Marxism

Question 1

What four ways to Marxists believe the family serves capitalism

Answer 1

• SUCS
• Socialises children
• Unpaid domestic labour
• Consumption (unit of)
• Safety valve for the stresses of work

Question 2

Briefly explain Engels’ outlook

Answer 2

• the monogamous nuclear family developed to help solve the problem of inheritance
• males needed to know their heirs - instead of primitive communism
• the family is designed to control women and protect property
• a housewife’s position is that of a glorified prostitute
• male needs are dominant

Question 3

Briefly explain Zaretsky’s outlook

Answer 3

• The family is a ‘prop’ to the capitalist economy e.g. free housework, reproducing workers, unit of consumption
• suggests the family has been viewed as a haven against the alienation of the work place
• it cushions against the stresses

Question 4

Briefly explain Althussers outlook

Answer 4

• family is an ideological state apparatus
• the family supports the capitalist structure as part of the ‘superstructure’
• the ‘base’ is the infrastructure on which everything is built
• the family passes on ruling class ideas/beliefs - socialisation

Question 5

What are the criticisms of the Marxist outlook

Answer 5

• structural theory - ignores social agency
• too much emphasis on conflict and negative aspects
• ignores gender and ethnicity - too generalising
• ignores family diversity - assumes nuclear is standard
• economically deterministic