Marxist theories

Question 1

What does Althusser suggest about institutions such as the family, media, ad education?

Answer 1

perpetuates ideology of the ruling class by passing on certain beliefs & ideas to benefit capitalist society

Question 2

The function of the fam according to althusser is to..

Answer 2

act as an ideological state apparatus

Question 3

The family socialises members to accept capitalism, convinces children that capitalism is..

Answer 3

a fair and unchangeable system

Question 4

How do children learn about power relationships in the family that make them normalise capitalism?

Answer 4

From a young age, parents have power over them, prepares them later in life for capitalist boss that will have authority in workplace > seen as normal

Question 5

How may functionalists criticise althusser

Answer 5

power relations socialise children to be respectful, contributing to value consesnous and smooth running of society rather than capitalism

Question 6

The family maintain a.. how?

Answer 6

• false class consciousness
• children brainwashed into loving capitalism, accepting it as fair

Question 7

Define false class consciousness

Answer 7

WC unaware of their exploitation

Question 8

give an example of how the family instil dominant capitalist values onto children

Answer 8

parents expect children to obey their house rules, mirrors how they’ll be expected to obey all rules under authoritave ruling class boss in future workplace

Question 9

What sociologist would agree to Althusser’’s idea of parents having power over children?

Answer 9

Child Liberationists, another conflict theory

Question 10

Why would child liberationists agree with Althussers theory?

Answer 10

Believe age patriarchy (adult dominance) get children used to idea that there is always someone in charge over them,

however, they say its to make children dependent on them rather than to benefit & prepare for capitalism

Question 11

How many child liberationists evaluate althusser?

Answer 11

However, they say age patriarchy is enforced in families to make children dependent on them rather than to benefit & prepare for capitalism

Question 12

what is the function of the family according to Engels (1884)

Answer 12

patrilineality (inheritance through male lines) to reinforce class divisions

Question 13

how does patrilineality reinforce class divisions?

Answer 13

enabled wealthy fams to preserve & expand assets whilst those without property remain economically disadvantaged

Question 14

What did the family & monogamy provide so that their property was passed onto biological sons?

Answer 14

proof of paternity

Question 15

what does patrilineality prevent?

Answer 15

prevents distribution of wealth and power, reproducing & maintaining social class inequality

Question 16

why does engels say patrilineality oppressed women?

Answer 16

the primary role of women was to produce children, gave birth to sons in exchange of clothing and home.

Question 17

Engels argued women would only achieve ____ from patriarchal control when..?

Answer 17

liberation when capitalism is replaced with communism

Question 18

what is communism

Answer 18

a classless society, no property, no longer requiring monogamous trad nuclear fam

Question 19

what sociologists would agree with Engels

Answer 19

• marxist feminists
• benston

Question 20

evaluate Engels theory

Answer 20

ion modern times, the family still pass on inheritance but it goes to both daughters and sons - outdated

Question 21

What is one of the functions of the family (Zaretsky)

Answer 21

• Family is a unit of consumption with false needs to generate profit for ruling class

Question 22

What do children grow up to value? (Zaretksy)

Answer 22

value consumerism (wanting more and more)

Question 23

provide an example for how children grow up to value consumerism (Z)

Answer 23

asked what they want for birthdays/christmas

Question 24

Give an example how ruling class generate profit from families (Z)

Answer 24

adverts urge fams to “keep up with the Joneses’” to buy all products e.g phones, toys

Question 25

Adverts for new toys give children what? (Z)

Answer 25

false needs

Question 26

How does buying consumer goods benefit economy? (Z)

Answer 26

rich stay rich & powerful as theyre the ones selling, whilst families become poorer from spending

Question 27

How would postmodernists evaluate zaretsky

Answer 27

We’re not passively brainwashed tp buy consumer products, argue products we buy refklect individual identities/choices

Question 28

Postmodernist society reject marxist views because..

Answer 28

they say family life in postmodern society is characterised by choice, fluidity, diversityy, individuality and change

Question 29

what is another function of women in the family (Zaretsky)

Answer 29

for women to act as a buffer role for capitalism

Question 30

(Z) people are made to believe the family is a haven which is an ..

Answer 30

ideological illusion

Question 31

(Z) What do families rely on that makes the view of the family as a haven false?

Answer 31

rely on unpaid domestic exploitation of women

Question 32

(Z) What do women perform in the family at no cost to the ruling class?

Answer 32

‘labour of love’

Question 33

What is an example of women’s domestic explotation?

Answer 33

comfort annoyed male workers by completing all domestic tasks so husband returns home relaxed

Question 34

how does women’s unpaid domestic labour keep capitalist system running?

Answer 34

they do all domestic work ensuring men return back to work refreshed and energised as they had time to relax so they work to they best of their ability for their ruling class bosses

Question 35

who would criticise Zaretsky’s theory of women acting as a buffer role?

Answer 35

Parson’s stabilisation of adult personalities theory