marxist view of the family

Marxism

A sociological perspective that sees society as being in a state of unequal conflict between the capitalist class who controls production and the working class whose labor is exploited for profit.

Capitalist Class

The social class that owns and controls the means of production in a capitalist society.

Working Class

The social class whose labor is exploited by the capitalist class for profit.

Ideological Functions

The role of institutions, such as the family, in promoting and legitimizing social inequality and capitalist interests.

Inheritance of Property

The transmission of property rights from one generation to the next, which Marxists argue supports capitalism and patriarchy.

Eli Zaretsky

An American Marxist who analyzed the family in relation to capitalism, arguing that the family serves to provide a refuge from the capitalist world.

Primitive Communism

A social structure without private property or class divisions, where all members of society own production communally.

Patriarchal Nuclear Family

A family structure characterized by male dominance, where property and lineage are transferred through male heirs.

Pester-Power

A term referring to the influence children have on their parents to purchase goods and services, often as a result of social pressures.

Socialization into Accepted Inequality

The process by which the family instills in children an acceptance of social hierarchy and inequalities.

Marxist View of Family Functions

Marxists argue the family supports capitalism through functions like inheritance of property, ideological functions, and consumer roles.

Jennifer Somerville (2000)

A critic of Zaretsky who argues that his portrayal of the family as solely a refuge from capitalism is exaggerated and ignores the realities of women's lives.

Functionalism vs. Marxism

Functionalists view family as beneficial to individuals, while Marxists see it as serving capitalist interests and maintaining class inequalities.