Marxism

Question 1

Ao1
Socialisation

Answer 1

For Marxists like Althusser the family is an ideological state apparatus passing on the norms and the values of capitalism to the next generation

The family persuade people to accept capitalism as natural and unchangeable
One way in which the family does this is by socialising children to accept the idea of hierarchy and that inequality is inevitable.
Parental power of children accustoms them to the idea that there will always be someone in charge

Question 2

Ao3 socialisation

Answer 2

Feminist argue that Althusser ignores the fact that such a family ideology supports patriarchy since it suggests that men and woman should have different rules in the family and society

Similarly, functionalist reject the view that the family socialise children into the capitalist ideology
Instead, the family enables children to internalise the shared culture of society to enable them to become functioning adults which is beneficial to all.

Question 3

Ao1 economic

Answer 3

Zaretsky states the family perform an ideological function by offering an Haven in the harsh and exploited world of capitalism, and this is outside where the workers can be themselves and have a private life
This is also known as a safety valve, where the ruling class require women to take stresses and frustration of the working men caused by the exploitation in the jobs that they do for the ruling class
In this sense, women are buy one get one free for the ruling class

Question 4

Ao3
Economic

Answer 4

Radical feminists argue that the Marxist emphasis on social class and capitalism underestimates the importance of gender inequalities within the family.
For feminists the family primarily serves the interests of men rather than capitalism.
Outadated according to liberal women now work

Question 5

Ao1 reproduction

Answer 5

In the Marxist view, one of the functions of family performs for capitalism is the reproduction of the labour forces

The family creates more members of society or more workers to help the bourgeoisie create profits

These are not new members of society as functionalists see them, but wage slaves planned for exploitation in capitalism

Question 6

Ao3 reproduction

Answer 6

Functionalist argue that Marxist ignore the benefits that the family provides for its members such as intimacy
Raising children helps to stabilise adult personalities

Question 7

Ao1 sexual regulation

Answer 7

Marxist argue that the key factor determining the family is the mode of production
Marx calls the earliest class of society primitive communism
Engels argued that the need for the nuclear family arose when society started to value private property
In Engels view, monogamy became essential because of the inheritance of private property
Men had to be certain of the paternity of the children to ensure that the legitimate heirs inherited from them

Question 8

Ao3 sexual regulation

Answer 8

Functionalist would reject this view of the development of the family
Rather than being a vehicle for passing down inherited wealth, the nuclear family developed to fit modern society