Marxist veiw of the family

• What is conflict theory?

  A theory that emphasizes social conflict
• What does capitalism refer to?

  An economic system based on private ownership
• Who are the bourgeoisie?

  The ruling class in capitalist societies
• Who are the proletariat?

  The working class in capitalist societies
• What does exploitation mean in a Marxist context?

  Taking advantage of workers for profit
• What is alienation in Marxist theory?

  Feeling disconnected from one's work and society
• What is a nuclear family?

  A family unit consisting of two parents and children
• How do Marxists view the nuclear family?

  As a tool to maintain the ruling class's position
• What capitalist-friendly goals do nuclear families encourage?

  Materialism, consumerism, and competition
• Who proposed the Marxist view of the family?

  Engels, Zaretsky, and Marcuse
• What is the primitive communism stage of family evolution?

  A stage with no rules about relationships
• Why was the monogamous nuclear family necessary in capitalism?

  To control inheritance and property rights
• What are the three functions of the family according to Zaretsky?

  Socialisation, stabilisation, and consumption
• What does Marcuse mean by 'false needs' of the family?

  Desires created by capitalism to consume more
• What roles do Marxists believe the family performs in a capitalist society?

  • Passing on wealth to male heirs
  • Socialisation of children
  • Sanctuary for workers
  • Free housework and childcare
  • Unit of consumption
• How do Marxist views of the family compare to Functionalist views?

  Both see family as a socialising unit
• What is the evaluation of Marxist views of the family?

  They logically follow from Marxist theory
• What do anthropologists suggest about the nuclear family and capitalism?

  Nuclear family appearance predates capitalism
• What is false class consciousness?

  Workers' inability to recognize their exploitation
• What do Marxist feminists argue about the nuclear family?

  It benefits men more than women
• What does Margaret Benston argue about women's roles in the family?

  Women provide unpaid domestic labor
• What link did Fran Ansley find between capitalism and domestic violence?

  Frustrated male workers abuse their wives
• Compare and contrast Marxist and Functionalist views of the family.

  Similarities:

  • Both see family as a socialising unit
  • Both recognize the importance of family structure

  
  

  Differences:

  • Marxists view family as a tool for capitalism
  • Functionalists view family as a stabilizing force in society
• What is the purpose of the plenary activity mentioned?

  To evaluate statements about Marxist views
• What does the statement "Marx put too much emphasis on consensus" imply?

  Marx underestimated conflict in society
• What does the statement "Ignored the abuse of power by the Bourgeoisie" suggest?

  Marxists overlook class exploitation issues
• What does the term 'reserve army of labour' refer to?

  Women available for low-paid jobs
• What is the significance of the ideology "a woman’s place is in the home"?

  It justifies women's unpaid domestic roles
• What does the term 'takers of shit' imply in Ansley's research?

  Women absorb men's frustrations from work
• What is the main argument of Marxist feminists regarding the family?

  The family structure exploits women for men's benefit
• What does the term 'polarisation of the classes' refer to?

  The widening gap between rich and poor
• What does the statement "Did not predict an emerging middle class" imply about Marxist theory?

  Marxism failed to account for class changes
• What does the statement "Was a very positive view of society at the time" suggest about Marxist views?

  Marxism was optimistic about societal progress
• What does the statement "Did not explain why capitalism was spreading if it was so bad" imply about Marxist theory?

  Marxism lacks a clear explanation for capitalism's growth
• What does the statement "False class consciousness has not been proven" imply about Marxist views?

  Marxist claims lack empirical support
• What does the statement "Communism is an ‘ideal’ that can’t work" suggest about Marxist theory?

  Communism is impractical in real-world scenarios
• What does the statement "Marx put too much emphasis on consensus" imply about Marxist views?

  Marx underestimated the role of conflict
• What does the statement "Ignored the abuse of power by the Bourgeoisie" suggest about Marxist theory?

  Marxism overlooks class exploitation issues