Marxist Theory On The Family

Question 1

Superstructure

Answer 1

The superstructure maintains and legitimated the base. Everything NOT to do with production in society.

Question 2

Infrastructure

Answer 2

Base shapes the superstructure. All things you need to produce: machines, factories, land, raw materials etc ( all owned by bourgeoise)

Question 3

Role of the family - Reproduction

Answer 3

Monogamy-faithful to one partner
Heir-inherits property-is the rightful legitimate child
-more workers created, more future workers, workforce for capitalism (for the ruling class)
-ruling class reproduce, more inheritance and legitimate heirs

Question 4

Criticism- Reproduction

Answer 4

• Marxist theory ignores family diversity by assuming the nuclear family is dominant
• Feminists say that a monogamous family benefits men rather that capitalism - like postmodernists
• out-dated

Question 5

Role of the family- Haven or Sanctuary

Answer 5

ZERETSKY
Haven - safe place
- family helps its members manage resentment against capitalism.
- this exploits then by offering a way to de-stress after a long day at work-exploitation of work
- family appears as a heaven
- workers are less likely to resign as they have their families for support
- love that we receive is an illusion that only benefits the ruling class
- family - women have to serve men and children

Question 6

Criticism- Haven or Sanctuary

Answer 6

He ignores the benefits of stable family life

Question 7

Role of the family - Unit of Consumption

Answer 7

MARCUSE
pester power-persuade parents to buy something that you don’t need
Consumerism-buying material goods
- working class families pursue fade needs (consumer goods) - this stimulates the economy and keeps the working class focused on other issues rather than in seeking equality

Question 8

Criticism- Unit of Consumption

Answer 8

Marcuse is deterministic. The theory is deterministic as it assumes that the family will disappear in a communist state

Question 9

Role of the family- Inheritance of Private Property

Answer 9

ENGELS
Paternity-knowing who your father is
- modern society- capitalist class owns and controls these means of production - as this evolves, so does the family
- as forces of production developed, society’s wealth began to increase, private property developed, class of men emerged who securely controlled the means of production - this led to a patriarchal monogamous nuclear family
- rise of monogamous nuclear family represented a ‘world historical defeat of the female sex’
- the family ensure the legitimacy of the male heir for the ruling class by guaranteeing their paternity through monogamous marriage

Question 10

Criticism- Inheritance of Private Property

Answer 10

• Marxists tend to assume that their nuclear family is dominant in capitalist society - ignores wide, increasing family structures
• functionalists argue that Marx ignores benefits from the family e.g. Intimacy, mutual support
• underestimate the importance of gender inequalities within the family by overemphasis on social class inequality

Question 11

Role of the family-Socialisation and Ideological State Apparatus

Answer 11

ALTHUSSER 
Ideological state apparatus - family is a tool used by the ruling class to control the theory at we think 
- children are socialised into the idea that inequality is inevitable as the family passes on the ideology of the ruling class to future generations who then accept the system as fair. this prepares them for a working life where they will accept the orders if the capitalist employer. This maintains false class consciousness.

Question 12

Criticism- Socialisation and Ideological State Apparatus

Answer 12

Ignores the extent to which families can choose to live within a capitalist society as it offers higher standards of living