Marxists

Question 1

What are Marxist’s main beliefs?

Answer 1

Claim individual are controlled by Capitalist
Think societies teaches the norms and values of the ruling class
This is makes people accept and not question their position in society

Question 2

What is Engels theory on private property?

Answer 2

• The nuclear family passes on private property to their heirs
  Mostly is passed down the paternity route
• The woman is used to provide these heirs and oppressed into doing so
• This would prevent the wealth from leaving the family.

Question 3

What is an evaluation of Engels?

Answer 3

• Nuclear families were around before capitalism developed
• The theory is outdated because inheritance is passed onto anyone not just men.

Question 4

What is Althusser’s theory

Answer 4

-Family is part of the ideological state apparatus
- Controls how we think and feel
- Taught that capitalism is fair and that we should accept it this would support the economy
- He also says we are kept in a false state consciousness

Question 5

What do functionalists say about Althusser’s theory

Answer 5

They say that the family teaches society norms and values and not those of the ruling class

Question 6

What do feminists argue?

Answer 6

They argue that the family passes on patriarchal norms and values

Question 7

What is One of Zaretsky’s theories?

Answer 7

• Family generate profit for the ruling class
• Through their consumption of products
• Adverts urge families to keep up with the newest trend by buying the newest products
• Children can have false needs that cause them to nag their parents to buy this product for them
• Buying these goods generates profit for the ruling class as they sell them.

Question 8

What is an evaluation of the family being a unit of consumption?

Answer 8

• postmodernists = We are no longer passively brainwashed as we choose what products we want to buy
• functionalists = the family as a unit of consumption benefits society and not just the ruling class.

Question 9

What is Zaretsky’s other theory?

Answer 9

The family is a safe haven
- the family offers a buffer zone from the exploitation that workers experience
- This is the place where workers can relax
- However, this is an illusion as the role of the family is to benefit capitalism

Question 10

What do functionalists say about this theory?

Answer 10

The family is a safe haven so people can relax and release tensions
Family is positive for everyone.