Theories of the Family - Marxism

Question 1

key sociologists

Answer 1

Engels
Zaresky

Question 2

what 3 functions does the family perform to maintain capitalism

Answer 2

1. Inheritance of Property
2. Ideological Functions
3. A unit of consumption

Question 3

inheritance of property

Answer 3

Engels argues that the family exists for the bourgeoise to pass on private property following industrialisation. The nuclear family developed as a response to the growing trend to own private property and it was set up so that capital could legally be passed on to heirs and money could stay in the family. The monogamous nuclear family is therefore favoured in a capitalist society so that men could be sure that their children were their biological children in other to ensure that their legitimate children inherited from them. In Engels view the rise of the monogamous nuclear family represented ‘a world historical defeat of the female sex’. This was because it brought women’s sexuality under male control and turned them into mere instruments for the production of children. Women became ‘glorified prostitutes’ according to Engels who produced heirs in exchange for economic security.

Question 4

unit of consumption

Answer 4

Capitalism exploits the labour of workers, making a profit by selling the products of their labour for more than it pays them to produce those commodities. The family therefore, plays a role in generating profits for capitalism since it is an important markert for the sale of consumer goods and it is a source of profit for the bourgeoise.

Question 5

3 reasons why the family is a unit of consumption

Answer 5

1. Advertisement urges families to keep up with the Joneses by consuming latest products it creates competition between families which keeps capitalism running.
2. Media targets children - Targeted ads at children encourage parents to spend more, children use pester power to pester their parents to spend more, therefore the family becomes an essential institution to spend more
3. Children who lack the latest products are mocked and stigmatised by their peers which places more pressure on parents to spend.

Question 6

Ideological Functions

Answer 6

Zaresky argues that the family is also an ISA. It spreads capitalist ideology, the idea that capitalism is a fair, natural, equal system with no alternative, the family performs said ideological functions by socialising children to accept inequality within the system. The family structures reflect capitalist hierarchy and mirrors that of the workplace. For example, parental power over their children accustoms them to the idea that there always has to be someone in charge and this prepares them for a working life in which they will accept orders from their capitalist employers. Similarly, the family also presents an illusion of respite from the capitalist world. Which is an ideological function as it offers workers a haven from the alienating capitalist world outside. However, Zaresky argues that this is an illusion as the family cannot meet the needs of all its members and it sometimes provides more work or pressure for certain family members, in response to capitalism. For example the domestic servitude of women. The family provides a false sense of relief that is not based on reality.

Question 7

evals

Answer 7

Marxists tend to assume that the nuclear family is dominant in capitalist society. This ignores the wide variety of family structures found in society today
Feminists argue that the marxists emphasis on class and capitalism underestimates the importance of gender inequalities within the family. In the feminist view these are more fundamental than class inequalities and the family primarily serves the needs of men not capitalism
Functionalists argue that Marxists ignore the very real benefits that the family provides for its members