Marxism Perspective On The Family

Question 1

Marxists ideological functions

Answer 1

• Marxists say the family transmits a set of ideas /beliefs that justify inequality , and maintain capitalism by getting people to accept it as fair/natural /unchagable

Question 2

How does the family make ideological functions ?

Answer 2

• by socialising children so they believe hierarchy and inequality are inevitable.
• parental power over children gets them used to the idea that someone’s always in charge , preparing them for working life under capitalist employers
• Zaretsky 1976 , says that family is a haven from the exploitative capitalist world , workers can be themselves and have a private life. Therefore this is an illusion because families can’t meet all members needs , as it’s based on the domestic service of women .

Question 3

Marxism inheritance

Answer 3

• the mode of production (who owns/ control societal forces like tools and materials ) have evolved and are now owned y the capitalist class. The family evolved alongside this, leaving primitive communism( no private property) and what Engels calls a promiscuous horde(no family) behind

Question 4

Inheritance of property
- Engels

Answer 4

• A class of men later gained control of the means of production, bringing about the patriarchal monogamous nuclear family .
• Engels argues monogamy became essential ,men didn’t have to worry about the paternity of their sons and could therefore let them inherit private property, benefiting capitalism .
• he says the nuclear family is the ‘world historical defeat of the female sex’- it puts their sexuality under male control and turns them into just an Instrument for reproduction.

Question 5

Unit of consumption

Answer 5

• Families are a market for selling consumer goods, giving them a role in helping capitalism profit:
  • Keeping up with the Joneses- encourage families to consume latest products.
  • Media targets children, who use ‘pester power’ to make parents spend more.
  • Children without latest products are mocked/stigmatised by peers.

Question 6

Critism of Marxists perspective

Answer 6

• Assumes nuclear family is dominant in capitalist society, ignores wide variety of families we have today.
• Feminists argue Marxists put too much emphasis on class/capitalism, arguing that the power of gender inequalities in the family that means it serves men, not capitalism.
Functionalists argue they ignore the benefits the family gives its members (Murdock’s functions).