Theories of the family Flashcards
How do marxists view society? (consensus or conflict)
Conflict
What are the main 3 functions of the family according to marxists?
- ideological functions
- inheritance of property
- a unit of consumption
What does the family fulfill according to marxists?
Capitalism
Define ideological functions
A set of ideas that justify the inequality of society, maintaining the capitalist system.
In terms of ideological functions, what do marxists say that the family do?
Family socialises children into the idea of hierarchy as parental power shows them that someone is always in charge.
How do Marxists see inheritance of property as benefitting capitalists?
As forces of production developed (industrial revolution) , societies wealth increased which started the development of private property. Led to nuclear family which enforces capitalism and continues.
What does Zaretsky say one of the ideological functions of the family is?
He says that ‘the family offers a haven from the harsh and exploitative world of capitalism where workers can be themselves.’
What does unit of consumption mean?
Capitalism exploits the labour of workers, making profit by selling the products of their labour for more than it pays for the to produce.
How do Marxists say that the family generate a capitalist society? (unit of consumption)
Advertisements urge families to consume latest products.
Media targets children which ends up in pester power.
Children who lack the latest items are stigmatised by peers.
How do feminists criticise Marxists theory of the family?
Say that marxists emphasise the class inequality and capitalism but underestimates the importance of gender inequality within the family.
Give one criticism of marxists theory of the family
They tend to assume nuclear family is the dominant one within capitalist society, ignoring the variety of family structures found in society today.
Give 2 examples of ideological functions of the family
Family socialises into idea of hierarchy.
Family provides safe haven from the exploitative capitalist society.
Who described the promiscuous horde and what does it mean?
Engels - people had no family structure so everyone had loose relationships
Why was the promiscuous horde replaced by monogamous marriage?
The Fathers needed to know who their sons were so they could pass down their inheritance of private property.
How do feminists view society? (conflict/consensus)
conflict
What are the 4 main types of feminist views on the family?
- liberal feminists
- radical feminists
- difference feminists
- marxist feminists
Which theory is the earliest form of feminism?
liberal
What do liberal feminists campaign for?
For equal rights and opportunities for women.
What do liberal feminists say about the position of women now?
Women’s oppression is gradually being overcome - sex discrimination act 1975
Moving towards greater equality but not full equality yet.
Who did liberal feminists hold a similar view to (functionalists)?
Young and Willmott’s march of progress view
What is one criticism of liberal feminists?
Other feminists say that they fail to challenge the underlying causes of womens oppression and believe that the laws are doing more than they actually are for society.
What do marxists feminists say that the cause of feminism is?
Capitalism - not the oppression of men.
Who says that womens oppression performs several functions for capitalism?
Margaret Benson
What are the 3 main functions women perform for capitalism according to marxist feminists?
- women reproduce the labour force by socialising children into capitalist society.
- women absorb the anger that would otherwise be directed at capitalism
- women are a reserve army of cheap labour that can be used when extra workers are needed.
