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) soak
> 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 the 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.
The family as a commodity generating alienation:
Arlie Hochschild (2011)
> Family is a unit that is increasingly turned into a ‘commodity’ that involves buying, selling and profit.
> 1 in 5 relationships begin online.
> Internet dating sites are generating huge profits from love and family life, it is as though love is itself increasingly a commodity that can be bought and sold.
Many of the roles and responsibilities once performed by the family have increasingly been ‘sold’ to money-making companies. For example,
> Care homes increasingly provide for elderly people.
Nurseries increasingly provide child-care services for the young
Party planners free parents from their responsibilities.
EVALUATION:
> He challenges fellow Marxist Zaretsky. While he creates family is a haven to which people escape from life, she highlights how it is in fact the heart of capitalism itself.
