Theories on the family - MARXISM Flashcards
As an overview - what do marxists view on the family?
Marxists see all society’s institutions , including the family, as helping to maintain class inequality and capitalism.
- For marxists the function of the family is performed solely for the purpose of a capitalist society.
- Children are socialised into and taught meritocracy which maintains their false class consciousness and therefore benefit capitalism
What are the 3 marxist point?
- inheritance of property
- unit of consumption
- socialisation / bath theory
- ideological functions
What does Engels argue about inheritance of property?
- no family existed but a promiscuous horde of sexual freedom when means of production was own by all
- monogamy became essential because of the inheritance of private property - men had to be certain of the paternity of their children
- in order to ensure their legitimate heirs inherited from them.
- So society shifted to monogamous relationships - as fathers able to be certain heirs were legitimate
Therefore the growth of private property caused for a shift from polygamy –> monogamy
So what did monogamous relationships do ?
Monogamous relationships protected claims from property as heirs were rightful.
What do marxists argue about how women will receive liberation from patriarchal control?
- Marxist argue that the overthrow of capitalism /the means of production is the only way women will achieve liberation from patriarchal control.
- A classless society will only be possible if communal means of production
- Will no longer be a patriarchal family - as no need to transmit private property
Engels evaluation
- Feminist critics - criticise he sees the role of women being influenced by solely economics - however is patriarchal control is another contributing factor
- Little evidence of the promiscuous horde described as pre- dating monogamy
- Infidelity still exists - monogamy relationships does not stop cheating
What does Althusser suggest about the family?
It is a form of ideological state apparatus used by the bourgiousie to maintain and reproduce capitalism
How does the family reproduce the capital ideology? - Althusser
- Parental power over children within family unit accustoms them to believe that there always has to be someone in charge → prepares them for working life in which they will accept orders from capitalist employers
- This socialisation is therefore policed through other agencies ie education/ welfare/ social services that - check ‘children are brought up properly’ within capitalist ways
Althusser evaluation
- Are families really influenced by elite capitalist - subcultural values of different family types ie WC remains strong
- Ignores the meanings people assign to their own actions - individual interpretations of norms and values families should display
What does Zaretsky argue ?
- criticises parsons warm bath theory
- this is an illusion in which family is not able to meet its member’s needs
- Parents socialise kids into idea inequality and hierarchy is inevitable → so when in the work place to accept order from capitalist employers - benefits capitalism
What do Marxists mean by the family is a unit of consumption?
- marxists use the family to generate profit for ruling classes
- Capitalism exploits labour = making a profit by selling products of their labour for more than it pays - surplus profit
How is the family a unit of consumption
Family plays a major role in generating profits for capitalist as it is a large market for consumer goods : - ie parents pay 227k on children by their 21
- Advertisers urge families to buy all latest products to keep up with joneses
- Media target children who use ‘pester power’ to get parents to spend more
- Children who lack latest clothes are mocked/ stigmatised by peers → will experience relative deprivation - constant comparison to others
How much does a parents pay for children until they are 21 ?
227k
Marxist general criticisms
- Marxist criticisms
Tends to assume the nuclear family is dominant in society - ignores the wide variety of family structures found today - POST MODERNISTS - argue its an outdated theory - Feminists - argue the focus on class and capitalism undermines the importance of gender within the family → in their view gender differences are more fundamental as family serves needs of men not capitalism
- Functionalists - argue marxists ignore the real benefits for its members ie reproduction and economic assets
- Not all children taught to be passive and docile - ie willis lads ( subcultures aware dual consciousness → aware they will never make it in school / knew not meritocratic)
- Fails to acknowledge the individual benefits the family provides - ie Functionalist views
