The Marxist perspective on family

The Marxist perspective on family

1. Society is based on unequal conflict between two social classes:

   • The Proleteriat
   • The bourgeoisie

2. The family benefits capitalism only

3. Functions of the family

   • Inheritance of property
     • The bourgeoisie have to be certain of legitimate heirs
     • Women became 'a mere instrument of production of children'
   • Ideological functions
     • Ideology - a set of belies or ideas that justify inequality and maintain the capitalist system by persuasion that it is fair, natural or unchangeable
     • Socialising children to accept figures of authority and hierarchy
     • Zaretsky: the family is an apparent 'safe haven' from harsh and exploitative world of capitalism outside but it is merely an illusion
   • A unit of consumption
     • Urges families to keep up with all the latest products
     • Media targets children who use 'pester power' to persuade parents to spend more
     • Children who lack these goods are bullied
   • Criticisms
     • Ignores the variety of family types
     • Feminists: they put too much emphasis on capitalism and not the exploitation of women
     • Functionalists: ignores the beneficial aspects of family - intimacy

4. Mode of production (who owns and controls society;s productive forces) determine the structure of social institutions