Capitalist society is based on the conflict between the two social classes, captialist and working
All societies institutions help to maintain class inequality and capitalism
The marxists have identified several functions that they say the family does to fulfill capitalist agenda...
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The inheritance of property
Who owns and controls societies productive forces is what determins the shape of social institutions
In modern society, this is the capitalist class
Marx called the earliest classless society 'primitive communism' in which nothing was privately owned and there was no class or restrictions on sexual relationships
As societies wealth increased private property emerged
This change brought about the patriarchal monogamous nuclear family, this is because men now had to be certain of the paterinity of their children to ensure a legitimate inheritance
Engels- the rise of this family structure brings womens sexuality under male control and made her a mere insturment for the production of children
Marxists argue that only with the overthrow capitalism and private ownership will women achieve liberation
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Ideological Functions
The family today also performs key ideological functions for capitalist society
One way they do this is to socialise children into believing that hierarchy and patriarchy is inevitable
Parental power accustoms people to the idea that there will always be someone in charge of them
Eli Zaretsky-The family also performs the ideological function of providing an apparent safe haven from the harsh and exploitative capitalist world in which worker can be themselves
However they argue this is largely an illusion and that the family cannot actually meet its members needs
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A unit of consumption
Capitalism exploits its workers by selling the products of their labour for more than they are payed
The family plays an important role in generating profit as it is an important unit of consumption of capitalist goods
Adverts encourage families to consume
The media targets children
Social stigma is attached to the consumption of outdated products
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Criticisms of the Marxist perspective
Assume that the nuclear family is the dominant family type in society and ignores the increase in family diversity
Feminists argues an overemphasis on class divide and conflict and that the real issue in society is gender inequality
The family primarily serves the need of men rather than capitalism
Functionalists argue that Marxists ignore the very real benefits that the family provides to its members
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