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MARXIST PERSPECTIVE OF THE FAMILY - Coggle Diagram
MARXIST PERSPECTIVE OF THE FAMILY
Key ideas
Argue that the nuclear family performs ideological functions for Capitalism
E.g. family acts as a unit of consumption + teaches passive acceptance of hierarchy
It is also the institution through which the wealthy pass down their private property to their children which reproduces class inequality
Structural conflict approach
Bourgeoisie = rich/powerful/elite who exploit the proletariat in order to gain their wealth
Proletariat = the working class
Engels - Emergence of the nuclear family - inheritance of wealth
Monogamous nuclear family only emerged with Capitalism
Before Capitalism traditional/tribal societies were classless + they practiced a form of '
primitive communism
' in which there was no private property
In these societies, property was collectively owned, and the family structure reflected this - there were no families as such, but the tribal groups existed in a kind of 'promiscuous horde' in which there were no restrictions on sexual relationships
But, with the emergence of Capitalism in 18th Century, society + family changed
Capitalism = a system based on private ownership - Bourgeoisie use their own personal wealth to personally invest in businesses in order to make profit, they don't invest for the benefit of everyone else
Eventually, the Bourgeoisie started to look for ways to pass on their wealth to next generation because they didn't want to have it shared out amongst society
This is where the monogamous nuclear family came from - it is the best way to guarantee that you are passing on your property to your son, because in a monogamous relationship you have a clear idea of who your own children are
Children of rich grow up into wealth = reproduces inequality
Nuclear family = benefits the Bourgeoisie more than the Proletariat
Patrilineal inheritance meant that in order to be sure of a child's father, people formed monogamous relationships to protect claims on their property
The need for legitimate heirs to pass on property led to the control of sexual behaviours and the development of monogamous relationships
Althusser - Family = Ideological Apparatus
Modern Nuclear family function = promotes values that ensures reproduction + maintenance of capitalism
Family = ideological state apparatus - which means it socialises people to think in a way that justifies inequality + encourages people to accept the capitalist system as fair, natural + unchangeable
E.g. within a family there is a hierarchy which teaches children that there will always be someone in 'authority'
They must obey this 'authority which then mirrors the hierarchy of boss=worker in paid employment later in life
The modern nuclear family – a hierarchical structure which supports capitalism
The ideological state apparatus controls the behaviours of the working class through social institutions such as family
Elites suggest the ways in which family life should be organised and this should be through social institutions such as family, socialising children into acceptable behaviours
These behaviours were then policed though other agencies: education, welfare, social services - children 'bought up properly'
Zaretsky - Family = Unit of Consumption
Capitalists/business owners want to keep worker's wages down so they can make a profit, but to do so they must also be able to sell the workers goods, e.g. they must create demand for their products
Family builds demands through:
Keeping up with material goods/services
acquired by their neighbours + peers
E.g. family holiday/cars
There are significant amounts of advertising and TV programmes influencing parents in this way
Media companies target children in their advertising
who then persuade parents through
pester power
to buy more expensive items
This is particularly bad in the UK where there are few legal restrictions on adverts aimed at children + Sweden advertising aimed at children under 12 is illegal
Hochschild
- more contemporary view on family life becoming commodified
In 21st century, families + personal relationships have become transactions in the 21st century
Alienation occurs not only in work, but at home with a separation of the emotional burden of caring for children and others in family
However, Hochschild suggested that this led to emotional struggles + impacted on self-esteem/self-worth of individuals
Zaretsky - cushioning effect
Similar to Parson's Warm Bath Theory
Family acts as a comfort from the stresses + strains of society
Zaretsky - family allows a man to feel incontrol which he doesnt feel in the workplace
Maintains capitalism because prevents proletariat from recognising their oppression