Marxist approach Flashcards
how do Marxist see the family?
a tool of capitalism, and it main function is to maintain capitalism and reinforce social inequalities
how do Marxist argue that the family helps sustain the capitalist system?
socialising children into accepting their future roles as workers and consuming products that fuel the economy
what does Althusser argue the family is apart of?
the idealogical state apparatus
what is the idealogical state apparatus?
the way institutions like the family support the capitalist economy
how does the idealogical state apparatus support the capitalist economy?
by encouraging people to accept unquestioningly the inequalities in society.
what do marxists argue the family teaches children?
submit to capitalism and be docile
what does Engles explain?
how the family maintains wealth among the ruling class through inheritance rules
what does Engles say marriage in a capitalist society does?
women are perceived as the private property of their husbands
what does Zaretsky (1976) argue the family represents?
a place where men vent their frustration with the capitalist system on their wives, preventing them from posing legitimate threat to capitalism
what is Zaretskys theory similar to?
Parsons warm bath theory
what is a name given to Zaretskys theory?
the cushioning effect
how does Zaretskys theory benifit the man?
allows them to feel in control and powerful which they don’t feel in the work place
in Zaretskys theory how are women seen?
a reserve army of labour
what does Zaretsky mean by a reserve army of labour?
when the economy require it women are called out of the family back to work
what is structural conflict?
society is structures along class lines with institutions working in the interest of the Bourgeoisie and the larger Proletariat
what is the Bourgeoisie?
small elite class with economic power
what is the Proletariat?
the working class
how do the bourgeoise gain their wealth?
by exploiting the proletariat causing conflict between the two
how does the family prevent conflict between the classes?
‘ideological control’, or convincing the masses that the present unequal systems is inevitable, natural, and good.
what does Marxists Engles say about the family?
the monogamous nuclear family emerged with capitalism as before capitalism there were only traditional tribe
when did capitalism emerge?
in the 18th century
what is capitalism based on?
a system of private ownership
what do Marxists say the family is?
the unit of consumption
how is the family a unit of consumption?
Capitalists want too keep workers’ wages down so they make a profit
