Marxist Perspective!

Question 1

Marxists Intro?

Answer 1

Structuralist Perspective
Looks at how the family contributes to the maintenance of society’s structure
Conservative Force- maintains class inequality
Family is the framework of capitalist society
Conflict between the classes - family maintains it - allow social control
Benefits M/c not w/c

Question 2

Engles: (1820-95)

What does he say?

Answer 2

Inheritance of Property

Nuclear family passes down private ownership

It provides proof of Paternity as it wants to be passed down to the right people - this meant women had to be faithful in return ( no monogamous relationships)

Background - Key
Primitive communism: trade, hunters, no private property, no families, tribal groups, collectively owned
Promiscuous Hoarde: there was no restrictions on sexual relashionships -
Eventually the bourgeoisie wanted to find a new way in passing down wealth to next generation to keep wealth running - and wanted to pass to right offspring - paternity needed in which created the MONOGMOUS NUCLEAR FAMILY

Reproduces class inequality - children grow up wealthy, benefits M/c not w/c

Question 3

Engles: Criticisms

Answer 3

• engles theory: too deterministic - ignores free will - not all about passing down wealth to children - marriage and a family could be because the individuals are inlove - internationalists would argue it - pure love, free choice, not just property: 2003 Report= changing Britain, changing lives - people are more likely to marry for love and affection rather than social obligation

Question 4

Althusser (1971) ?

Answer 4

Family Ideological State Apparatus

Aswell as media, education which are concerned with social control and passing on ideology to the working class

Maintains false class consciousness

Socialising justifies inequality and encourages people to accept the capitalist system as fair, natural and unchangeable - for example - authority / parent - must obey : mirrors the hierarchy of the Boss

Question 5

Contemporary Marxists ?

Answer 5

Family as a unit of Consumption

* capitalists/ Business Owners, want to keep workers wages down and so they can make profit. 
W/c produce the goods with receiving little money and then goods are sold more expensive - in which the working class buy - exploitation! 

families demand of goods:
* keeping up with the Jones - significant amount of media - (ISA) and Companies advertise the goods - results in pester power to parents
UK- fewer legal requirements
Controlled by capitalists- want to be seen as a good parent and so will buy them!

Question 6

Zaretsky (1976)

Answer 6

Family gives the portrait men something to control - where they could be the boss - w/c would tolerate frustration and exploration due to keeping up with the private domain and status it gave them at home - women because the “takers of shit” ( feminists)

Question 7

CRITICISM- Zaretsky

Answer 7

Outdated - not just one wonder anymore ? Ignores family benefits

Question 8

CRITICISMS : Marxist

Answer 8

• Too Deterministic, doesn’t account for free will ( internationalists). 2003 Report- people marry for love rather than social obligation more than ever
• Functionalists : ignores benefits : outdated - mutual support?
  Counter argue - parsons - family evolved to suit industrial economy
• Feminists : men benefit from the family not capatalists!