marxism view on the family

What is Marxism

A conflict theory that focuses on inequality between the bourgeoisie and proletarian

What is capitalism

A system where wealth and businesses are privately owned

Who are the bourgeois and the proletariat

Bourgeoisie- upper class

Proletariat- working class

What is inheritance of property

Families pass private wealth and property from parents to their children

Why did monogamy become important

Men wanted to know who their children were to pass on their property

What is the ideological function

Families teach children that hierarchy and inequality is normal

What did Zaretsky argue about the family

The family isn’t a true haven because unequal power exist at home

What is a unit of consumption

Families buy products helping businesses make profits

What are “ keeping up with the Joneses” and “ pester power”

Keeping up..- buying the latest trends

Pester power- children persuading parents to buy things

What are two criticisms of Marxism

Functionalist- ignores family benefits

Feminist- focuses too much on class, not gender