Summary Marxist perspective - Families and households (paper 2) + evaluation

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MARXIST view on the family
-The family as it exists is only beneficial for the BOURGEOISIE. it serves to maintain the
exploitation of the PROLETARIAT.
-reproduces the class system. (keeps the rich rich and the poor poor)



The family and transmission of property (inheritance)
-ENGELS - modern nuclear family developed due to capitalist society. Before people owned
properties, people lived in promiscuous hordes. The development of industrialisation meant the
ownership of private property became the heart of the family. Women were not allowed to inherit
properties. This benefited Capitalism because the rich inherited the property, whilst the poor
inherited nothing.



The family reproduces capitalist ideology though hierarchies
-ALTHUSSERS (1971)- main function of family is to socialise children into believing
capitalism is fair, just and inevitable. Exposes them to the idea that hierarchy and inequality are
inevitable. From the day they are born, they get the idea that someone is in charge at all times
(parents).



MARXIST view on the family 1