Marxist perspective of the family Flashcards
1
Q
Marxists see the family as a means for:
A
- Reproducing labour power - future generations of workers
- Providing emotional support for workers to help them cope with the harsh realities of capitalism
- Socialising children to accept the inequalities of capitalist society
2
Q
Engels (1884)
A
- The Bourgeoisie benefit from the nuclear family as they are able to pass on inheritance and private property
- “Women have the role of a prostitute” - they provide emotional and sexual support for their husbands in return for financial security
3
Q
Althusser (1971)
A
- ISA (Ideological state apparatus) - social institution which acts as one of the main means of promoting the dominant ideology (less obvious form of control)
- RSA (Repressive state apparatus) - same as above but more obvious form of control e.g. police
- Indoctrination - the dominant ideology is passed on through the nuclear family - encourages passive behaviour which prepares the proletariat for exploitation
4
Q
Zaretsky (1976)
A
- Sees the nuclear family as a ‘prop’ to the capitalist system
- The unpaid domestic labour of housewives supports future generations of workers at no cost to the capitalist employers
- Provides comfort to alienated workers enabling them to continue working
5
Q
Marcuse (1940s)
A
- False needs
- The NF are consumers and they’re encouraged to buy false needs - these false needs distract the proletariat from exploitation
6
Q
Indoctrination
A
Teaching someone to accept a set of beliefs without questioning them (brain washing)
7
Q
Strengths of Marxist views
A
- Marcuse’s study is still relevant today
- Shows exploitation in society and how the NF prepares workers for said exploitation (which Functionalism doesn’t look at)
8
Q
Criticisms of Marxist views
A
- Engels is outdated - not all women carry out the same role in today’s society
- They don’t give any solutions to the NF
