Marxism and the family

Question 1

Marxists views of the family

Answer 1

-Believe that society is a place of conflict rather than consensus
-Within capitalist societies the bourgeoisie who own the means of production exploit the proletariat.
The family oppresses its members as the nuclear family is an ideological apparatus, so the family justifies class inequality and allows the bourgeoise to remain in control. The proletariats are victims of false class consciousness.

Question 2

Engles

Answer 2

-Argues that the monogamous nuclear family developed as a way of passing on private property to heirs.
-Monogamous relationships ensured there was proof of paternity so the property could be passed on to the right people
-Women’s position in the family was not dissimilar to that as a prostitute as a financial deal was struck- a purchasable prostitute.

Question 3

Engles evaluation

Answer 3

-Liberal feminists- disagree as they would say that society has been changing and improving so women haven’t been as explored by their husbands.
-Social changes have improved the position of women in the family. This can be proved by men doing more work around the house than in the past and men being more involved around their children.

Question 4

Althusser

Answer 4

-Saw the family as an important institution that supports capitalism in similar ways to the education system and the mass media
-He sees it as an agent of social control over its members, particularly children. For example, encouraging children to do work, homework and do well at school. Althusser believes that these are ideological messages about the virtues of individual hard work and competitiveness.

Question 5

Althusser evaluation

Answer 5

-The nuclear family is actually needed as it is a fundamental building block for society in order to promote stability, moral values and social control.
The new right believes that the nuclear family provides essential functions such as emotional support, socialisation and the transmission of cultural values.
-A strong family unit leads to better outcomes for children and society as a whole.

Question 6

Zaretsky

Answer 6

-The family are an important tool for the capitalistic society. Capitalism relies on the domestic labour of housewives and the reproduction of future generations of workers.
-The family has become a vital unit of consumption. They buy products and the bourgeoisie get the profits.

Question 7

Zaretsky evaluation

Answer 7

-Focuses too much on the idea of the family being led by capitalism, in reality the family is made in order to create good and functional people for society through primary socialisation, and stabilising the existing members through stabilisation- Parsons.

Question 8

Marcuse

Answer 8

-Working class families are encouraged to pursue false needs and judge themselves and others on material possessions.
-This serves the interests of capitalism rather than consumers, because it boosts the economy and distracts workers from seeking equality and justice.

Question 9

Marcuse evaluation

Answer 9

-Too pessimistic and concentrated on capitalism, nuclear families aren’t so bad
-Radical feminists suggests that Marxists ignore the patriarchal nature of society.
-Offers no alternative to nuclear family.