Marxism

Question 1

Engels

Answer 1

• as the mode of production (capitalism, communism etc) changed, the family changed
• means of productions
• monogomous nuclear family = inheritance problem solved

Question 2

Althusser

Answer 2

• family supports the superstructure and is an ideological state apparatus
• control of kids through primary socialisation

Question 3

Zaretsky

Answer 3

• illusion that ‘private life’ is seperate to economy
• ‘safe haven’
• ‘prop’ to capitalist economy
- unit of consumption
- economy based on domestic labour of housewives

Question 4

Criticisms

Answer 4

• assume that nuclear family is dominant in Capitalist society
• Emphasis on social class which underestimates gender inequalities
• Functionlists say Marxists ignore the real benefits of the family eg. intimacy