47. The Post-Nuclear Family: Is It Communism? ☭

Glenn Campbell responds to comments on his previous episode suggesting that his post-nuclear family is "Communism" and is destined to fail for the same reasons. Glenn compares his system to two different kinds of 20th Century "communism": Soviet Communism and the kibbutz's of Israel. Every family is inherently communistic: "From each according to his abilities. To each according to his needs." However, the socialism takes place only within the childrearing unit. In the post-nuclear system, adults remain independent and don't try to share everything with each other. The family is supported in the same way as a community church: with voluntary contributions in time and labor from its members. Apart from this, adults maintain their own assets and pursue their own lives. More interesting than Soviet Communism is the kibbutz system of 1960s Israel, which tried to raise children in large groups. It didn't work out, and Glenn explains why. Finally, Glenn defines the "Westermarck effect", which was first identified in the kibbutz system. It will be referenced in a later episode on sexuality. — Website: DemographicDoom.com — Twitter: @DemographicDoom — See the video version of this episode for notes, comments, corrections & links to other resources: j.mp/dd_communism [ep 47, 30 Oct 2020]