functions of the family - conflict theories

Question 1

Marxist perspective of the family

Answer 1

the family exists only to benefit the bourgeoisie in society and maintain the exploitation and oppression of the proletariat through the reproduction of the class system

Question 2

Engels - inheritance (Marxism)

Answer 2

• before property ownership tribes used to live in ‘promiscuous hordes’
• industrialisation meant property ownership became the heart of the family
• property was passed down legitimately to male heirs
• the nuclear family was the best way to do this so men could have closer control
• this benefits capitalism as the rich inherit wealth and the poor inherit nothing

Question 3

Althusser - capitalist ideology (Marxism)

Answer 3

major function of the family is to socialise children into believing that capitalism is fair and inevitable, by exposing them to the idea that there is always someone in charge of them, as well as acting as a shelter from the harsh realities of capitalism so they are less likely to challenge the social order

Question 4

Zaretsky - alienation (Marxism)

Answer 4

women used to work alongside men in pre-industrial society but after the industrial revolution gave up work to take on the role of nurturer as men became more alienated by their work

Question 5

family as a key unit of consumption (Marxism)

Answer 5

proletariat work for bourgeoisie and spend wages on products they have made because of advertisers creating false needs to ‘keep up with the Jones’ or children to use ‘per step power’

Question 6

strengths of Marxist views of family

Answer 6

• follow logically from Marxist theory

Question 7

weaknesses of Marxist theory of family

Answer 7

• deterministic
• overly negative
• out of date
• ignore patriarchy
• overgeneralised

Question 8

Greer - radical feminism

Answer 8

believes women are directly dominated by men and men benefit the most from marriage, and sees the only answer being the removal of patriarchy replaced with matriarchy

Question 9

Marxist feminism

Answer 9

see capitalism as the root cause of patriarchy as women are expected to produce the next generation of workers and also take on the expressive role

Question 10

liberal feminism

Answer 10

recognise women are still unequal in society and this is due to ignorance and sex role stereotypes so they campaign for equality through changing attitude and laws such as the sex discrimination act

Question 11

difference feminism

Answer 11

all women experience patriarchy differently so there is no one universal solution, although most women are more likely to experience domestic violence

Question 12

strengths of feminist view of family

Answer 12

• supporting evidence including domestic violence and labour statistics

Question 13

weaknesses of feminist view of family

Answer 13

• ignores positives women experience
• out of date
• not unified approach