Sociology: Families and households

Marxism:

A conflict theory which see's all society's institutions, such as the education system, the media, religion and the state, as helping to maintain class inequality and capitalsim. Society opperates soley for the benefit of the bourgeoise.

Key words:Bourgeoise, Proletariat , Superstructure, Ruling class ideology, False class conciousness, Capitalism

Key names: Engels, Zaretsky, Althusser and Poulantzas

Key Ideas:

• Unlike functionalists, marxists do not agree with value consensus & promise of meriotcracy (contrasts)
• Believe the functions of the family are performed solely for the benefit of the capitlist system..
• Presents the family as simply an instrument of the ruling class, raising the future work foce with the 'right' set of values and beliefs's, which will ensure social reproduction