leonard, Nod Miller, Valdo Pons, Kate Purcell, Robert Rapoport, Shirley Rheubottom and Liz Stanley. Equally, I am aware of many other conversations, discussions and influences from colleagues, friends and students both within the University of Manchester and the wider sociological community. The usual apologies, both to those whose names have been excluded from the above list and to those whose names have been included.

A special acknowledgment to Janice Hammond who typed the manuscript so speedily and efficiently; to Janet for her friendship and encouragement during the final stages of this book; to Jacqui and Julian who constantly reminded me not to take myself, or sociology, too seriously.

It is now some nine years since the publication of my first book, Social Theory and the Family (Morgan, 1975). During the intervening period I have been gratified by many friendly suggestions, criticisms and comments. Recently it has been suggested that the book be revised, in order to take account of the many developments that have taken place in the field since the book was written. While I recognised the force of this argument, I was unhappy about the suggestion of a simple updating for several reasons. In the first place, Social Theory and the Family did not claim to be a survey of the field but an argument, using a selective number of issues, around the confrontation between certain orthodox sociological treatments of the family and certain more heterodox approaches coming for the most part from outside sociology. Consequently while some of the sources cited would now seem to be dated, what should be important is the usefulness or otherwise of that argument. Any further writing should be a development or reworking of the argument rather than a simple updating of the sources used. In the second place, the changes that have taken place in the field have been so great and so widespread that a piecemeal textual revision would seem to be out of the question. Finally, any book is very much a product of a persons autobiography and times, both of which are subject to change. An attempt simply to revise or update a book may obscure or distort such changes.

Outside of the changes that have taken place in the field, the author and the wider social context, I have become aware of certain defects in Social Theory and the Family. My treatment of women as a social class is probably the least satisfactory in the book and not simply because of the datedness of the material used. Close to the time of publication, Juliet Mitchells Psychoanalysis and Feminism (Mitchell, 1975) came out and the domestic labour debate got fully under way. Some of these developments I ought to have predicted or given more recognition. But a more important criticism might be made of my overall stance, one which, while sympathetic, tended to relativise and sociologise the feminist critique and experience, rather than appreciate the full importance of this critique for my own practice and writing. My stance was somewhat too detached, a product no doubt of my own gender. I now consider that it is probably impossible, and certainly impolitic, for a male academic to write about feminism although it is essential for that academic to be aware of the continued feminist critique and research and to make himself aware of the implications of that for his own practices in all aspects of his life. Feminism as a movement cannot become, at least at the present time, a topic for male investigation although the central themes and concerns of feminist theory must have consequences for a male sociologist who would claim some sympathy with the Womens Movement (Morgan, 1981).

It is hoped, therefore, that this whole book the issues chosen for investigation and the way of approach reflects the impact of feminism on my thinking in the intervening years. While I include some specific treatment of certain issues raised by Marxism and feminism in , I do not feel it necessary to provide a comprehensive discussion of the feminist literature that has appeared since 1975. Very full and adequate accounts already exist (Barrett, 1980; Oakley, 1981) and will no doubt continue to be produced.