Marxist Views Flashcards
Friedrich Engels - Monogamy
Nuclear families is a direct result of capitalism
Marriage > monogamous relationships > father knows 100% child is theirs (as they married) > rich families give children inheritance and properties > keeps the rich, rich and poor have no opportunity to access wealth > social inequality remains.
EVALUATION- Monogamy exists in non capitalist societies > unclear how it is designed to protect capitalism.
Eli Zaretsky (1976)
> Illusion that the family is separate to work, they are very connected.
for capitalism to work, bosses put pressure on staff to do well in work, causing stress which the family then cushions the impact of capitalism by “soaking up” the stress.
workers visit families at end of day to soak up stress, which re-motivates or energises them for the next day at work, benefiting capitalism.
EVALUATION- Zaretsky ignores that family life is not always perfect at home, however for some family only creates more stress for the workers.
