All the major political parties have spoken up in defence of 'the family' over the last years as a response to nearly every social problem from unemployment, binge drinking, crime to educational under-achievement. With high rates of divorce and separation and 'alternative' living arrangements - are traditional family structures on the way out?

What is unique to the modern bourgeois family form and what are its psychological effects? What do we think about the creation of alternative quasi family structures? Do socialist feminists want to “abolish the family”?

The forum will also look at the ideas that emerged in the 60s and 70s when 'the family' came under fire for subjecting the child to the private authority of parents, for reproducing gender oppression, stifling sexual liberation and acting against working class radicalism and solidarity...

All welcome.

Reading (if you have the time):

1. " 'SMASH THE FAMILY'? RECALLIONG THE 1960S", Chapter 2 from 'What is to be done about the Family' written by Lynne Segal. For a pdf of this e-mail brent@workersliberty.org

2. MODELS OF FAMILY STRUCTURE The final chapter of Mark Poster's 'Critical Theory of the Family'. Available online.