Marxism + Family

Question 1

What did Engles claim about the nuclear family?

Answer 1

According to Engels, the monogamous nuclear family only emerged with capitalism. He argued that we went from an age of primitive communism to capitalism through the establishment of family norms such as private ownership and inheritance, and this was done through the oppression of women

Question 2

Explain how Engles viewed the time prior to capitalism in relation to the family and social class

Answer 2

During the time of ‘primitive communism’, there was no private property and thus no social classes or private family units. Properties and resources were owned collectively. Instead of smaller families, there were large groups of hunters and gatherers working together to survive.

Question 3

Explain the Engles’ theory of the emergence of the monogamous nuclear family in relation to the reproduction of social class inequality

Answer 3

With the emergence of capitalism, the bourgeoisie began owning private property for the purposes of personal profit. In order to keep this property, they had to find a way to prevent it from being shared with everyone else. Thus started the structure of the monogamous nuclear family - with a definitive way of identify a legitimate heir, the ruling class could pass down their private property and wealth to their children.
- According to Engles, this reproduced and reinforced social class inequality. The bourgeoisie owned all of the wealth and resources and passed it down to the next generation of rich capitalists whilst the proletariat, the working masses, had nothing. The rich remained rich whilst the poor remained poor. The monogamous, nuclear family structure, therefore, becomes clearly advantageous to class hierarchy and inequality and therefore capitalism.

Question 4

What is the main criticism of Engels’ theory?

Answer 4

Issues of gender equality clearly preceded capitalism
- The vast majority tribes in Africa and Asia are patriarchal, with women being barred from owning property, having no political power, and having to do most of the child care and hard physical labour.
- Wealthy capitalist economies such as the UK and the USA have seen the fastest improvements in gender equality over the last 100 years
Capitalism, increasing wealth and gender equality within a nation seem to be correlated

Question 5

What do Marxists believe the nuclear family functions as?

Answer 5

A means to promote values that insure the reproduction and maintenance of capitalism

Question 6

What does it mean when the family is described by Marxists as an ideological apparatus?

Answer 6

Means that the family socialises people to think in a way that justifies inequality and encourages people to accept the capitalist system as fair, natural and unchangeable.

Question 7

What is one way in which the family acts as an ideological apparatus?

Answer 7

There is a hierarchy in most families which teaches children to accept there will always be someone in “authority” who they must obey, which then mirrors the hierarchy of boss-worker in paid employment in later life.

Question 8

What do Marxists see as the hierarchy in the nuclear family?

Answer 8

Father -> Mother -> Child

Question 9

How does Zaretsky view the family?

Answer 9

As a major unit of consumption of goods and services. This means that the family serves not only an ideological function, but also an economic function

Question 10

How does capitalism encourage family competition through consumption?

Answer 10

Families are encouraged to constantly purchase the latest products and services to appear ‘fashionable’ and show off their ‘high status’ to their relatives, neighbours, and peers.

Question 11

What is the encouragement of family competition also referred to as?

Answer 11

“Keeping up with the Joneses”

Question 12

What are some examples of consumer goods and services that signify a family’s wealth and status?

Answer 12

• The best car
• Designer clothing
• Expensive toys
• Luxurious holidays

Question 13

What also influences people to compete with each other through consumption?

Answer 13

• Mass media
• Advertising campaigns

Question 14

How do companies build demand for their products?

Answer 14

Through targeted advertising to children, who request expensive products from their parents. This is called ‘pester power’.

Question 15

Where is ‘pester power’ a particular problem?

Answer 15

The UK, where there are few legal restrictions on adverts aimed at children

Question 16

What is the law about targeted advertising to children in Sweden?

Answer 16

Advertising aimed at children under 12 is illegal

Question 17

What did Zaretsky claim about the economic function of the nuclear family under capitalism?

Answer 17

Claims that this economic function is a bourgeois ideology perpetuated to ensure families spend money and create profits for the bourgeoisie. This, there is no material benefit for the family itself, only for the capitalist structure.

Question 18

Through what did Bourdieu claim the family reproduces social class inequalities in every generation?

Answer 18

Its children

Question 19

What did Bourdieu focus on when looking at the reproduction of class inequality in the family?

Answer 19

The experiences of middle-class and working-class children in education and work, namely through the lens of economic capital

Question 20

What does the term ‘economic capital’ refer to?

Answer 20

Money and resources, often denoting disposable income or material possessions

Question 21

How did Bourdieu claim middle-class children can benefit from economic capital in education?

Answer 21

Children from wealthy families have the benefit of more economic capital from their parents and therefore enjoy better educational opportunities. This includes access to private education and tutors, enriching school trips, and computers or laptops. Due to this, middle-class children are more likely to succeed academically and beyond

Question 22

How did Bourdieu claim working-class children were disadvantaged by a lack of economic capital?

Answer 22

Working-class children are unable to achieve similar feats to those of middle-class children due to a lack of cultural capital, even if they are fully capable. They may be forced to leave school early due to poverty and/or the need for extra income. Bourdieu argued that this lack of economic capital prevents working-class children from accessing the same quality of education as middle-class children. Subsequently, as adults, they can’t get well-paid jobs and therefore are unable to ‘move up’ the social ladder and improve their circumstances.

Question 23

What are four criticisms of the Marxist view of the family?

Answer 23

• It is too deterministic
• It ignores family diversity
• It downplays the role of patriarchy
• It ignores the benefits of a nuclear family

Question 24

Explain the criticism that the Marxist view of the family is too deterministic

Answer 24

It assumes people passively accept socialisation and family life, and that the future is predetermined. There are plenty of families who reject the consumerist lifestyle and many families bring their children up to be independent thinkers

Question 25

Explain the criticism that the Marxist view of the family ignores family diversity

Answer 25

The Marxist perspective ignores family diversity in a capitalist society; the nuclear family is no longer the main type of family. In fact, family breakdown may be better for Capitalism - as divorce is expensive and more money has to be spent on maintaining family relationships and later on forming new families

Question 26

Explain the criticism that the Marxist view of the family downplays the role of patriarchy

Answer 26

Feminists argue that the Marxist focus on social class inequalities downplays the role of patriarchy, which is the real source of female oppression. Feminists would point out that sex inequalities exist within all families, irrespective of social class background

Question 27

Explain the criticism that the Marxist view of the family ignores the benefits of a nuclear family

Answer 27

Marxism ignores the benefits of a nuclear family e.g. both parents support the children. The New Right points out that this is the most functional type of environment in which to raise children, and the nuclear family is found in most societies around the world, suggesting it is something people choose.