Marxist Perspective

• Marxist Assumptions

  See capitalist society as based on unequal conflict between the capitalist (ruling) class and the working class. They see all of society's institutions (education system, media, religion, family) as helping to maintain class inequality and capitalism. They then see the functions of the family as purely benefitting the capitalist system; greatly contrasting Functionalism who see it as benefitting society as a whole and individual members of the family.
• Inheritance of Property

  Marxists argue mode of production (who owns and controls society's productive forces- tools, machinery, materials, land and labour) determines the shape of all social institutions. In modern society, capitalist class have control- as the means of production evolve, the family does too. Marx calls the earliest, classless society as 'primitive communism'- no private property, members owned production communally. At this stage, there was no 'family' as such, instead Engles calls it a 'promiscuous horde' with no restrictions of sexual relationships.
• Inheritance of Property- Private Property (1)

  As forces of production have developed, society's wealth has increased which causes the development of private property, as a class evolved who could secure control of means of production. This change brought the patriarchal monogamous nuclear family.
• Inheritance of Property- Private Property (2)

  Engles argues monogamy is essential as men had to be certain of the paternity of their children in order to ensure they were legitimate heirs. Claiming this represents a "world historical defeat of the female sex" where women became "a mere instrument for the production of children". Arguing only an overthrow of capitalism and private ownership of production means will allow women liberation. In the classless society there won't be a need for the patriarchal family as there is no reason to transmit property down generations.
• Ideological Functions

  Ideology- a set of beliefs that justify inequality and maintain the capitalist system by persuading people to accept it as fair, natural or unchangeable. Family does this by socialising children into the idea that hierarchy and inequality are inevitable. Parental (especially paternal) power over children accustoms them to the idea that someone is in charge, preparing them for working life in which they accept orders from their capitalist employers.
• Ideological Functions- Zaretsky

  Family also performs an ideological function by offering an apparent 'haven' from the harsh and exploitative world of capitalism, in which workers can 'be themselves' and have a private life. Though, Zaretsky argues that this is largely an illusion- the family cannot meet its members' needs. For example, it is based on the domestic servitude of women.
• A Unit of Consumption

  Capitalism exploits labour of workers, making profit from upselling products of their labour. The family then plays a major role in generating profits for capitalists: advertisers urge families to buy products the other 'families' are consuming; media target children who use 'pester power' to persuade parents to spend more; and children who lack the latest clothes risk getting mocked or stigmatised. Therefore the family acts as a source of profit which benefits capitalism, not members of the family.
• Criticisms of the Marxist Perspective

  They assume the nuclear family is dominant in a capitalist society, ignoring the wide range of family structures found today. Feminists argue they emphasise class and capitalism and underestimate gender inequalities within the family- feminists see this inequality as more fundamental, and that the family serves the interests of men, not capitalism. Functionalists claim they ignore the real benefits that family provide for its members.