Marxism

Question 1

Summary of marxism

Answer 1

• conflict between 2 classes
  proletariat- sell labour for wage/salary, exploited
  bourgeoisie- own means of production (capitalists)
• make profit from Ps work, surplus value

Question 2

What are the 4 functions of the family according to marxism?

Answer 2

1) Inheritance of property
2) Ideological functions
3) Unit of consumption
4) Unpaid domestic labour

Question 3

1) Inheritance of property

Answer 3

• monogamy, men had to be certain of paternity of child
• patriarchal monogamous nuclear family
  > maintains capitalist society, private property, class of men who controlled production
• women socially controlled

Question 4

1) IoP
What does Engels say?

Answer 4

“monogamy is essential for the inheritance of private property”

Question 5

1) IoP
What are women turned into?

Answer 5

‘mere instruments for the production of children’

Question 6

2) Ideological functions

Answer 6

• belief system that distorts perceptions to serve the interests of the ruling class
• through church, education system, media

Question 7

2) IF
Zaretsky

Answer 7

family provides a ‘haven’ from the harsh exploitative world of capitalism so workers feel alienated
- largely an illusion, family cannot meet the needs of its members
e.g. domestic servitude of women

Question 8

2) IF
Poulantzas

Answer 8

• family is the superstructure of society
• ideological state apparatus
• controlled by the bourgeoisie
• creates values, attitudes which supports capitalism

Question 9

3) Unit of consumption

Answer 9

• important market for the sale of consumer goods
• family generates profit
• advertisers urge families to ‘keep up with the Jonses’ by consuming the latest products
• media target children through ‘pester power’ to persuade parents to spend more
  X children who lack ‘must haves’ are mocked and stigmatised by peers

Question 10

4) Unpaid domestic labour
Fran Ansley

Answer 10

Marxist feminist
- punch bag theory
- capitalism oppresses women not just men
- free housework and childcare
- men come home from work and rest so they can be productive for the next day at work
1976- domestic violence became a criminal offence

Question 11

How do post modernists criticise Marxism?

Answer 11

Assume that the nuclear family is dominant, ignores diversity

Question 12

How do feminists criticise Marxism?

Answer 12

It underestimates the importance of gender inequality

Question 13

How do Functionalists criticise Marxism?

Answer 13

Ignores the benefits that the family can provide, can support its members

Question 14

Other criticisms of Marxism?

Answer 14

Deterministic- exploitation in wealthy families?
capitalism is not the root of all problems
Too critical- emphasises the negative side of the family