The role of socialization in determining behaviour is recognized. Marxists reject the functionalist view that society is based on value consensus and therefore operates for the benefit for all. Marxist ideas illustrate the power of the economy in shaping relationships and ideas as well as offering a solution or alternative to society. Thus, there is no material benefit for the family itself, only for the capitalist structure. Thus started the structure of the monogamous nuclear family - with a definitive way of identifying a legitimate heir, the ruling class could pass down their private property and wealth to their children. The modern nuclear family functions to promote values that ensure the reproduction and maintenance of capitalism. The division of labor pits man against his fellow man; it creates class differences; it destroys the unity of the human race. But it was a very personalistic view of Marxism, uninformed by the totality of world events surrounding it. London: New Left. Feminist theory aims to highlight the social problems and issues that are experienced by . Ultimately what this arrangement does is to reproduce inequality The children of the rich grow up into wealth, while the children of the poor remain poor. Rewrite the following sentences, adding or deleting commas as necessary. Ultimately, however, this arrangement served to reproduce inequality. Assess the strengths and weaknesses of Marx's analysis of Capitalism Marxism is a critique of Capitalism that had its greatest strength in its argument against human isolation and tyranny. I cant find the author. Marxists have been criticized for overemphasizing how the family is shaped by the needs of capitalism. Answer and Explanation: Become a Study.com member to unlock this answer! 2 - The nuclear family structure allows for the inheritance of private property, which reproduces social class inequalities. The strength of the new right is that it views the nuclear family into having positive aspects. Zaretsky believes the family performs both an ideological function and an economic function that benefits the bourgeoisie. I have chosen to write about Marxism as it is the starting foundation for the class system we use today. That is to say, the family is an ideological agent, a puppet, of the ruling class. The Marxist perspective on the family focuses on the nuclear family and ignores other family types that exist in contemporary society. Stressing the role of class struggle or conflict within society between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat, it is effective in explaining change in society. Positive. The family reproduces the next generation of workers that will be exploited as labour power by the capitalist system. This weakness benefits the boss. Therefore, the family has an ideological function that upholds the capitalist superstructure. Evaluation of the Marxist Theory of the Family. They are exploited for unpaid domestic labour and for their ability to reproduce, which benefits men and capitalism respectively. A church may be supportive when you are married but have harsh rules about divorce. London: New Left. What are the weaknesses of Marxism? Feminists argue that gender inequality existed ____ the emergence of capitalism, contrary to Engels' belief. Therefore, Marxism does not accept people believing in unscientific matters, and so people are . Fig. Marxism points out the unpleasant aspects of family life and the inequalities of power within the family. The support may vanish after you are divorced. It creates a system of true equality. For functionalists, society is seen as a system of social institutions such as the economy, religion and the family all of which perform socialisation . Marxists see each institution of society as performing the role of upholding the capitalist superstructure, which ultimately helps to sustain a capitalist society. The health system mirrors the society's class structure through control over health . Capitalists/business owners want to keep workers wages down so they can make a profit, but to do so they must also be able to sell the workers goods i.e. All in all, some of Marxism' s most important . Further exacerbating these purchases motivated by "false needs" is the built in obsolescence of many products. But when that worker has to also take dependents into account (e.g. ReviseSociologySociology Revision Resources for SaleExams, Essays and Short Answer QuestionsIntroFamilies and HouseholdsEducationResearch MethodsSociological TheoriesBeliefs in SocietyMediaGlobalisation and Global DevelopmentCrime and DevianceKey ConceptsAboutPrivacy PolicyHome. Marxist views on Family Marxists see the nuclear family as serving the ruling class (bourgeoisie) as it promotes capitalist values and discourages disagreement and criticism of inequality the way capitalism is organized. Talcott Parsons is a functionalist and he claims that the family has positive functions, such as providing a 'safe haven' and place of comfort for its members. The conflict theory originated with German philosopher Karl Marx. Due to this, middle-class children are more likely to succeed academically and beyond. The bourgeoisie owned all of the wealth and resources and passed it down to the next generation of rich capitalists whilst the proletariat, the working masses, had nothing. The family structure builds demand for goods in several ways. By socializing children into ruling-class values, the family ensures that children will become uncritical and conformist adults and passive workers who accept exploitation with little complaint. A nuclear family refers to a traditional family structure consisting of a two-parent family with one or more children. Bourdieu argued that all of the above factors mean that working-class children have a 'cultural deficit'. Clearly family must be about more than what happens to your money when you die. On the other hand, working-class children are less likely to enjoy such benefits and thus may miss out on work and educational opportunities. Marxists see families as essentially a conservative institution that helps to preserve capitalism. 2. Next, we'll look at American professor Eli Zaretksy's views on the family. Properties and resources were owned collectively. 1. It is unlikely that overthrowing capitalism will remove patriarchy altogether. Marx also gives people of lower social class confidence and hope in trying to overthrow capitalism by standing up for their human rights. Why is the Marxist perspective of the family seen as overly deterministic? Marxists believe that the family unit upholds capitalism and recreates social class inequalities. Cite evidence from the text to support your response. Before reading this post, you might like to look at this summary of the key ideas of Marxism. Marxism has equal gender roles, education access, and health care as part of its foundation. It also ignores the other benefits that all family members may get from family life: the emotional support, comfort and generally the positive benefits. Johnson, D. P. (2008). It acknowledges the influence of structural factors on the family. It includes a broad range of issues that women face within the criminal justice system and society. This reinforces social class inequalities. For example: Husbands are taught to obey their employers and other authorities. Next, we'll consider French sociologist Pierre Bourdieu's views on the family. The functionalist approach illustrates how a social institution can work at two different levels - both fulfilling the needs of each individual and meeting the needs of the whole society at the same time. 6 Longitudinal Study Strengths and Weaknesses, How To Leave An Emotionally Abusive Relationship, The Ability To Move Things With Your Mind, How To Tell Is Someone Is Lying About Cheating. This makes both the parents and children think the exploitation is 'normal' and creates false class consciousness. The Marxist perspective ignores family diversity in capitalist society, the nuclear family is no longer the main type of family. The strengths and weaknesses of this philosophy show some sets of benefits and drawbacks, creating a system of government that is prone to abuse, that is why Marx to fix its flaws. The word Fascist is taken from fascio, an Italian word which mean a tied bundle of sticks, fascio is used in . Basically, Marx was a communist, political journalist and an advocate for human rights, but his philosophyMarxismis a very important aspect in some of the worlds societies to identify. 2 The Traditional Natural Law Theory: Strengths and Weaknesses The theory provides a clear understanding of procreation as an inherent gift important to animals and plants. This 'prepares' them for adulthood so that they can be docile, obedient workers and retain false class consciousness. Not everyone conforms to or accepts the values of capitalism. After studying this section, you should be able to understand: key concepts such as nuclear families, extended families and households. Why? It socialises children into accepting capitalist ideologies and authority, which prepares them to accept control and exploitation in the workplace. Upload unlimited documents and save them online. According to Althusser, the role of the family is to produce submissive individuals that will benefit the capitalist system. The rich remained rich whilst the poor remained poor. Assess the strengths and weaknesses of the Marxist view of the role of education in society. Conflict theories assume that all societies have structural power divisions and . This is called 'pester power'. The strength of conflict theory is that it seeks moral ends: the emancipation of humanity from false claims of "universality.". a spouse and children) that becomes a much more difficult decision. Sign up to highlight and take notes. Its weaknesses lie in the reductionist view of health - the roles Parsons requires are not cut and dry due to influences from internal and external sources - for example, the requirement of seeking professional advice is something . As Marx felt that religion was used to control people, Marxism would not allow people to be free of choosing their spirituality. The cushioning effect is similar to Parson's theory of the Warm Bath, in that the family acts as a relief from social stress and tension. This is because it does not take into account the essential greediness and selfishness of the human being. Marx believed that there should be no ownership of private property because this reproduces social class inequalities and benefits the bourgeoisie. (Original work published 1970).