Family Dynamics in Dystopian Societies compares how authoritarian leaders manipulate traditional and non-traditional family structures in fictional dystopian societies, like Bend Sinister, The Handmaid's Tale, Brave New World, and 1984, to establish control over individuals. Since the conflict between the individual and society is one of the greatest conflicts in the human experiences it is important to understand how societies exploit familial bonds to control individuals. The study of dystopian literature provides evidence as to how dictatorships, like Cuba, continue to exist when many citizens detest the government, yet refuse to revolt.

The purpose of this study is to identify and examine through literature universal techniques despotic governments use to control individuals through manipulating family structures, either through exploiting primordial familial bonds, altering family dynamics, or attempting to dehumanize the individual completely by eradicating the family unit. These same universal techniques are often used to oppress people in all societies.