mark views on family Flashcards
what is the markist view on the family?
Marxists belie that the family is an institution that reproduces capitalism and class inequality which is based on the ownership of private property and the consumption of commodities
name 3 functions of the nuclear family
- SOCIAL CONTROL , Marxists see the nuclear family as a tool to socially control its members and to submit to the ruling class thorough the teaching of norms and values created by the bourgisee
- CONSUMPTION OF COMODTIES , Marxist see the nuclear family as a core target for capitalist companies therefore being the main source of its profits and selling that American family dream
- REPRODUCE UNEQUAL CLASS REALATIONSHIPS- rulling class family networks reporduce hirarchy and inequality and divison between classes , can afford to keep up and give in to pester power
name some Marxists theorists
EAGELS - private ownership of property
ALTHUSSER - ISA controlling behaviour of working class
ZARKETSY - economic role of the family props up capitalism
what is EAGLES Theory ?
eagles argues that the private ownership of property has introduced monogyny in relationships as wealth needed a way to be transferred to heirs , which legitimised capitalism and the control of women’s sexuality as this ensured to a man that it was his rightful heir
what are some evaluations to EAGELS theory
- feminists would agree to an extent as it proves that women were oppressed due to male desire and their position in society however they would also criticise engles point because it suggests that the role and control of women was solely due to economics and property when in fact it was much deeper than that
- outdated , some would argue that this is an outdated theory because society has progressed and private ownership of property is not as important , different types of relationships other thn monogamy
- little evidence
explain Althusser theory
Althusser believes that ideological state apparatus control the behaviour of the working class through institutions like the family as elites suggest the way in which the family is organised , what they learn what is socially acceptable etc which is passed down through the family especially through socialisation which teachers these norms and values of the elites
what are some evaluations of Althusser theory
- assumes that every family is similar which is false because now there are many different family types with different norms and values such as the extended family from different cultures
- postmodernist would argue that this ignores the choice and freedom people have now in socialisation and the teaching of norms and values and individualism
what is zaretsky idea on the family ?
zaretsky argues that role of the family is economical and is used to prop up capitalism through the promotion of false class consciousness
through:
PARENTAL POWER , reinforces age patriarchy and the idea that some is always going to be in charge this allows members on the working class to be familiar with hierarchy and more likely to submit to a capitalist society
BUFFER ZONE - this idea that the exploitation and tiring harsh nature of the workplace creates a safe haven of the family so when workers come home they feel like they can be themselves zaretsky calls this an ideological illusion which in reality is not there and goes of the back of the exploitation of women in the household ,
CONSUMPTION OF COMODITIES , the idea that capitalist exploit workers by selling them the family dream
What is the overview of the Marxists persective on the family?
Marxism is a structural conflict theory that argues that institutions such as the family work in the interests of the elites because they have economic power.
What has stopped the proletariat from revolution?
The family because it performs a function of ideological control convincing the masses that the present capitalist economic system is good
What are some agreements that Marxists have with Functionalists?
- They agreed that the family changes with society eg the nuclear family emerges because of the needs of capitalism not because of the needs of industrialisation
What is a concept used by Althusser?
-The family an a unit consumption
What is meant by the family is a Unit of consumption?
Because capitalists bussiness owners want to keep the wages of the workers limited so they can make a profit they creat high demand for their good eg
1. Families must keep up with material goods and services by acquiring by their neighbours and peers, this is is known as “keeping up with the joneses” This has significant influence on parents
2. The media target children in there advertising who in turn persuade their parents through pest power to buy them expensive gifts. This is particularly bad in the UK where there
few legal restrictions on adverts aimed at children; in Sweden advertising aimed at children under
12 is illegal.
What are some overall criticisms of Marxists?
Too deterministic - it assumes people passively accept socialisation and family life, and that
the future is pre-determined.
• Ignores family diversity in capitalist society, and that many women now work full time as
well
• Feminists argue that the Marxist focus on class ignores the inequalities between men and
women, which is the real source of female oppression
