MARXIST

• Marxists see capitalist society as based on an unequal conflict between the two social classes

  the capitalist class who own the means of production

  the working class whose labour capitalists exploit for profit
• see society's institutions as helping to maintain class inequality. So the functions of the family are performed solely for the benefit of the capitalist system
• the family exists to maintain capitalist society in three ways

  1. inheritance of property
  2. source of ideology
  3. source of profits
• • The earliest classless society was "primitive communism" as all of society owns the means of production
  • there was no family and no restrictions on sexual relationships so society was a "promiscuous horde"
• Engels view

  monogamy became essential because of the inheritance of private property, men had to be certain of the paternity of their children to ensure legitimate heirs inherited their property
• Engels View

  the monogamous nuclear family brought female sexuality under male control and turned women into a "mere instrument for the production of children"
• family is a source of ideology

  Zaretsky

  family socialises children into the idea that hierarchy and inequality are inevitable, preparing them for working life
• family as a source of ideology

  Zaretsky

  family offers a "haven" from the exploitation of capitalism

  this is really and illusion to prevent rebellion against the ruling class
• family as a source of profit

  family plays a major role in generating profits for capitalists by being an important market for consumer goods
• Marxists have called for the abolition of the family
• CRITICISMS

  • Marxists assume the nuclear family is dominant in capitalist society, ignoring the wide variety of family structures in today's society
  • feminists argue that the Marxist emphasis on class and capitalism underestimated the importance of gender inequalities within the family. The family serves men not capitalism
  • functionalists argue that Marxists ignore the very real benefits that the family provides for its members