Theories Of The Family : Marxists Flashcards
What is the basis of Marxists beliefs about the family ?
The family’s functions are performed purely for the benefit of the capitalist system we live in.
What are the purposes of the family in the eyes of Marxists ?
Inheritance of property, Ideological functions, A unit of consumption.
What does the inheritance of property imply ?
Marxists argue that the key factor determining the shape of all social institutions, including the family, is the mode of production (that is who owns + controls society’s productive force. It is the capitalist class that owns ad controls these means of production. Along with increased wealth came the development of private property as a class of men came along who could control the means of production. In Engel’s view, monogamy became essential because of the inheritance of property - men had to be certain of the paternity of their children in order to ensure that they are able to inherit their property and means of production.
What are the ideological functions of the Marxists view’s ?
They believe that the family performs key ideological functions for capitalism. By ‘ideology’ Marxists mean a set of ideas or beliefs that justify inequality and maintaining the capitalist society by persuading them that it is fair or unchangeable. One way they the family does this is by socialising children into the idea that hierarchy and inequality are inevitable. Parental power over children accustoms them with the power the government ill have over them and also other figures of authority in the real-world. Zaretsky states that also the family offers a safe haven from the harsh and exploitive real-world. It provides workers with their own life which Zaretsky says is false since the family does not meet its members needs.
What does idea of the unit of consumption imply about the purpose of the family according to Marxists ?
Capitalism exploits the labour of workers, making a profit by selling the products of their labour for may then it pays them to produce those commomodities. Advertisers urge families to keep up with the trendy families persuading them to buy more. Advertising to children causes them to persuade their parents to spend more. Children who lack the latest clothes and gadgets are mocked by their peers.
What are the criticisms of the Marxists perspective ?
Marxists tend to assume that the nuclear family is the most dominant in today’s society, ignoring the wide variety of family structures.
Feminists ague that the Marxist emphasis on class and capitalism ignores the importance of gender inequalities in the family.
Functionalist argue that they ignore the actual benefits the family provides or its members.
