Marxism

Question 1

marxism - main focus

Answer 1

family is within the framework of capitalist society 
concerned with:
social control
teaching submission to capitalist class
reproducing unequal relationships

Question 2

marxism - who does the family benefit/disadvantage?

Answer 2

benefits - individuals in power (bourgeoisie) and the economy
disadvantages - working-class (proletariat)

Question 3

marxism - engels

Answer 3

monogamous nuclear family developed to pass on property to heirs (proof of paternity)
women position was to provide heir for economic security

Question 4

marxism - according to engels why is inequality reproduced?

Answer 4

rich children grow into wealth while poor children remain poor

Question 5

marxism - althusser

Answer 5

family is and ideological state apparatus 
concerned with social control & passing on ruling class ideology
working-class submit to bourgeoisie, maintain false class consciousness so capitalism survives

Question 6

marxism - zaretsky

Answer 6

family is an escape route from oppression at work
male workers valued, have power/control, helps relieve their frustration about their low status to accept their exploitation
women make workers more productive, benefiting the capitalist class for free

Question 7

marxism - criticisms (old-fashioned)

Answer 7

marriage no longer social necessity
other reasons for forming families now
men and women work so less likely to marry for economic security
2003 report; more likely to marry for love/affection > social obligation due to growing emphasis on emotional aspects of relationships, personal fulfilment

Question 8

marxism - criticisms (romanticised view of the family)

Answer 8

ignores other things that go on

Question 9

marxism - criticism (marxist feminist)

Answer 9

their is male marxist perspective

work that makes the family a place of safety done by women