Marxist Views of the Family

Question 1

Marxist view of the family is…

Answer 1

Marxists believe that the family is a tool of capitalism and its main function is to maintain capitalism and reinforce social inequalities

Question 2

Marxist Functions of the Family

Answer 2

1. Inheritance of Wealth
2. Cushioning Effect
3. Unit of Consumption
4. Socialisation

Question 3

Inheritance of Wealth

Answer 3

ENGLES

• The isolation of the nuclear family means that men are able to confirm when a child is theirs and can ensure that wealth helps to maintain Capitalism

Question 4

Cushioning Effect

Answer 4

ZARETSKY

• The cushioning effect is similar to Parson’s warm bath theory in that the family acts as a comfort from the stresses and strains of society
• Zaretsky believes that the family allows a man to feel in control and powerful which they don’t feel in the workplace due to bourgeosie oppression. This also maintains capitalism as it prevents the proletariat from recognising their oppression and starting a revolution

Question 5

Unit of Consumption

Answer 5

ZARETSKY

• Families play a vital role in the generation of profits for the bourgeosie.
• Firstly the workers are paid less than the amount charged for the products they create.
• The family is then targeted by advertisers to buy the products they have created by urging families to ‘KEEP UP WITH THE JONES ‘ and targeting children to use ‘PESTER POWER’ to ensure that they have latest things to prevent bullying

Question 6

Socialisation

Answer 6

ALTHUSSER

• Marxists agree with Functionalists that the family is a key part of the socialisation process.
• However Marxists believe that the family socialises the next generation into ruling class ideology and the unequal social hierarchy. This maintains capitalism by ensuring the next generation accepts the ruling ideology as normal

Question 7

Evaluation (Limitations)

Answer 7

IGNORES FAMILY DIVERSITY
Marxists only discuss the role of the nuclear family, by passing all other family types

DETERMINISTIC
Overemphasises the family maintaining capitalism and ignores other inequalities such as the role of the family in maintaining patriarchy

NEGATIVE VIEW
Ignores the positive effects that the family can have for its members

Question 8

Evaluation (Strengths)

Answer 8

+ Discusses the idea that the nuclear family is not a social construction and not necessarily good for society

+ Explains the existence of the ‘dark side of the family’