Marxist persp

Question 1

What do they see the family as doing?

Answer 1

-Maintaing class inequality between capitalist class & wc, purely to benefit the capitalist system
-STRONGYLY CONTRASTS funct view that it benefits society & members

Question 2

What are the functions the family fulfil for capitalism?

Answer 2

-Inheritance of property
-Ideological functions/socialisation
-Unit of consumption/source of profit
(These don’t benefit members of the family, only capitalist society)

Question 3

Engels

Answer 3

Monogamy became essential in modern society, for the inheritance of private property- ensure a legitimate heir inherited.
-Wasnts needed in classless society ‘promiscuous horde’ ie no restrictions

-Rise in monogamous nuclear family led to the ‘historical defeat of the female sex’. F sexuality now under M control,instrument for childbearing

Question 4

Zaretsky

Answer 4

-Performs ideological function of offering a ‘haven’ from the harsh exploitative world of capitalism. But he argues it’s largely an illusion- the family cannot meet its members needs.

-Socialises children into the idea that hierarchy/inequality are inevitable. Prepared them for working life (other ideological function)

Question 5

Family as a unit of consumption

Answer 5

-Advertising urges families to ‘keep up with the jonses’-consumerism
-Media targets children, use ‘pester power’
-Children without latest items mocked/stigmatised by peers

Question 6

Criticisms of Marxist persp

Answer 6

-Assume the nuclear fams dominant in capitalist society. Ignores the wide variety of family’s found today
-Feminists: emphasises class&capitalism but ignores the importance of gender inequality. Fems believe this is more fundamental, and family primarily serves the interest of men not capitalism.
-Functionlists: they ignore the benefits the family provides for members