Examine the Marxist contribution to our understanding of the family
by
lucerz (student)
Examine the Marxist contribution to our understanding
of the family (20 marks)
Marxism is a structuralist theory based on conflict, in particular class conflict. In capitalism the Bourgeoisie (owners of businesses and power) exploit the proletariat for personal gain. Marxist believe the only way to stop this is to have a revolution and convert to a communist society. Marxists believe the nuclear family props this system up, such as Zaretsky. They say how women are free labour, and this benefits capitalism. Others say communism will not work as it has never happened properly before. The Marxists do have some supporters such as the Radical Psychiatrists and the Marxist Feminists. On the other hand, Functionalists completely disagree and promote the nuclear family.
Engels suggests the origins of the nuclear family were when people started to earn money and buy goods and own possessions. They need a biological family they could pass their possessions down to, knowing they will be safe. He says this developed Capitalism, doing things for personal gain and creating inequality. Engels says the nuclear family supports capitalism by using women as an unpaid labour force. They stay at home and work for free, supporting the children and socialising them. They are the next generation of workers, their socialisation is a false-consciousness making them accept and appreciate capitalism. He also suggests the nuclear family are a safety valve for the exploited husband. He goes to work exploited all day by low pay, bad conditions and long hours, then comes home to a family he can control, whether that is making all the decisions or maybe in worst cases domestic violence. Engels and Zaretsky were influential in the 1900’s, therefore their ideas can be outdated. Modern evidence suggests the nuclear family developed after the herding of animals was introduced. Zaretsky was criticised for exaggerating the extent to which family can be an escape from work life since the family can also be characterised by cruelty, neglect and violence.
