Marxist Perspective

• What do Marxists believe about the role of the family in society?

  Marxists see the family as upholding the capitalist superstructure.
• How does the nuclear family serve the interests of the capitalist system according to Marxists?

  The nuclear family serves the interests of the capitalist system by maintaining its structure.
• Who claimed that capitalism’s emergence created the nuclear family structure?

  Engels claimed that capitalism’s emergence created the nuclear family structure.
• Why did Engels believe the nuclear family structure was created?

  Engels believed it was created so the bourgeoisie could pass down private property.
• What is the ideological function of the family according to Zaretsky?

  Zaretsky believes the family performs an ideological function that benefits the bourgeoisie.
• What economic function does the family perform according to Zaretsky?

  Zaretsky believes the family performs an economic function that benefits the bourgeoisie.
• What are the main views of Marxists regarding the family and capitalism?

  • The family upholds the capitalist superstructure.
  • The nuclear family serves capitalist interests.
  • Engels: capitalism created the nuclear family for property inheritance.
  • Zaretsky: family has ideological and economic functions benefiting the bourgeoisie.
• What ideological functions does the nuclear family perform for Capitalism according to Marxists?

  The nuclear family acts as a unit of consumption and teaches passive acceptance of hierarchy.
• How does the nuclear family contribute to class inequality?

  It is the institution through which the wealthy pass down their private property to their children.
• What is the Marxist perspective on the family?

  • The family performs ideological functions for Capitalism.
  • It acts as a unit of consumption.
  • It reproduces class inequality.
• What is the nature of Marxism as a perspective?

  Marxism is a ‘structural conflict’ perspective.
• Who are the two main classes in Marxist theory?

  The Bourgeoisie and the Proletariat.
• What is the conflict of interests in Marxist theory?

  The Bourgeoisie exploit the Proletariat for wealth.
• Why does the conflict of interests rarely lead to revolution according to Marxists?

  Because institutions like the family perform ideological control.
• What does Marxism suggest about the evolution of family types?

  The family type changes with society, particularly with the capitalist system.
• According to Engels, when did the monogamous nuclear family emerge?

  With Capitalism.
• What characterized traditional, tribal societies before Capitalism?

  They were classless and practiced a form of ‘primitive communism’.
• How did property ownership affect family structure in tribal societies?

  There were no families as such, but tribal groups existed in a promiscuous horde.
• What is the relationship between Capitalism and the nuclear family according to Marxists?

  The nuclear family emerged to ensure the passing of wealth to the next generation.
• What criticism is made about Engels' view on gender inequality?

  Gender inequality preceded Capitalism.
• How does the nuclear family reproduce inequality?

  Children of the rich grow up into wealth, while children of the poor remain poor.
• What correlation is observed in wealthy capitalist economies regarding gender equality?

  They have seen the fastest improvements in gender equality over the last 100 years.
• How does the modern nuclear family function as an ideological apparatus?

  It socializes people to justify inequality and accept capitalism as fair.
• What does the hierarchy in families teach children?

  It teaches children to accept authority, mirroring workplace hierarchies.
• How does the family build demand for goods in Capitalism?

  1. Keeping up with material goods/services of peers (e.g., holidays, cars).
  2. Children influence parents through pester power for expensive items.
• What is a criticism of the Marxist view regarding determinism?

  It assumes people passively accept socialization and family life.
• What does the Marxist perspective ignore about family diversity?

  It ignores that the nuclear family is no longer the main type of family.
• How might family breakdown be beneficial for Capitalism?

  Divorce is expensive, leading to more spending on maintaining relationships.
• What do feminists argue against the Marxist focus on social class inequalities?

  It downplays the role of patriarchy as the real source of female oppression.
• What do feminists point out about sex inequalities in families?

  Sex inequalities exist within all families, irrespective of social class background.
• What benefits of the nuclear family does the New Right highlight?

  Both parents support the children, providing a functional environment for raising them.
• In which societies is the nuclear family found, according to the New Right?

  In most societies around the world.
• What are the three main functions of the family according to Marxists?

  Inheritance of property, ideological functions, and a unit of consumption
• How do Marxists view the family in relation to capitalism?

  They see the family as performing ideological functions for capitalism
• What are the similarities between Marxism and Functionalism regarding the family?

  • Both are structural theories
  • Both look at how the family contributes to society's structure
  • Both view the family as performing essential functions for modern industrial society
• What do Marxists believe about who benefits from the family?

  They believe the family benefits the minority in power in the economy
• According to Engles, what does the inheritance of property maintain?

  Power within a family and controls the mode of production
• What does Althusser argue about the family in capitalist society?

  He argues that the family is an ideological state apparatus that spreads ideology
• How does Zaretsky's view align with Althusser's perspective?

  Zaretsky agrees that the family serves an ideological role
• What do Marxist feminists argue about the family?

  They argue that the perspective is male-centered and women create a refuge for men