Item B

Marxists see all social institutions as serving the interests of capitalism. They
argue that institutions such as the family help to maintain the system of class
inequality and exploitation. Alternatively, functionalists argue that the family
performs vital functions for the whole of society. For example, family members
benefit from the support and emotional satisfaction that they give each other.
Applying material from Item B and your knowledge, evaluate the contribution
of Marxist views to our understanding of the family.
[20 marks]

Marxists believe that the family is a key ideology within society and that without
this institution there would be less structured society. They see the family as a
way for the bourgeoisie to reinforce this ideology. Their beliefs will be reflected
on through this essay and there beliefs.

From item b we can deduce that Marxist believe the family is a ‘social institution’
that only serves the ‘interest of capitalism’. This can bee seen through Engles
theory as he states the family is mainly a means of passing on private property.
This is an institution that allows the Bourgeois to pass on their wealth to the next
generation, rather than having it shared out amongst the masses. This is why
Engels believes the monogamous nuclear family is the ideal mechanism for the
proof of paternity. Therefore, allowing the correct heritage of land and property.
This is how the class system is reinforced within society as the Bourgeois pass on
their wealth form generation to generation, and the proletariat remains in the
lower class. The inheritance of wealth in this way promotes inequality within
society, as the nuclear family mainly helps the Bourgeois pass on wealth. Post
modernists would disagree with this ideas as they would argue that people do
not marry and have children to pass on property, but because they have love for
each other. This is one example as to how the family reinstates capitalist views.

Another way the family ‘serves’ in favour of the capital, is through the ideological
state apparatus, this allows the ruling class to “maintain the system of class
inequality and exploitation.’ The ideal sate apparatus was an idea that was
popularised by Althusers. A Marxist sociologist who believes the family is an
agencies, which serves to spread the ideology, and justify the power of the
dominant class. An example of this is false class-consciousness by families
socialising the ideology of the ruling class (Bourgeois) controlling the masses.
Allowing them to project ideas, that is of their best interest, onto society. Which
does not benefit society as a whole. Another way society justifies inequality
through ideological apparatus is by socialising hierarchy. This is done by families
teaching children to accept authority, which can later be seen when working by
accepting the ruling class as having authority. This links to class inequality by
families projecting the idea of inequality form a young ages allowing the ruling
class oppress the lower classes.
A contradicting view of the family is that of a functionalist. From item B we can
infer that functionalist believe the family is a ‘vital’ part of society. Functionalists
believe the family is a vital institution within society and that it is a key agency
for the fabric of a integrated society. An example of how the family does this
Parsons Warm Bath Theory. Which is derived form the idea the family relives
stressed and tension form work and helps adults personalities stabilised and
leave family members content, as it is an outlet for families to express
themselves. This can be supported in Marxism by sociologists such as Zaretsky
who believes the family stabilises capital. As the family can be seen as a intuition
that allows a escape route form the oppressive workplace. The family being a
private place where people can have a personal life and feel valued, thereby
undermining the oppressive nature of the capital. This sexual division of labour,
as women will have an ‘expressive’ role in the family by giving emotional support
looking after the children. This is seen as a criticism of functionalism and
Marxism as it oppresses women.

In conclusion the family is seen as a supporting intuition for capitalism, As it

socialises and normalise the views of the ruling class. Whereas functionalist
believe the family is a key agency that integrates humans into a functioning
society.