Marxist Views Of The Family Flashcards
Marxist views of the family
Marxists believe that the family is a tool of capitalism and its main function is to maintain capitalism and reinforce social inequalities
Economic base means
The base comprises the forces and relations of production into which people enter to produce the necessities and amenities of life
Superstructure means
It’s culture,institution,political power structures,roles,rituals and state
Cushioning effect
Similar to Parsons warm bath theory it suggests that the family provides a haven from the harsh oppression and exploitation of the capitalist world
Ideological state apparatus means
The social institutions such as education,the churches,family,media,trade unions, and law,which were formally outside state control but which served to transmit the values of the state
Key thinker Fredrick Engels:inheritance of wealth
The isolated nuclear family means that men are able to confirm when a child is theirs and can ensure that wealth stays within the family through private inheritance.This helps to maintain capitalism by keeping wealth within the private family rather than being distributed amongst the community
Key thinker Zaretsky :cushioning effect
Similar to the warm bath theory the family acts as comfort from the stresses and strains of society.However Zaretsky believes that the family allows a man to feel in control and powerful which they don’t feel in the workplace
Key thinker Zarestsky : unit of consumption
Families play a vital role in the generation of profits for the bourgeoise the workers are paid less than the amount charged for the product
Ignores family diversity
Marxists only discuss the role of the nuclear family by passing all other family types
Deterministics
Overemphasises the role of the family in maintaining capitalism and ignores other inequalities such as the role of the family in in maintaining patriarchy
Negative view
Ignores the positive effects that the family can have for its members
