Assess the Contribution of the Marxist approach to an Understanding of the Family

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Assess the Contribution of the Marxist approach to an Understanding of the Family

Marxism is a macro, structuralist theory (much like functionalism) which focuses on the conflict between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat. Marxists see this conflict as being the main tool in the maintenance of capitalism, as it's key function is to create an obedient, docile, uncritical workforce who will work to support the upper-classes lifestyle and the economy. Marxists do not view the family in a positive manner and believe that it is a tool of capitalism. According to them the family reflects inequalities in society and serves as an ideological institution which transfers ruling class ideas and beliefs onto the next generation during their primary socialisation. Marxism offers a different perspective on the family and helps us to examine its more negative aspects and the affect that modern family values and norms have on the lower working class people (as they are the majority).

Marxists organise society in two ways, the infrastructure and social superstructure. The superstructure maintains and legitimises the infrastructure whilst the infrastructure shapes the superstructure. The family (a part of the superstructure) helps to maintain the infrastructure (The ruling classes exploitation of the working class and control over the means of production). Many Marxists have examined the family and have found four key functions that it performs to support and maintain the social infrastructure. Inheritance of property within the nuclear family, socialisation of ruling class ideology, the creation of a unit of consumption for the economy and safety value within which the male workers of the proletariat are given means to express their frustration

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Engels (1884) refers to the function of inheritance of property as being created by the bourgeoisie to keep private property and wealth within the ruling classes by adopting a system of patrilineality.  He believed that the system of monogamous nuclear families developed at the same time as private property and before this there was no form of family that we would be able to understand.  Before the nuclear family was created sexual relationships were promiscuous and society was classless and matriarchal. The moment the idea of private property appeared the development of the family and marriage occurred in order ...

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