P2 Families and Households - Marxism and the Family

Question 1

What is the pre industrial society?

Answer 1

Before the capitalist system:
1. Everyone shared the labour communally
2. All members –> “means of production”

This was called a classless society.

Question 2

What is the post industrial society?

Answer 2

Everything designed to benefit Capitalism:
- Working class were expolited for their labour by the ruling class
- Means of production owned by the ruling class

This benefited only them (class exploitation)

Question 3

What do Marxists believe about the family?

Answer 3

Marxists have identified several fucntions that they see the Nuclear Family performing for Capitalism:
1. Inheritance of Property
2. Ideological Functions
3. Consumption

Question 4

What does Marx and Eagles argue is the monogamous nuclear family?

Answer 4

They believed the monogamous nuclear family was developed as a way to pass on private property to heirs.
They also argued the women’s role in the family was similar to prostitutes
- Provides sex in return for financial protection

Question 5

What does Louis Althussur argue?

Answer 5

Proleterait must submit to the Bourgeoisie:
- Via ideological state apparatus
- Leads to false consciousness

Question 6

What does Zaretsky argue is the family as an ISA?

Answer 6

• Family is an ideological function.
• Males have control
• As a consequence this release helps them deal with their daily oppression –> status quo of society

Question 7

What does Marxists believe about family socialisation?

Answer 7

The nuclear family supports the capitalism:
- When children are socialised they are taught to accept their position in society
- They are taught that it is vital to work
- They are taught the hierarchy of the system (the family represents society - another form of correspondence)

Question 8

How do Marxists believe the family is described as an ideological apparatus?

Answer 8

This means it socialises people to think in a way that justifies inequality and encourages people to accept the capitalist system as fair, natural and unchangeable.

Question 9

How do Marxists believe family plays a role in generating profits as a consumer?

Answer 9

1. Advertisers encourage latest consumption
2. Adverts target children “pester power”
3. Those who don’t have things are mocked.

Therefore the family is also a source of profit for capitalism

Question 10

What are criticisms of Marxism beliefs?

Answer 10

1. Some men marry for love and not to just pass down property. It is naive to think that families are made solely for property rights.
2. Many women work
   - They don’t need to marry and conceive for protection
3. Ignores the functions
   - That a family can play, with support, emotional security etc too focused on wealth and property
4. Too deterministic
   - Assumes people passively accept family life, plenty of families that reject consumerism and bring children up to be independent thinkers