Marc Tool’s Social Value Theory and the Family

Abstract

The social value theory developed by Marc Tool is a useful perspective to bring to bear upon the manifold issues of family, gender, and nurturing of children at the close of the American Century (J.R. Stanfield 1992). Tool’s theory, developed on the basis of the instrumental value theory tradition of Thorstein Veblen, John Dewey, C.E. Ayres, J.F. Foster, among others, suggests that the principle of institutional adjustment is capable of clarifying the issues posed by this dramatic social change, thereby indicating the way forward to a more effective meshing of institutional practice with current social valuations and individual development.

Although authority and status have by no rneans disappeared from modem jamily life, it is certainly true that ejJicient teamwork plays a much lorger part in the activities oj the contemporary horne ....There is less insistence ... upon status-determined rights and occupations and more concern for efficient cooperation.

C.E. Ayres 1944

I believe any economic policy must be judged by its ejJect on the jamily.

Ronald Reagan 1985

There are no jallen wornen; when wornen step out oj ploce, they always step up.

Florence King