Topic 3: Marxist view of family
Marxism
The nature of the family is determined by the economic system- in modern society it serves
the interest of capitalism
The nuclear family is not universal but a product of capitalism
Central to Marxist discourse is the notion of exploitation-
Argued that families ensure the continuation of capitalism through ideological and physical
reproduction
The family moulds the future workforce by passing on values (passivity, hard-work)
Name: ENGLES
Concept: Property and the patrilineal line
Argument
Suggested that marriage began with early capitalism
As farming became successful enough to produce a surplus, men wanted to pass their
accumulated property down to their children- Patrilineal line-(inequality for women)
Could only be sure which children were their own if they controlled women, creating legal
bonds and punishments for those who were unfaithful
Wives became unpaid domestic servants dependant on and dominated by their husbands
(who own wealth)
Criticism
Engles’ theory was based on unreliable historical evidence but makes an interesting analogy
between men’s control of women and capitalists’ domination of the proletariat
Name: ZARETSKY
Concept: Warm Bath Theory
Argument
Viewed the family and the world of paid work as connected spheres,
Linked changes in family roles to economic developments:
As industrial processes became automated and unsatisfying, alienated male workers sought
satisfaction in their home lives, assigning women comforting domestic roles and expecting
them to maintain beautiful homes- SAFETY VALVE/ WARM BATH THEORY
Attempts to liberate women, by encouraging their education would not improve the status
of women within the family.
More radical changes were needed e.g. Care of children should be carried out by
neighbourhood services run by both sexes
Marxism
The nature of the family is determined by the economic system- in modern society it serves
the interest of capitalism
The nuclear family is not universal but a product of capitalism
Central to Marxist discourse is the notion of exploitation-
Argued that families ensure the continuation of capitalism through ideological and physical
reproduction
The family moulds the future workforce by passing on values (passivity, hard-work)
Name: ENGLES
Concept: Property and the patrilineal line
Argument
Suggested that marriage began with early capitalism
As farming became successful enough to produce a surplus, men wanted to pass their
accumulated property down to their children- Patrilineal line-(inequality for women)
Could only be sure which children were their own if they controlled women, creating legal
bonds and punishments for those who were unfaithful
Wives became unpaid domestic servants dependant on and dominated by their husbands
(who own wealth)
Criticism
Engles’ theory was based on unreliable historical evidence but makes an interesting analogy
between men’s control of women and capitalists’ domination of the proletariat
Name: ZARETSKY
Concept: Warm Bath Theory
Argument
Viewed the family and the world of paid work as connected spheres,
Linked changes in family roles to economic developments:
As industrial processes became automated and unsatisfying, alienated male workers sought
satisfaction in their home lives, assigning women comforting domestic roles and expecting
them to maintain beautiful homes- SAFETY VALVE/ WARM BATH THEORY
Attempts to liberate women, by encouraging their education would not improve the status
of women within the family.
More radical changes were needed e.g. Care of children should be carried out by
neighbourhood services run by both sexes
