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Marxism and the family (Evaluation (Marxists ignore the increasing family…
Marxism and the family
Fredrick Engels
Inheritance of private property
The family developed so that men could control children and women.
They could pass property onto their biological offspring.
Monogamy became essential.
Men had to be certain of their paternity.
What is Capitalism?
The Capitalist Class (Bourgeoisie) is a minority that own means of production.
The Working Class whose labour the capitalists exploit for profit.
Goods and businesses are owned privately for the purpose of profit.
Eli Zaretsky
Unit of Consumption
The family is a prop to the capitalist system.
Unpaid work of housewives supports future generations of workers.
Consumes the products produced by the bourgeoisie.
The media targets children.
Nicos Poulantzas
Ideological Functions
Part of the superstructure.
Used to control and create values to support capitalism.
Simply "an ideological conditioning device"
Children learn to conform.
Socialises children to believe that hierarchy is inevitable.
Parental power accustoms children to the fact that someone is in charge.
How do Marxists view the family?
The functions of the family benefit the capitalist system.
Evaluation
Marxists ignore the increasing family diversity.
Feminism: Underestimate the importance of gender inequalities.
Functionalists: Marxists ignore the benefits that the family provides.
Zaretsky ignores the fact the family can be a place of cruelty.
Some families socialise children to the ruling class.
Marxism is useful at highlighting the importance of economic factors.