1.2 Marxism Flashcards
What is the function of the family according to Engelsand how does this help to maintain capitalism?
Argued need for family arose when societies started to value private property. With the rise of property an organised system of inheritance became necessary - father to maintain their wealth and keep it within the kinship group rather than being distributed amongst the community . Therefore, the need for monogamy rose - Therefore, family serves the interest of capitalism.
What is the function of the family according to Althusserand how does this help to maintain capitalism? (Socialisation)
The family is described as an ideological apparatus – this means it socialises people to think in a way that justifies inequality and encourages people to accept the capitalist system as fair, natural and unchangeable.
a hierarchy in most families which teaches children to accept there will always be someone in “authority” who they must obey, which then mirrors the hierarchy of boss-worker in paid employment in later life
What are the Unit of Consumption functions of the family according to Contemporary Marxist Zaretsky and how does it help to maintain capitalism?
owners want to keep workers’ wages down so they can make a profit, but to do so they must also be able to sell the workers goods
1) Families must keep up with the material goods this is known “Keeping up with the Joneses”. There are significant amounts of advertising and TV programmes influencing parents in this way
2) The media and companies target children in their advertising who then persuade their parents through pester power to buy more expensive items. In Sweden advertising aimed at children under 12 is illegal.
What is the Cushioning Effect functions of the family according to Contemporary Marxist Zaretsky and how does it help to maintain capitalism?
Similar to Parson’s Warmth Bath theory -
Zaretsky argues family helps maintain capitalist power and privilege as it results in a denial of the exploitation faced in the workplace as it is soothed by the family members and this means the revolution is unable to happen.
Marxism is a ‘structural conflict’ perspective
In what other ways does the family support capitalism and maintain ruling class power?
Creating the next generation of workers.Reserve labour force –Women
What are the strengths of Marxism compared to functionalist view?
Discusses the idea that the nuclear family is a social construction and not necessarily good for society.
Discusses the idea that the nuclear family is a social construction and not necessarily good for society.
What are the strengths of Marxism compared to functionalist view?
- Discusses the idea that the nuclear family is a social construction and not necessarily good for society.
- Explains the existence of the “dark side of the family”
Overall Criticisms of Marxism
–> Deterministic –it assumes people passively accept socialisation and family life, and that the future is pre-determined. There are plenty of families who reject the consumerist lifestyle and many families bring their children up to be independent thinkers.
–> Feminists argue that the Marxist focus on social class inequalities downplays the role of patriarchy, which is the real source of female oppression. Feminists would point out that sex inequalities exist within all families, irrespective of social class background.
–> Marxism ignores the benefits of a nuclear family e.g. both parents support the children. The New Right point out that this is the most functional type of environment in which to raise children, and the nuclear family is found in most societies around the world, suggesting it is something people choose.
Define Ideological state apparatus mean
social institutions such as education, the churches, family, media, trade unions, and law, which were formally outside state control but which served to transmit the values of the state.
