Who do they believe that the family benefits?
Marxists believe that the family benefits capitalism and the Ruling Class, with families
acting as a unit of consumption; they spend a lot of money buying different goods
and services. This includes:
- Groceries
- Family car(s)
- Holiday(s)
- Technology and electronics
- Delphy and Leonard
They said the family also acts as a ‘safety valve’
where (typically male) workers can return home to
relieve their stress, taking it out on their families
(or their wife in particular). Are there any similarities with
the other theories?
(Functionalism or Feminism)
- ‘Safety valve’ idea is similar to the ‘warm
bath’ theory in Functionalism.
- Socialisation; they differ with functionalism in
Family - Marxism who benefits and what values are being
passed on
Is this still applicable in modern society?
Yes No
- Most families still act as a unit of - Marxism is very outdated, with class
consumption and need to provide for structures being very different now
their family and more social mobility with a much
- There are also still: bigger middle class.
● Social classes - Ignores the fact that women are now
● Social inequality working which removes their role of
● Capitalism is still focused on the being a safety valve. (Applying the
exploitation of workers for profits. same logic, they would now need
one themselves).
Marxists believe that the family benefits capitalism and the Ruling Class, with families
acting as a unit of consumption; they spend a lot of money buying different goods
and services. This includes:
- Groceries
- Family car(s)
- Holiday(s)
- Technology and electronics
- Delphy and Leonard
They said the family also acts as a ‘safety valve’
where (typically male) workers can return home to
relieve their stress, taking it out on their families
(or their wife in particular). Are there any similarities with
the other theories?
(Functionalism or Feminism)
- ‘Safety valve’ idea is similar to the ‘warm
bath’ theory in Functionalism.
- Socialisation; they differ with functionalism in
Family - Marxism who benefits and what values are being
passed on
Is this still applicable in modern society?
Yes No
- Most families still act as a unit of - Marxism is very outdated, with class
consumption and need to provide for structures being very different now
their family and more social mobility with a much
- There are also still: bigger middle class.
● Social classes - Ignores the fact that women are now
● Social inequality working which removes their role of
● Capitalism is still focused on the being a safety valve. (Applying the
exploitation of workers for profits. same logic, they would now need
one themselves).
