ABSTRACT
In general, it is possible to visualize the history of the relations between the peasant family and non-peasant society as a process by which the economic and mental isolation of the former is gradually broken down. The ‘pure’ peasant household is autarchical and largely autonomous. In ‘mixed’ peasant society, the peasant household becomes economically dependent to an increasing degree upon first the market-town and eventually upon more distant centres. The peasant household at the same time has to admit changes in its traditional mental and moral outlook resulting from the contacts brought about by its new social and economic position.
