Family and Civilization

by Carle C. Zimmerman, Allan C. Carlson (Introduction), James Kurth (Editor)

In Family and Civilization , the distinguished Harvard sociologist Carle Zimmerman demonstrates the close and causal connections between the rise and fall of different types of families and the rise and fall of civilizations, particularly ancient Greece and Rome, medieval and modern Europe, and the United States. Zimmerman traces the evolution of family structure from tribes and clans to extended and large nuclear families to the smaller, often broken families of today. And he shows the consequences of each structure for bearing and rearing of children, for religion, law, and everyday life, and for the fate of civilization itself.

Originally published in 1947, this compelling analysis predicted many of today's controversies and trends concerning youth violence and depression, abortion, and homosexuality, the demographic collapse of the West, and the displacement of peoples. This new edition has been edited and abridged by James Kurth of Swarthmore College. It includes essays on the text by Kurth and Bryce Christensen and an introduction by Allan C. Carlson.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Sociology, Philosophy, Politics, Cultural, Family

425 pages, Paperback

First published January 25, 2008

Reviews

[Griffin Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to acquire the full (800 page) version, which is not listed on Goodreads.

A thorough, fascinating, and informative study on the various forms the family has tended to take throughout ‘Western’ Civilization (Greece, Rome, and modern Europe/ USA) and the corollary social/ cultural conditions of that these societies have exhibited. The author does bring in relevant examples from other civilizations as well (Egypt, China, India, etc.).

[A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Line this one up with Spengler's The Decline of the West (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...), mix in a large amount of Sarraf et. al's Modernity and Cultural Decline (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...) and you'll have a cocktail strong enough to realize why the West is Declining at the moment. You'll get various ideas about what we can and cannot do about it (2/3 say we're pretty much done for, in a macrocosm that we cannot control the workings of), but thou shalt be prepared.

[Edward]

"The man wrote in the late 1940's and he was clearly prophetic. He was off in his prediction of the collapse of the West (he thought end of 20th century) but his analysis that the West can not rejuvenate itself until and unless the family unit is delivered from its current hyper atomism was spot on.

Indeed, I'm so convinced by Zimmerman's argument that I am inclined to think the best thing we could do would be to hasten the collapse by supporting the Feminism, GLBT agenda.

Of course I could never do that but Zimmerman's makes the case that throughout world history no civilization has ever rejuvenated itself once it has arrived at this point of decline in the family.

Zimmerman comments that healthy families will prioritize proles (children) , fidelity (faithfulness) and Sacramentum (indivisibility of family ties as a consequence of faith in God). This suggests that the restoration of the family can not happen without restoration of Biblical Christianity and the restoration of Biblical Christianity will be identified, in part, by a return to Christian marriages having many children."

- Pastor Bret L. McAtee

[Christian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carle C. Zimmerman's magnum opus, "Family and Civilization," first published in 1947, represents a groundbreaking exploration that meticulously unravels the intricate interconnections between family structures and the rise and fall of civilizations. This sociological masterpiece not only delves into historical patterns but also puts forth a compelling thesis that echoes with enduring relevance, providing profound insights into the contemporary landscape of families and marriages.

Central to Zimmerman's analysis are the three archetypes of family structures – the trustee family, the domestic family, and the atomistic family – each serving as a lens through which he examines the societal dynamics. The trustee family, characterized by resilient intergenerational bonds and a commitment to community welfare, is lauded as a stabilizing force for societies, fostering collective well-being. In contrast, the domestic family emphasizes individualism and private life, signifying a societal shift towards a more self-centered orientation. The atomistic family, marked by extreme individualism and weakened family ties, stands in association with the decline of civilizations. Zimmerman, employing a historical lens, contends that shifts in family dynamics play a pivotal role in shaping the destiny of societies, drawing upon a rich tapestry of diverse cultures and historical epochs to substantiate his thesis.

Political and ideological perspectives inevitably color the interpretation of Zimmerman's work. Conservatives may find resonance in his emphasis on the trustee family and the critique of atomistic tendencies. The call for a return to robust intergenerational bonds and a focus on community welfare aligns seamlessly with conservative values, which prioritize societal stability, tradition, and shared values as fundamental to societal well-being.

Liberals, conversely, may appreciate Zimmerman's acknowledgment of diverse family structures and the positive attributes associated with the trustee family. The critique of extreme individualism may resonate with liberal concerns about social cohesion and inequality, providing common ground for discussion.

However, Zimmerman's secular and deterministic approach may pose challenges for readers seeking a more nuanced understanding that incorporates religious or theological dimensions. The book's historical determinism might be met with skepticism from those who emphasize the role of human agency, divine providence, or a broader range of societal influences in shaping the course of civilizations.

In essence, "Family and Civilization" stands as a thought-provoking and comprehensive contribution to the sociological discourse on family and societal development. Zimmerman's work transcends ideological boundaries, providing a rich ground for dialogue and critical reflection. Irrespective of one's political or religious orientation, the book serves as an invitation to explore the complex interplay between family structures and the trajectory of civilizations, making it not just a historical document but a timeless and profound intellectual endeavor. It beckons readers to engage in a contemplative journey, pondering the intricate dynamics shaping societies across time and stimulating a deeper understanding of the profound impacts families wield on the course of human civilization.

[Kenneth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an extensive and comprehensive review of family structure throughout human history. Zimmerman goes into extensive detail on every aspect of the family and how family structure relates to civilization. He explains that civilization always begins with what he calls the trustee family structure, where the family is the law and is the self-contained governing unit of society. The danger of the trustee family structure is the likelihood of blood feuds between families since there is no higher law than the family itself. He cites one prominent example of two families that all but wiped each other out in medieval France. The trustee family always evolves into the domestic family, where the state or church has the final say in marriage law, and where society tends to be more concerned with prosperity and building civilization. Prosperity and the domestic family always evolve into the atomistic family, where personal pleasure and desires take precedence over family responsibilities and the family begins to disintegrate until civilization collapses. He traces the rise and fall of both Greek and Roman civilization while bringing other civilizations in for comparison. The pattern is always the same: the trustee family creates a civilization, becomes a domestic family as civilization grows and prospers, and the then disintegrates into an atomistic family as civilization collapses.

He does a very good job of explaining how and why the feudal system developed and recreated the trustee family structure after Rome collapsed. If you want to understand family structure in a deeply historical context, this book will give you that understanding.

[Gavin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Summary:

In the 1940s, Carle Zimmerman captured his detailed analysis of various types of family structures throughout world history in his book Family and Civilization. These structures intimately influence and are influenced by law, culture, and religion. Zimmerman's analysis suggests 3 types of family structures—The trustee family, the domestic family, and the atomistic family.

The trustee family exists in the form of tribes and clans. These families are closely bound together across generations and have significant power in their respective societies. Honor and duty maintain order within families, while blood vengeance maintains social order between families. In the trustee family system, marriage is understood as the uniting of two families instead of two individuals. Intermarriage with close relatives is common and individual freedom is limited.

The domestic family is a weakened version of the trustee family. It arises when governments and churches promote the social order with less violence than the methods employed by the trustee family. Marriage in the domestic family system is not between families, but between husband and wife as equals. It is most aligned with the Biblical teaching: “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh." The domestic family “satisfies to some extent the natural desires for freedom from family bonds and for individualism, yet it also preserves sufficient social structure” for civilization to flourish. According to Zimmerman,

“There are wider possibilities of types of civilization under the domestic family, than under the trustee type…
“It is no accident that world religions and decent strong governments are the handmaidens of great civilizations. The world’s great civilizations have been those where first religion and then government has controlled the trustee family, taken over its nonfamily functions, and given the domestic family and the free individual a chance to develop.”

Throughout history, the domestic family has been a transitional social arrangement. Without outside influence, it gives way to the atomistic family type which is a weakened version of the domestic family. Under this regime, the individual and not the family is seen as sacred. Duty to family is replaced by romantic love. Marriage is seen not as a sacred bond or covenant, but as a contract enforced by government laws. “Husband, wife, and children no longer ‘belong’ to each other in any real sense. They are not fundamentally responsible for each other.” Under an atomistic family regime child-bearing decreases, divorce and extramarital sex lose their stigma and increase, respect for elders decreases, and the older system of family values is viewed with antagonism. Individuals are seen more as “agents of the government” “bound least to family obligations”. (Think of the 2012 Obama campaign's Life of Julia video) In the atomistic family, the emotional desires and needs of the adults are seen as more important than any social function associated with marriage. Once a society has accepted the ideals of the atomistic family, there is no reason why the definition of marriage should not be expanded to include new forms of marriage between consenting adults. According to Zimmerman, civilizations that turn toward the atomistic family type tend to experience decadence, decline, and crisis.

Changes to the family system among Hindu, Confucian, Buddhist, Jewish, Egyptian, Persian, and Muslim civilizations are primarily “within the trustee and domestic conceptions of the family bond.” The most extreme changes towards the atomistic family have occurred in the West accompanied by a decline in the influence of the church and an increase in secular power of the state.

While changes away from the trustee type and domestic type typically happen over many centuries, changes away from the atomistic family type can be quite rapid. Whenever the atomistic structure clashes with the stronger trustee family system, the trustee family takes over. Zimmerman gives detailed examples such as the Greek Byzantine family which fell to the Slavs, Balkans, and Arabs, and the Late Roman Civilization which fell to the German and English barbarians.

Zimmerman argues that child-bearing is the “fundamental independent variable about which the other family functions evolve and upon which they are inescapably dependent…If there are children in the family, the other major functions are inescapable.” These dependent functions include fidelity to one’s family, family unity, and transmitting values to children. If Zimmerman is correct that “children are the fundamental basis of familism” then birth rates can provide a proxy measure for the health of the domestic family in society. As birthrates plummet in the West, Zimmerman made this dire observation:

“A decay in familism is a decay in the social system of biological reproduction. Consequently those societies in which familism has decayed are those that are themselves decaying—and very rapidly. The decay of the family becomes a fundamental “cause” or vehicular agent for the further decay of the society…This is exactly what happened in Greece and Rome in the later periods, and this is exactly what is happening in our Western society today. No amount of hemming and hawing, or hiding our heads like ostriches, can disguise this fact.”

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly prophetic from an intellectual point of view. The reiteration of the cycles in history as reflecting the rise and fall of 3 family types is a useful paradigm. Tying this in with the rise and fall of certain empires and historical movements makes the analysis comprehensive and exhaustive. Fills in the gaps for me and clarifies certain modern lines of thought to within the overall context of the fall of civilizations especially as applicable to the American 20th century one. It is easy to see the road he feels we're on and I don't disagree. Hopefully family values of the highest order will return and disaster will be averted.

[Ray Wilkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although first published in 1947, then reprinted in 2008, I found the work uniquely relevant to today. I agree with Zimmerman that there are basically three models of family found throughout history; Trustee-Domestic-Atomistic. The trustee system being the most collectivist and the atomistic model the most individualist. In the middle, is the domestic. Where the basic unit is Father-Mother-Children. Rather than yielding to a larger tribe or clan, the domestic family operates under public and social institutions, particularly, Church and State. In the atomistic model the individual is everything. There is no greater meaning to be found other than in oneself. The lasting marital bond and procreation are unimportant. This leads to a questioning of the relevance of all social institutions.

In the downfall of once great civilizations, one can see the progression from trustee, to domestic, to atomistic. Sometimes societies revert back to a trustee system and this is especially true when law and order breaks down and people look for greater security. At other times the atomistic rises and replaces the domestic. This can be seen in Greece, Rome, and 19th century Europe as well as in America.

A good read for anyone interested in Family, Society, and Law.

[William Kohl · Rating 5 out of 5]

With careful attention to historical works describing Western Family structures past and present, from Greek prehistory to modern Western civilization, Zimmerman identifies three major types of family structure: Trustee, Paternalistic, and Atomistic. He then shows the close relationship between each family type and the social context within which each existed. Zimmerman accepts the idea of the rise and fall of civilizations and identifies four periods of a civilization's life cycle beginning with a Dark Ages period within which commerce, labor, and education are controlled at the local level by kingships, baronets, etc. During this period the Trustee Family Type is predominate. This is followed by a second transitional period marked by the birth of a new civilization (think Greece 600BCE, Rome 510BCE, and our current Western Civilization circa 1500AD) within which the Trustee and Paternalistic family types coexist. This is followed by a period during which the civilization realizes its potential with the Paternalistic family type dominating. Another transitional period follows this and is marked by the predominance of the Atomistic family type, which coincides with a period of the decline of that civilization. Following this another 'dark ages' period emerges. This book is a fascinating read for anyone who loves history.

[Nelson Sanchez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating read. Zimmerman lays out a convincing case regarding the structure of the family having a strong causal effect on the rise and fall of civilizations.

Combatting the dominating view within the field of family sociology which says that the structure of the family has constantly “progressed” up until what we have today, Zimmerman instead shows how Trustee Familism eventually developed into domestic familism, then ultimately degrades into atomic familism. Initiating the cycle all over again.

The way which he weaves in primary sources from the Greek and Roman periods to back up his theory is worthy of a scholar. He also goes to task against the “sophists” of his day who, like the sophists in the ancient civilizations, would propose degradations to the family despite evidence of harm. Modern Sophists proposing things like easy divorce, polygamy, childless unions, licentiousness as viable forms of the family are just like the sophists of late Greece and the Late Roman periods. The patterns seen in those civilizations are playing out in the current Western landscape.

The read could get a bit dry at times, but it was well worth the effort. Highly recommend.

[Aaron Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

The atomization of the family structure causes civilization to collapse.

[Sterling Foley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great history of the family. I especially found the domestic type the most interesting. I thought he provided a poor and disappointing solution.

[Luís Branco · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've gone through different books on this subject, but nothing can be compared to it. This book takes the reader from the genesis of the family and civilization to its apocalyptic destination. It is a solid and impartial study on the history of the family, the end might be scary and pessimist, but not unrealistic. We just need to look at the flowing of the river and predict that it will end up in an ocean. I do recommend the reading!