Marxist Perspectives - 20 marker

Question 1

What does Zaretsky argue about ideological functions?

Answer 1

The family performs the ideological function by offering an apparent ‘haven’ from the harsh and exploitative world of capitalism

Workers can ‘be themselves’ and have a private life – largely an illusion

Question 2

How does Althusser support Zaretsky?

Answer 2

Marxists see the state as means by which capitalist ruling class maintain their dominant position through the ideological state apparatus

Maintain rule of the bourgeois by controlling people’s ideas, values and beliefs - includes religion, the media and the education system

Question 3

Engles and private property?

Answer 3

Monogamy is essential because of the inheritance of private property - men had to be certain of the paternity of their children in order to ensure that their legitimate heirs inherited from them

Question 4

Evaluation of Engles - Murdock

Answer 4

The 4 functions of the family are; stable satisfaction of the sex drive, meeting it’s members economic needs, primary socialisation of the children, reproduction of the next generation

Question 5

Parsons - functional fit

Answer 5

The functions the family performs depends of the society where it is found

Nuclear family meet the needs of a geographically mobile work force - easier to move around

Socially mobile work force - easier for nuclear family individuals status is achieved by ability not ascribed status

Question 6

Evaluation - Marxist feminist Ansley

Answer 6

Women absorb men’s anger ‘takers of shit’ soak up frustrations their husbands feel because of their alienation and exploitation at work