The role of the family

Question 1

Marxists are critical of the Functionalist views on socialisation within the family.

Discuss

Answer 1

Marxists are critical of the Functionalist views on socialisation within the family. They DO NOT agree that children are socialised into shared cultural norms and values which will ultimately benefit all of society as a whole. Marxists argue that socialisation benefits the interests of the ruling class/bourgeoisie.

Question 2

What did Zaretsky bring to the Role of the Family within Marxism?

Date

Answer 2

Zaretsky (1976) highlights this by giving the example that the family instils capitalist values, such as obedience, respect for authority which are useful to the capitalist ruling class to maintain dominance. The learning of these values ensure that individuals can be exploited later in life but will not necessarily understand that they are being exploited due to the ideology that they have been taught through primary socialisation within the family.

1976,

Question 3

What does accepting the Marxist Capitalist Values achieve?

Answer 3

Accepting these capitalist values reduces conflict, increases conformity which therefore means that exploitation can occur unchallenged.

Question 4

Which Functionalist disagrees with Marxist views on Family in your course notes?

What does he argue?

Answer 4

Functionalist, Parsons, disagrees that the family passes down a capitalist ideology, thus reinforcing a class-based conflict.

He argues that the family actually build solidarity

Question 5

What is the position of Radical Feminists on Marxism and the Family?

Answer 5

Radical feminists argue that the main ideology being socialised within the family is not capitalist values, but actually patriarchal values.

Question 6

What does Interactionism argue for with respect to Marxism and the Family?

Answer 6

Interactionism argues that individuals are not ‘passive’ victims of socialisation, but ‘active’ in the process of socialisation

Question 7

What do Postmodernists argue for with respect to Marxism and the Family?

Answer 7

Postmodernists argue that there is a choice within the family in terms of socialisation – we can teach non-capitalist values if we want. PM also argue that Marxism ignore the wide and increasing variety of family structures that exist in the contemporary UK.