marxism

• what do Marxists see as the three functions of the family

  • Inheritance of property
  • a unit of consumption
  • ideological function
• Engles view on inheritance of property

  • the monogamous nuclear family exists so that the bourgeoisie can be assured that they have someone to inherit their property to ensure that the rich stay rich
• How does capitalist society bring about the women's sexuality under male control

  the proletariat realized the needed someone to pass on their wealth to so the wealth was kept within the family. So men began forming monogamous families with women to ensure property was inherited. Women became baby makers
• how are the family a unit of consumption

  the family produces goods for very little wages but are then encouraged to buy these at higher prices. This then benefits the bourgeoisie who owns the businesses as they profit from selling the goods back to the worker who made them for more money
• How does the media encourage consumption

  by advertising goods on TV, and 'must have' gadgets. Children will also use 'pester power' to receive the 'must have' toys or they will be stigmatised by peers
• How does the family perform ideological functions for capitalism

  the family socialises their children into hierarchy and inequality which prepares then for a working life in which they will accept orders from capitalist employers
• what does Zaretsky argue about ideological functions performed by the family

  the family provides an apparent 'haven' to stabilise personalities. It is somewhere for the proletariat man who comes home after being exploited by the bourgeoisie owner all day to blow of steam so that they are fit and ready to go back to work the next day to continue exploitation
• Evaluation of the Marxist functions of the family

  • assumes the nuclear family is the dominant structure so ignores the variety of family structures
  • Feminists argue that Marxist emphasis on class underestimates gender inequalities - the family serves interest of men
  • functionalists argue they ignore the real benefits the family provides for its members