Marxism Flashcards
Marxism
Marxism is a macro, structural theory that views society as being controlled by capitalism, with a conflict between two unequal social classes: the ruling class and the working class. Marxists argue that the family serves to maintain capitalism by socialising its members to accept capitalist values, such as consumerism and meritocracy, which benefit the ruling class. The family also reproduces class inequality by raising future workers to accept ruling class ideologies. Marxist theories suggest that the family functions to ensure the transmission of private property (especially to male heirs), perpetuate ruling class ideologies, act as a unit of consumption, and provide an ideological illusion of safety and comfort, while actually reinforcing the capitalist system.
- Engels - the nuclear family passes on private property
Engels argued that the nuclear family emerged as a result of capitalism, particularly to facilitate the passing on of private property and wealth. The monogamous nuclear family allowed for clear proof of paternity, ensuring that property was passed down through the male line (patrilineality). This system helped prevent the distribution of wealth beyond the family, thus maintaining class inequality. Engels also claimed that the nuclear family oppressed women, as their primary role was to bear sons who would inherit property. In exchange for producing heirs, women were provided with basic necessities like a home, food, and clothing.
AO2: For example, Engels suggested that the monogamous nuclear family structure was crucial in maintaining the wealth and property of the ruling class, as it ensured that only biological sons inherited, keeping wealth within a specific lineage. This arrangement reinforced gender inequality, as women’s roles were primarily centerd around reproduction.
AO3: Some critics argue that nuclear families existed before the development of capitalism, challenging Engels’ view that the family structure emerged specifically due to the needs of capitalism. Additionally, Engels’ theory is considered outdated because property can now be passed down to anyone, not just males. However, his theory still holds relevance in understanding how wealth tends to stay within families, perpetuating social inequality and reinforcing capitalist structures.
- Althusser - the nuclear family transmits ruling class ideology
Althusser argued that in order for capitalism to thrive, the working class must accept the dominance of the ruling class. The family, as part of the ideological state apparatus, plays a key role in maintaining this power structure. It socialises children into accepting capitalism by instilling beliefs that it is a fair and unchangeable system. This prepares individuals to accept hierarchical power dynamics, where children are taught to obey authority figures, such as their father, which mirrors the obedience expected in the workplace under capitalist systems. The family helps maintain false class consciousness by teaching children to accept their exploitation and view capitalism as natural and just.
AO2: For example, children are taught to respect their father’s authority at home, which later translates into respect for bosses or other authority figures in the workplace. This helps perpetuate the capitalist system by making workers compliant and less likely to challenge the power structures that benefit the ruling class.
AO3: Functionalists argue that the family passes on society’s shared norms and values, rather than solely the interests of the ruling class. Feminists also highlight that the family transmits patriarchal norms and values, not just capitalist ones. Child Liberationists, who share Althusser’s view on parental control, argue that adults dominate children’s lives to make them dependent rather than preparing them for the workforce. Unlike Althusser, Child Liberationists emphasize that adult control aims to maintain children’s dependence rather than reinforce capitalist ideology.
- Zaretsky - the nuclear family acts as a unit of consumption
Zaretsky argued that the nuclear family acts as a unit of consumption, generating profit for the ruling class through the goods and services families purchase. Advertising plays a key role in encouraging families, particularly children, to value consumerism by making them feel they must have the latest products to be happy. Children are influenced by “false needs” promoted by advertisements, leading them to nag their parents for toys and other products they don’t necessarily need, thus increasing family spending. This consumer behaviour benefits the ruling class, as they profit from selling these goods, allowing them to maintain their wealth and power.
AO2: For example, children are often bombarded with ads for toys, leading them to create a sense of urgency and desire for items they don’t truly need. During birthdays and holidays, children are asked what they want, reinforcing consumerism. This spending, fueled by advertising and children’s “pester power,” ultimately benefits the ruling class, who profit from selling these goods.
AO3: Critics argue that we are not passive victims of capitalist manipulation. Postmodernists suggest that the products we buy reflect individual choices and identities, not just a conformity to capitalist demands. They reject the Marxist view, emphasising that family life in postmodern society is marked by choice, diversity, and change. Functionalists, on the other hand, argue that the family’s role as a unit of consumption is beneficial to society as a whole, not just to the ruling class, as it stimulates economic growth and supports societal functioning.
- Zaretsky - the nuclear family as a safe haven is an ideological illusion
Zaretsky argued that the family is portrayed as a safe haven, a place where individuals can relax and escape from the harsh realities of capitalist exploitation. He suggested that the family acts as a “buffer zone,” where workers can retreat from the alienation and stress they experience at work, allowing them to “be themselves” and have a private life. However, Zaretsky claimed that this function is an ideological illusion designed to benefit capitalism. The family’s role in providing this respite helps prevent workers from revolting against the capitalist system, as they are kept pacified and distracted by the comforts of family life.
AO2: For example, after a hard day of work, family members return home to a peaceful environment where they can unwind, thus reinforcing the idea that the family is a refuge from the alienation of work. This illusion of safety and comfort masks the underlying capitalist exploitation and prevents workers from challenging the system.
AO3: Functionalists, such as Parsons, disagree with Zaretsky’s view. Parsons argued that the family truly functions as a haven, providing emotional support where individuals can relax and release tensions, a concept known as the “warm bath theory.” Unlike Zaretsky, who views the family as benefiting only the ruling class, Parsons believes that the family is a positive and supportive institution that benefits all members, offering a safe and nurturing environment for everyone, not just for the capitalist system.
