Althusser

• Marxist Althusser says the educational function of the family only benefits capitalism and not the individuals
• Althusser says children are socialised through ISA's that it is normal to accept inequality as being inevitable in a capitalist society
• Althusser says children are socialised through ISA's (Ideological State Apparatus) that it is normal to accept inequality as being inevitable in a capitalist society
• Althusser's view on ISA (Ideological State Apparatus) and RSA (Repressive State Apparatus)


  ISA maintains the rule of the bourgeoisie by controlling people's ideas, values and beliefs (e.g. religion, mass media, education, families)

  RSA maintains the rule of the bourgeoisie through force (e.g. police, courts, prisons, armed services)
• Althusser sees the family as an ISA as it socialises children into capitalist values, ultimately preparing them for working life
• Functionalist Murdock argues against Althusser's ISA claim, saying the family performs the educational function, passing on shared norms and values beneficial to both individuals and society
• Radical Feminists argue Althusser ignores the subordination of women within families as families are in place to pass on patriarchal ideologies, gender differences are the greatest inequalities experienced (by women)