Families and Households - Marxism

Question 1

• family developed so men could be certain of the paternity of children and marriage allowed them to control women’s sexuality
• allowed confidence into if they were passing their property and fortunes onto their biological offspring

Answer 1

Engels (1881)

Question 2

family is part of the superstructure of society and is part of the ideological state apparatus
its used to create shared values which support the capitalist system and the position of the ruling class

supported by David Cooper who sees family as ‘an ideological conditioning device’ where children learn to conform to authority so they become cooperative and easy to exploit in the workforce

Answer 2

Poulantzas

Question 3

A03 of marxism

Answer 3

• some families are anti capitalist and socialise children into critical beliefs of the ruling class
• FEMINISTS criticise for neglect of exploitation of women
• POSTMODERNISTS criticise for ignoring family diversity and different types of families in todays society
• FUNCTIONALISTS criticise for ignoring benefits of family e.g intimacy and support