Theories Of The Family - MARXISM

Question 1

What is capitalism ?

Answer 1

Capitalism according to marxists is a society divided into 2 opposing and unequal classes:

• The capital class (BOURGEOISIE), is a minority who own means of production
• the working class, whose labour the capitalists exploit for profit

In a capitalist society, goods and businesses are owned privately for the purpose of profit (surplus value)

Question 2

How do Marxists view the family?

Answer 2

They see all society’s institutions as helping to MAINTAIN CLASS INEQUALITY and CAPITALISM
The functions of the family are performed purely for the BENEFIT OF THE CAPITALIST SYSTEM

Question 3

Inheritance of private property- Friedrich Engels

Answer 3

The family developed so that MEN COULD CONTROL CHILDREN AND WOMEN, and allow them to PASS PROPERTY to their biological offspring

Question 4

Inheritance of property

Answer 4

As capitalist societies began to emerge so did the development of private property and a class of men who secured control of the means of production. This brought about the PATRIARCHAL MONOGAMOUS NUCLEAR FAMILY.

Question 5

According to Freidrich Engels, MONOGAMY….

Answer 5

Became essential because of the inheritance of private property

Question 6

Monogamy

Answer 6

Being in a relationship with one person

Question 7

Patriarchal monogomous family resulted in

Answer 7

“World historical defeat of the female sex”” where women have been turned into “a mere instrument for the production of children”

Question 8

Unit of consumption- Eli Zaretsky

Answer 8

The family is a prop to the capitalist system. The unpaid work of housewives support future generations of workers.
The family consumes the products produced by the BOURGEOISIE (ruling class) to make profits. The family supports workers to help them carry on working.

Question 9

The family plays a major role in GENERATING PROFITS since it is an important market for the SALE OF CONSUMER GOODS:

Answer 9

• advertisers urge families to “keep up with the joneses” by consuming all the latest products
• The media target children, who use “pester power”
• children are mocked or stigmatised if they lack the lashes “must-have” clothes/ gadgets

Question 10

IDEOLOGICAL FUNCTION - Nicos poulantzas

Answer 10

The family is part of the superstructure,part of the ideological state apparatus used to CONTROL AND CREATE VALuES TO SUPPORT CAPITALISM

That the family is nothing more than “an ideological conditioning device” CHILDREN LEARN TO CONFORM AND BECOME COOPERATIVE AND EXPLOITED WORKERS

Question 11

Ideological functions

Answer 11

1. A set of IDEAS OR BELIEFS THAT JUSTIFY INEQUALITY and MAINTAIN THE CAPITALIST SYSTEM by persuading people to accept it as FAIR, NATURAL or UNCHANGEABLE
2. The family SOCIALISES children into the idea that HIERARCHY AND INEQUALITY is INEVITABLE

Question 12

Eli Zaretsky 1976

Answer 12

Family also provides a n”haven from the harsh world”m of capitalism, although it is an illusion and is based upon the DOMESTIC SERVITUDE OF WOMEN

Question 13

Our 3 main Marxist functions of the family are:

Answer 13

Inheritance of property
Unit of consumption
Ideological function

Question 14

EVALUATION OF MARXISM- limitation:

Answer 14

That the nuclear family is dominant and ignore the wide inc variety of family’s structures in society today. Family breakdown may be better however as divorce is expensive and more money maintaining family relationships and later on forming new families.

Question 15

Limitation of the Marxist view on family is it ignores the feminist perspective:

Answer 15

Underestimates the importance of gender inequalities. Feminists are Marxists downplay the role of patriarchy and - FEMAle oppression

Question 16

Limitation of the Marxist view on family is it ignores the benefits of the family:

Answer 16

E.g intimacy and support.
The new rights point out that it is an environment to raise children - that the nuclear family is typical around the world suggesting it is something people choose

Question 17

Limitation of the Marxist view on family is it is too deterministic

Answer 17

It assumes people passively accept socialisation and family life, that the future is pre-determined.
Some families are anti-capitalist and socialise their children to be CRITICAL of the ruling class

Question 18

Evaluation of Marxism a strength

Answer 18

Useful for highlighting the importance of economic influences of family life. It raises the possibility that the family as an institution benefits some social groups (higher classes) more than others