Marxist Theory Of The Family Flashcards
Marxist view of the family
Marxists are critical of the functionalist view that the modern nuclear family has evolved to benefit wider society.
Instead Marxists see the nuclear family as serving the interests of the ruling class and a tool for capitalism
Believe that the family’s primary function is to reproduce workers for the workforce.
Friedrich Engels
Engels claimed the nuclear family only became popular due to capitalism as the ruling class encouraged it to pass down the property and wealth to their children.
Eli zaretsky (1976) ideas on the family
Zaretsky challenged parsons who insisted the nuclear family was positive for society as it prompted social order and stability. However zaretsky claimed that the nuclear family mainly benefits capitalism and the ruling class.
1) Zaretsky see’s the family as crucial for the socialisation of children as it teaches them to respect and conform to authority.
2) Zaretsky believes family’s real function is to help workers to not challenge the authority that exploits them due to the income and family living standards at threat.
3) Zaretsky believes the family is essential for capitalism as it is the major unit of consumption of manufactured goods and services. E.g toys and devices.
Criticisms of Marxist theory of the family
1) Zaretsky rarely considers that some working-class parents may resist ruling class ideology.
2) some parents may feel that the working class standard of living provided by capitalism is so comfortable that they are willing to dismiss inequality as a lesser evil.
