Family Work Among the Astors

Area of Science:

• Sociology
• Elite Studies
• Family Sociology

Background:

• Classical sociology views families as relics of the past within capitalism.
• Elite sociology often overlooks families, focusing on individual men or parental-child status transmission.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the elite family as a shared site of work, challenging traditional sociological perspectives.
• To establish the family as a central unit of analysis in elite studies, considering all members' contributions.

Main Methods:

• The study proposes a new sociological approach to elite families.
• It examines the Astor family across multiple generations to illustrate the proposed framework.
• The methodology incorporates gender and sexuality as structuring elements of family work.

Main Results:

• Families are active agents in creating, sustaining, and thriving within capitalist enterprises.
• Children's actions can significantly impact, rather than just inherit, family social positions.
• Generational and intra-generational work shapes family trajectories and social standing.

Conclusions:

• The elite family should be understood as a dynamic social phenomenon and a unit of analysis in its own right.
• Recognizing families as sites of work, influenced by gender and sexuality, offers a richer understanding of elite dynamics.
• This framework provides a novel perspective on the enduring role of families in capitalism.