Marxist views of the family

What is the general marxist view of the family?

they see the family as part of the superstructure- supporting and perpetuating the capitalist economy in a number of ways

Frederich Engels 1884- the evolution of the family and inheritance

Pre capitalism there was no family as such as means of production were shared and therefore no need for the knowledge of the rightful heirs to pass on to. Promiscuity and loose extended families were the norm

During the Industrial Revolution men took ownership of the means of production so needed to know who their offspring were for inheritance purposes

Men started to control the sexual activity of women, monogamy became the norm, supported by the state i.e. marriage

Therefore, the monogamous nuclear family support capitalism through primogeniture (inheritance to the oldest son) which further supports capitalism through social class reproduction and patriarchy.

Eli Zaretsky ‘a safe haven’

He argues that the nuclear family provides the illusion that it is a safe haven when it is actually just a prop for capitalism in three ways:

Via socialisation- usually the mother who socialises the next generation of workers into the capitalist ideology

Acts as a cushion and a distraction- women provide services for their husbands needs i.e. domestic work, sexually making him refreshed and prepared for the next day at work

Being a unit of consumption- for essential survival and leisure needs

Lasch and Donzelot- policing the family

These writers criticise the state for policing family life. they say it is constantly under surveillance when really it should be a place of freedom and self expression in an oppressive society

Professionals try to tell the family how to live and intervene when necessary. the govt also pass legislation which affects the family

e.g. social services intervene in troubled families, teachers manage safeguarding, health visitors, age restrictions

This shows how repressive a capitalist society is over its citizens

What are the strengths of Marxist views of the family?

They have good intentions, to end capitalism and more equality. They influence the govt not to be too ‘nanny state’

It also shows how the family support capitalism at the expense of the individual, furthering our understanding

Criticisms of the marxist view

Feminists argue that marxists emphasis on social class and capitalism underestimates the importance of gender inequalities

Functionalists argue that marxists ignore the real benefits that the family provides fortis members e.g. intimacy and emotional support and that the family benefits society as a whole, not just the economy.

Postmodernists question the credibility of marxism in reflecting the family in today’s society. marxists assume the nuclear family is dominant which ignores the wide and increasing family structures found in society today