Karl Marx strived to bring an understanding to capitalism and commodity exchanges during the 1800s. According to his theory, a commodity is anything that fulfills a want or need (Marx, 1). Commodities have different types of value assigned to them. Use-value, is described as the utility of an object. Whereas the exchange value of an object is the value generated by trade (Marx, 2). A commodity becomes valuable once it is exchanged for something else of value. As discussed in class, exchanges occur because of a want or a need. Following suit with the idea that commodity exchange is driven by individual’s wants/needs is Marx’s theory that labor is a commodity. The employer needs someone to work for them, and the laborer needs wages in order to live. Therefore, an exchange occurs in which the laborer sells hours of their life to the employer for a wage (204). Finally, since laborers are mere commodities to employers, as they become less useful and productive they are easily replaced by new laborers (Marx, 206).
Though his theories were derived from an entirely different era, they can be applied to current day exchanges. Today it seems the more exclusive a commodity or service, the more an individual is willing to do or trade for it. Whether or not the trade is for money, people will do whatever they can to get the best of any commodity. This is blatantly obvious through the obsession with technology, designer clothing, cars, and beauty products. Beyond material things, people are willing to pay a lot of money and travel for top of the line skills from doctors to schools and instructors.
Though his theories were derived from an entirely different era, they can be applied to current day exchanges. Today it seems the more exclusive a commodity or service, the more an individual is willing to do or trade for it. Whether or not the trade is for money, people will do whatever they can to get the best of any commodity. This is blatantly obvious through the obsession with technology, designer clothing, cars, and beauty products. Beyond material things, people are willing to pay a lot of money and travel for top of the line skills from doctors to schools and instructors.
Dance Moms is exemplary of parents’ need to have the best of the best instructors, and how much they are willing to trade and sacrifice in order to get it. The drama-filled reality show, which airs on the Lifetime network, showcases dance studio owner Abby Lee Miller and her junior elite dance team. The entire premise of the show is the lives of the dance moms and their young daughters who dance for the Abby Lee Dance Company (ALDC). Abby is quite strict and arguably ruthless when dealing with the young dancers; whilst the dance moms sit around questioning “Why do we bring our children here to be hurt by their mean, evil dance teacher?”. At the same time, Abby gets frustrated with the rude moms and often threatens to get new dancers. Well ladies, let’s have Karl Marx’s social theories on commodity exchange and labor take a crack at this question that has been going on for three seasons now.
The dance moms take their children to ALDC because Abby offers excellent training that turns young dancers into professional dancers. She has something that the dance moms want. On the other hand, the dance moms have something that Abby wants: talented kids. This is the premise for the exchange. The dance moms get a renowned dance teacher that will hopefully turn their kids into professionals. While Abby gets talented kids to represent her company and keep her business reputable and well-known. Keeping the money factor out of the picture, this exchange is quite simple. It’s a Marxian commodity exchange based on the wants and needs of each party.
Another Marx theory that is evident on the show is the idea of labor as a commodity. The girls, in essence, work for Abby. They dance every weekend at different competitions representing the ALDC. The girls bring home trophies and keep the name of the company in good status in the dance world. In exchange for dancing, the girls get the expertise of their dance teacher to help build skills for their future, hopeful careers. It’s not a monetary wage they earn, but nonetheless they are laborers and a commodity to Abby. As the individual dancers (commodities) become less useful to Abby, she replaces them with new dancers. Abby is well aware of the power of replacement she holds and one of her common remarks is “everyone’s replaceable”.
So why do the dance moms keep bringing their children back to such a strict and mean dance teacher that supposedly treats their children awfully? It’s an exchange relationship based on what each one wants. No matter how awful the moms think it is, they want the best instructor for their kids and they are willing to put up with just about anything to get it.
photo credit: http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51JCr98h9SL._SX500_.jpg
Video Clip: http://www.mylifetime.com/shows/dance-moms/video/season-3/episode-5/dance-moms-episode-5-preview
For full episodes: http://www.mylifetime.com/shows/dance-moms
The dance moms take their children to ALDC because Abby offers excellent training that turns young dancers into professional dancers. She has something that the dance moms want. On the other hand, the dance moms have something that Abby wants: talented kids. This is the premise for the exchange. The dance moms get a renowned dance teacher that will hopefully turn their kids into professionals. While Abby gets talented kids to represent her company and keep her business reputable and well-known. Keeping the money factor out of the picture, this exchange is quite simple. It’s a Marxian commodity exchange based on the wants and needs of each party.
Another Marx theory that is evident on the show is the idea of labor as a commodity. The girls, in essence, work for Abby. They dance every weekend at different competitions representing the ALDC. The girls bring home trophies and keep the name of the company in good status in the dance world. In exchange for dancing, the girls get the expertise of their dance teacher to help build skills for their future, hopeful careers. It’s not a monetary wage they earn, but nonetheless they are laborers and a commodity to Abby. As the individual dancers (commodities) become less useful to Abby, she replaces them with new dancers. Abby is well aware of the power of replacement she holds and one of her common remarks is “everyone’s replaceable”.
So why do the dance moms keep bringing their children back to such a strict and mean dance teacher that supposedly treats their children awfully? It’s an exchange relationship based on what each one wants. No matter how awful the moms think it is, they want the best instructor for their kids and they are willing to put up with just about anything to get it.
photo credit: http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51JCr98h9SL._SX500_.jpg
Video Clip: http://www.mylifetime.com/shows/dance-moms/video/season-3/episode-5/dance-moms-episode-5-preview
For full episodes: http://www.mylifetime.com/shows/dance-moms