Marxist Views

• The nuclear family is not a functionally necessary institution, but it helps to keep capitalism going. It is designed to work for the economy and not for the individuals
• Capitalism is the way our society is based on money - earn, spend, earn, spend
• The nuclear family is important for capitalism:

  • Primary socialisation - reproduces and maintains class inequalities and capitalist society - keeps them going, but not important for individuals
  • Provide unpaid labour for capitalism. Reproduce and socialise the next generation of workers. Provide emotional support to deal with exploitation at work
• The nuclear family is important for capitalism:

  • Consumer units - families buy products for their family so the bourgeoisie can profit. Support capitalism.
  • Private property is passed on to sons. Leads to monogamous marriage where the man controls and owns his wife. Ensures that property remains within the family, but helps to reproduce the social class system.
• Strengths:

  • We still buy things in society today and it is very rare that we make it ourselves
  • Every time we buy something we give more money to the ruling class
  • The family does relieve stress for each other (link to Parsons warm bath theory). Negative because this allows them to deal with exploitation and continue working.
  • They don't think of the nuclear family as a necessary institution and see that there are different types of family for the institution of family
• Weaknesses:

  • It can be seen as an old fashioned approach
  • Lots of women now have their own incomes and some are more successful than men
  • Ignores how people are more likely to marry because of love instead of social obligation
  • Very negative, ignores the benefits of nuclear families
  • Class is less relevant in society today whereas other factors are now more relevant such as ethnicity
  • It may be seen as outdates