Lesson 7 - Marxism And The Family

Question 1

Engles - development of nuclear family

Answer 1

-argues its as a result of industrialisation and the growing trend to own private property
-women become ‘glorified prostitutes’ - producers of heirs in exchange for economic security

Question 2

Ideological functions of the family for capitalism

Answer 2

-socialise children into the idea of hierarchy
-paternal power over children gives idea that someone is always in charge

Question 3

Zarestky - ideological functions(disagrees) - family ‘haven’

Answer 3

-family offers ‘haven’ from harsh and exploitative world of capitalism
-functions are an illusion and based on domestic servitude of women

Question 4

Unit of consumption

Answer 4

-Marxists - upper class capitalists exploit labour of workers as they make money on the products
-family will generally need to buy the products so they are consuming the goods made and aiding the profit

Question 5

Criticisms

Answer 5

-Marxists tend to assume the nuclear family is the dominant type of family in capitalism
-they ignore other family types
-feminists - they have to much emphasis on class and not enough on gender
- the family serves the interests of men not capitalism
-functionalists - Marxists ignore benefits of family

Question 6

Criticisms

Answer 6

-Marxists tend to assume the nuclear family is the dominant type of family in capitalism
-they ignore other family types
-feminists - they have to much emphasis on class and not enough on gender
- the family serves the interests of men not capitalism
-functionalists - Marxists ignore benefits of family