A Marxist Perspective on the Family

Question 1

According to Engels, how does the nuclear family help protect the wealth of the bourgeoisie?

Answer 1

• Parents make sure their wealth and property is passed on to their children and kept within the family.
• Rich people stay rich and get richer.

Question 2

According to Zaretsky (1976), what are the three ways in which the nuclear family benefits capitalism.

Answer 2

• Primary socialisation in the family teaches working class children to be obedient and respect authority which creates the perfect worker for employers.
• Workers are unlikely to take strike action because they can’t risk losing their jobs and their pay.
• Material consumption ~ TVs/Holidays/Cars.

Question 3

What are some criticisms of Zaretsky’s (1976) ideas?

Answer 3

• Assumes that working class parents teach their children to accept exploitation when some are actually very political and raise their children to fight back.
• Marxists deny that the proletariat find pleasure and enjoyment in their families ~ the nuclear family provides bonds that can be found as rewarding.