Marxist views of the family

Question 1

What does Engels say about the Notion of Monogamous marriage was developed maintain wealth inequalities in society?

Answer 1

Engels:
PAST:
-In the past the concept of monogamy (committing to one partner for life) wasn’t recognised.
-Era of the primitive communism: people loved collectively
-everyone shared responsibilities e.g raising children +no such thing as private property/money
-People lived in promiscuous hordes(people having multiple sexual partners)
TODAY:
-society advanced and wealth and property became more important so monogamy became more important
-Men (m/c) wanted to keep their position of power
-wealthy men got married off to wealthy women
ensured two things:1)had heirs which they could transfer their wealth too 2)wealth and power remained in the bloodline
Helps capitalism as it maintains the class+wealth divid

Question 2

Evaluation of Engels

Answer 2

• evidence suggests that monogamy emerged before capitalism-could be dominance of religion in pre industrial society that encouraged encouraged monogamy not capitalism
• No longer relevant in todays society due to growth of family diversity->growth in divorce

Question 3

What does Zaretsky say about the Nuclear family performing functions which benefit the capitalist system

Answer 3

Zaretsky: argues that functions performed by the family only benefit capitalism, helps maintain class inequality
Unit of consumption:families are major spenders in society E.G clothes, toys etc
-families today are materialistic +under pressure to keep up with the latest products-‘keeping up with the joneses ‘
-pester power is applied by children (parents feel pressure to buy the toys that their friends have)
-More money spent benefits m/c as it’s their businesses
Psychological Outlet:family serves as a distraction from the hardship of the capitalist economic system
-Applies to men who are exploited + are made to feel allinated (have no control over their life)
-Leads to sense of oppression +frustration.When they go back to their family they are able to relax in safe haven of family.
-Makes them better workers for capitalism as they have a family to support so more committed +reliable
Benefits capitalism as it benefits employer
Ideological:process of children being socialised by their parents into ideologies
-parents teach their children messages which support capitalism E.G accept normality of hierarchy
-Also learn the ‘life isn’t fair’ attitude
-aids capitalism as children accept it like it is normal

Question 4

Evaluation of Zaretsky

Answer 4

• Other forms of families can perform these functions not just nuclear family
• Functionalists argue as well as the family socialise their children to values that benefit society not just capitalism

Question 5

Why does Bourdieu say child’s life changes are determined by the class of the family into which they born

Answer 5

Bourdieu:
-W/C +M/C families have different experiences to one another which helps maintain the class divide
-Middle class families:children are exposed to cultural capital(parents provide children with knowledge+skills etc needed to be successful on education)
E.G reading with children, educational trips
-Also have economic capital( have financial means to provide experiences)
Working class families:prone to cultural deprivation (lack cultural equipment to aid childrens success)
-have financial restrictions +experience material deprivation
-Class child is born into will have an impact on experiences they have growing up

Question 6

Evaluation of bordieu

Answer 6

-Critics argue not all w.c children stay w.c, they are able to climb social class ladder through education+job