Marxism Flashcards
How do Marxists see S?
Capitalist (motivated be profit, not need)
÷ unequally (proletariat sell labour to bourgeoisie IOT survive, exploitation)
Controlled by economic base/ infrastructure (capitalism) + ideological superstructure (institutions)
What are Marxists views of the TNF?
Not functionally necessary (or universal)
What are Marxists views on the family?
See the family within the framework of a capitalist S
Based on private property, drives by profit
N. family only benefits capitalism
What are the 4 functions of a nuclear family in a capitalist S?
- Social control (teaches children to submit to C)
- Reproduce unequal class relationships
- Dampen down inevitable social conflict (discourages workers striking, ££)
- = core market for consumption of commodities
What are 4 ways that the family is a core market for the consumption of commodities?
- Adverts, targeted at families
- Media, target children, ‘pester power’
- Children mocked/ stigmatised by peers if don’t have latest gadgets/ fashion
- Discourages proletariat rev; workers too busy earning ££ needed to survive
FAMILY = KEY SORUCE OF PROFIT FOR C
Why does Engles (1884) believe that the monogamous N family developed?
Passing on private property to heirs
Provided proof of paternity, passed on to right people
W = ‘prostitutes’ sex + heirs for £ security
W only achieve liberation with overthrown of C
What are the 4 arguments against Engles?
- How common is the patriarchal (TNF) today?
- Serial marriage, rather than monogamy
- Monogamous family benefits W - know father of children, demand support
- Olf fashioned: ignores why get married (<3), W = work/ own property, less likely to marry for £ security
When did Engles write?
1884
When did Zaretsky write?
1976
What are the3 ideological + economic roles that the family performs according to Zaretsky?
- Primary socialisation + age patriarchy - teaches children that there = always someone in charge, accept orders fro their C employers
- ‘Buffer zone’ from harsh experiences at work
- Family = unit of consumption, C sells products of wc labour back to them (commodities, pester power)
How is the family acting as a ‘buffer zone/ safe haven’ an ideological function?
Doesn’t exist in real life
Dependent on domestic exploitation of women (labour of love)
Unpaid domestic labour - C gets continuous supply of future workers
What are the 2 arguments against Zaretsky?
- Are we so easily ‘brainwashed’ into a false consciousness? (children resist parental authority, not all families = materialistic)
- Theory depends on existence of TNF, ignores diversity (fam+roles)
When did Althusser write?
1971
What does Althusser say that the family is?
ISA Acts as form of social control + passes on ideology of rc Socialises children (Zaretsky) Maintains a false class consciousness
How does the family maintain a false class consciousness according to Zaretsky?
Fam = part os superstructure, reflects + reinforces economic needs of C structure Superstructure = controlled by rc, used to create values + attitudes, support rc (FCC)
