...the middle and upper classes exploit the working class for their labour, and create a false class consciousness that allows the proletariat masses to believe that this is a fair system. This theory also attempts to analyse and explain the family structure, criticising it on the basis that the family is an institution built solely to serve capitalist ideals and the bourgeoisie. There are several factors that support the idea that the family’s main role is to serve capitalism. For example, Marxists believe that the introduction of monogamy to society was caused by the need of men to be sure that their sons are genetically entitled to their assets. This oppression of women was put in place by men who supported capitalism, to allow their children to keep the wealth within their family. Marxists argue that monogamy turned women into ‘a mere instrument to reproduce the next generation’ showing that through the demand of women to create the ideal family, capitalism can thrive on the socialisation of the young into sharing their values and ideals. This shows that the monogamous nuclear family serves as an effective institution to maintain the capitalist values within society. Another factor to support the idea that the family maintains capitalism is the socialisation of young children into agreeing with the values and beliefs of the bourgeoisie. From a very young age, children are separated by their class into certain schools. While this system is less apparent in modern society...
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...Assess the marxist view that the main role of the family is to serve the interests of capitalism. In sociology there are many different perspectives on the family and the Marxists view is that the main role of the family is to serve the interests of capitalism. They would argue that they do this through primary socialisation, Althusser says that the family teaches the ideas of capitalism through socialisation as the family is part of the ideological state apparatus, teaching us not to question authority figures and be obedient to them, linking for when the individual work and the bourgeoisie will be the authority that they have to obey. Zaretsky who is also a Marxist had very similar views to Parsons, a functionalist who came up with the warm bath theory about family, but instead Zaretsky says that the family is a safety valve and also an illusion, that you think you’re coming home after a hard day at work to relax with your family but really they’re actually there just to rest you so that you can go straight back out to work again and serve capitalism the next day, all over again. The family also serves the interests of capitalism because families buy the latest consumer goods that are out to be judged on that basis by others, thinking that if they have the new good stuff then they will look better and a higher class of person but these are just seen as false needs and when families are getting tricked into thinking they need to buy these thing they are serving the bourgeoisie...
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...Asses the Marxist view that the main role of the family is to serve the interest of capitalism. Within sociology there are many different perspectives on the family. Each different perspective sees different things as the main role of the family. Marxists view the family in a very critical way. They believe that the main role of the family is to serve the interest of capitalism. They also believe that the family is seen as an institution which serves to maintain the position of the ruling class. Karl Marx's view on the capitalistic approach shows the unequal nature of the economic system. He shows how the middle and upper class take advantage of the working class and their labour; and that the working class are a tool used to create profit and to keep profit margins at acceptable levels. Marx also argues that the monogamous upper class nuclear family is developed to help solve the problem of the inheritance of private property. The men needed to know who their children were in order to pass on their property on. The family was therefore thought to be designed to control women and protect property. It encourages male power and dominance through the inheritance of property. Marxists argue that the families function is to socialise us into the ruling class ideology. They see the family as an institution which serves and maintains the position of the ruling class. As a result of this they see the family class split into two categories, a small powerful ruling class dominated by...
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...Using Material from Item 2b and Elsewhere, Assess the Marxist View That the Main Role of the Family Is to Serve the Interests of Capitalism Marxism is a structural conflict theory, they argue that the main role of the family is to serve the interest of capitalism, but is that how modern sociologist view the family? Each group in society has a different idea on what the main role of the family is. As Item 2B says, “Marxists see all social intuitions as serving the interests of capitalism.” This includes the family, and they say that it serves the interests of capitalism by maintaining and justifying class inequality and exploitation by the Bourgeoisie. Other groups, however, have different opinions, such as Functionalists who think that the family performs essential needs of society. Marxists and Functionalists opinions are completely contrasted, as Marxists think that we live in a Capitalist society based on unequal conflict between the classes, whilst Functionalists see society as based on “value consensus”, where everyone agrees. Much like Functionalist, Marxists over emphasise on the traditional nuclear family being the best. The family is an important audience for the sale of consumer goods because advertisers encourage families to be in competition with each other in an old fashion ‘keeping up with the Joneses’ type of way and to keep feeding into the latest trends. The Bourgeoisie don’t just exploit the proletariats they also target children with their bright and...
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...Marxism is a macro theory based on the key concept of social classes; its main theorist is Karl Marx. The main Marxist views are that the class system is important, meaning that the lower classes work for the upper class; they also view that males are more dominant and are depended upon by women within society. These are all factors that contribute to serving the interests of capitalism. Marxists see all social institutions as serving the interests of capitalism - this includes the family, and they say that it serves the interests of capitalism by maintaining and advocating the class inequality and exploitation by the rich through the primary socialisation of children; the family socialises children into accepting this upper class hierarchy and inequality. The parent’s power over their children gets the children used to the idea that someone is always in charge, which prepares them for working, where they will contribute to capitalism by adhering to orders from their employers. If the children continue to socialise with children of the same class, with similar norms and values, the inequality will continue to be thought of as right and they will socialise their children this way too - carrying the inequalities through multiple generations. However, if children are socialising with different classes in secondary socialisation, they may begin to question the inequality and change how they view this, this may therefore lead them to not want to work for the upper class, or in contrast...
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...see all social institutions as serving the interests of capitalism. They argue that institutions such as the family help maintain the system of class inequality and exploitation. One way in which the family does this is by socialising children into accepting hierarchy. The family is also an important market for consumer goods. Alternatively the functionalists argue that the family performs vital functions for society. For example, it benefits family members by offering mutual support and emotional satisfaction. Using the material from Item 2B and elsewhere assess the Marxist view that the main role of the family is to serve the interests of capitalism. (24 Marks) Each group in society has a different idea on what the main role of the family is. Marxists do not believe that society is based on value consensus, and rejects the view that it operates for the benefit of all. Instead, they see a basic conflict of interest between a small powerful ruling class and the mass of the population, the subject class. They therefore believe that the family is one of a number of institutions which serves to maintain the position of the ruling class. Similarly to Item 2B, “they argue that institutions such as the family help maintain the system of class inequality and exploitation”. For example, both Functionalists and Marxists see the family as a unit which reproduces and socialises children. However, Marxists also see the family as a means for reproducing ‘labour power’ – reproducing future...
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...Using material from item 2b and elsewhere assess the Marxist view that the main role of the family is to serve the interests of capitalism. Marxism is a conflict theory which sees all society’s institutions, such as the education system, the media, religion and the state, as helping to main class inequality and capitalism. For Marxists, therefore, the functions of the family are performed solely for the benefit of the capitalist system. This view contrasts sharply with the functionalist view that the family benefits both society as a whole and the individual members of the family. First of all one reason in which the family does serve capitalism, is through the origin of the family. Engels argued that the need for the family arose when society started to value private property. With the rise of private property an organised system of inheritance became necessary. This serves capitalism, because if land and fortunes are inherited, inequality will be reproduced, in that middle class families can pass on more property to their family. Whilst the working class have little if anything to pass down to their family. This goes against everything to do with communism as they believe that property and earning should be shared. Therefore, this shows that the family serves capitalism. Engels also argued that monogamy arose. This was so that the farther knew who their offspring was, so that they could pass their property down to them....
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...elsewhere, assess the Marxist view that the main role of the family is to serve the interests of capitalism Marxists see all society’s institutions, such as the education system, the media, religion and the state, alone with the family as helping to maintain class inequality and capitalism. Capitalism, also known as Marxism, is a perspective based on the ideas of Karl Marx. It sees society as divided into two opposed classes, capitalist class, who own means of production and the working class, whose labour the capitalists exploit for profit. In a capitalist society, goods and businesses are owned privately for the purpose of profit. For Marxists, the functions of the family are performed purely for the benefit of the capitalist system. This view contrasts sharply with the functionalist view that the family benefits both society as a whole and all the individual members of the family. But however for Marxists, the functions of the family do not meet the needs of society as a whole but meet the needs of capitalism. Marxists have identified several functions that they see in the family fulfilling for capitalism, one of the functions is inheritance of property. Marxists argue that the key factor determining the shape of all social institutions, including the family, is the mode of production. In modern society, it is capitalist class that owns and controls these means of production. As the mode of production evolves, so does the family. Engels view which was promiscuous horde or...
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...There are many different perspectives of the family. Each different view sees different things as the main role of the family. Marxists view the family in a very belittled manner. They believe that the main role of the family is to serve the interests of capitalism and bourgeoisie. They also believe that the family cushions the main provider. Marx’s views on the capitalist mode of production highlights the exploitative nature of the eco system. He displays how the middle class take advantage of the working class and their labour; the working class are a tool used to create profit and to keep profit at a reasonable level. Marx argues that the monogamous middle class nuclear family developed to help them solve the problem of the inheritance of private property. The men needed to know who their children were in order to pass on their property to their heirs. The family was therefore thought to be by Marxists as designed to control women and protect property. The Middle class nuclear family is emerged with capitalism. It is patriarchal as designed to guarantee and encourage male power through the inheritance of property. It therefore serves the interests of capitalism. Marxists would argue that families are a unit of reproduction, they believe that the family is essential in the reproduction of the labour force. In pre capitalist society people only grew staple foods, drank water and lived simple life’s. People choose to have numerous children. More children meant more farm hands...
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...assess the Marxist view that the main role of the family is to serve the interests of capitalism for: Engels argued that Because capitalism is based on accumulation of property and wealth that capitalism reated the nuclear family and monogamy in marriage The reason or this is so the family can serve capitalism the nuclear family provided the answer for the capitalist man to pass down his wealth to his legimate heirs and thus wealth was not shared with the lower classes so the bourgeoisie had workers to work for their business and in their factory’s so they could sell and buy items and goods serving capitalism.the wealth stayed in the bloodline so the family could continue to benefit from capitalism Zaretsky argued that the family helps capitalism as t acts as a net for the man in the house sot he stresses and strains of work do not make him revolt thus keeping capitalism working as they have workers. Commidities are bought by workers and this keeps a demand of products so capitalism can work Althusser argues that working class must submit to ruling class this is done by family Persuading people of natural unchangeable and unfair things in the capitalist system Item 2 b also talk about how institutions indoctrinate people into believing the benefits of capitalist society and the class system and believing hierarchy just like aalthusser Against Parsons believes nuclear family is now here to the meet needs of industry and society 4 functions sexual reproductive educational...
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...The main role of the family IS to serve the interest of Capitalism NOT everyone The main role of the family is NOT to just serve the interest of Capitalism- it serves everyone Pester Power- children will see things on television/ in the media that will indoctrinate them into thinking they want/ need something- be it sweets, a certain kind of trainers, or a haircut. Functionalists believe that the family serves to ‘give back’ to the economy, keeping the money and economy FLOWING, through shared processes, thereby profiting everyone (eventually). Good for individual (taken care of/ food, water, travel, etc.)- good for society (a unit that buys things- sustains economy) Families maintain the Base- providing the means of production through labour. The family socialises the newest members into ones that show respect, which benefits them by giving SOCIAL SOLIDARITY through SOCIAL NORMS AND VALUES (the new members are not drones, but are members of society that continue it onward) =Harmonious Society = Benefits Everyone Families themselves are UNITS OF CONSUMPTION- they will ‘keep up with the Joneses’ and buy the latest fridge, or car, etc. VALUE CONSENSUS + SPECIALISED DIVISION OF LABOUR = SOCIAL ORDER The breadwinner(s) will not see quitting as a way to stop the status quo- they need to provide for their families, and do not want to endanger that position. The individuals are genuinely happy with their lives- The Functions of a family has been reduced to two. Stabilisation...
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...family’s main role is to support and contribute towards capitalism. The economy is known as the infrastructure and other social institutions such as the family are seen as the superstructure. The family delivers norms and values that imply that the power held by the capitalists is normal and shouldn’t be questioned or challenged. This is argued by Althusser which will be further discussed within my essay. Marxists say this socialisation is promoting false class consciousness which is the inability for the working class to realise how they are being exploited. Marxists are generally interested in how the family contributes to the economic system and society and see the traditional nuclear family as the best way to support capitalism. Engels says that by having a monogamous marriage within a nuclear family, wealth can easily be passed on through the generations and show clear lines of inheritance which will help benefit the ruling class as this enables them to keep their property, name and wealth concentrated within their own hands and pass it down to their own legitimate heirs. Others such as the functionalists will criticise Engels view as they believe family benefits everyone not just capitalism and would say that despite being a structural theory too, functionalists would argue that the main and most important role of the family is socialisation and offering support and emotional satisfaction. Althusser contributes to another Marxist idea by saying that the family plays a...
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...relationship of the family to the social structure Family is one of the most important social institutions, found in various different forms all around the world in nearly all known societies. Family consists of a group of people who are related by kinship ties which is another way of saying related by blood, marriage or adoption. There are many different types of family such as nuclear family, classic extended, modified extended, beanpole, patriarchal, matriarchal, symmetrical, reconstituted, lone, parent, single parent and same sex parents. Social structure is part of society. It refers to the social institutions and social relationships and acts like the human body where each part is important on keeping the body alive. Social institutions are the organised social arrangements that each are essential in keeping society going. Such examples of this is family, religion, education, government, prison and business just to name a few. This whole process of social institutions working together are known as the building blocks of society and is seen as crucial for society to continue. Functionalism is a consensus theory approach which believes society is like the human body. It is so complex and each of the parts are interlinked in order to function properly. Functionalists state that the nuclear family is a very important social institution and that without the nuclear family performing certain important functions society wouldn't continue. Nuclear family is two generations...
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...Assess the relationship between sociology and social policy In order to understand the role of sociology in relation to social policy, it is important to firstly distinguish between social problems and sociological problems. According to Peter Worsley, a social problem is some piece of social behaviour that causes public friction and private misery and calls for collective action to solve it. According to Worsley, a sociological problem is “any pattern of relationships that calls for explanation.” In other words, it is any piece of behaviour that we wish to make sense of. However even when sociologists conduct research into social problems, there’s no guarantee that policy makers will study their findings, or that any solutions they propose will find their way into social policies. Many factors may affect whether or not sociological research succeeds in influencing policy. Some of these include electoral popularity, interest groups, globalisation and cost. Different sociological perspectives hold different views of the nature of the state and their social policy it produces. As a result, each perspective tends to take a different view of the role of sociology in relation to social policy. Early positivists such as Comte and Durkheim took the view that sociology was a science and would discover both the cause of social problems and scientifically based solutions to them. As such, their approach was part of the Enlightenment project to use science ad reason to improve society...
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...The Family - Murdock Murdock Functionalist; family is universal institution that performs 4 major functions: * Stable Satisfaction of the Sex Drive - prevents social disruption caused by sexual 'free-for-all'. * Reproduction of Next Generation - means society able to continue. * Socialisation of the Young - spreading society's norms and values. * Meeting Member's Economic Needs - providing food, shelter, etc. Criticisms of Murdock * Marxists - reject consensus view; argue that Murdock neglects dark side of family. Claim meets needs of capitalists, not family. * Feminists - reject consensus, 'rose-tinted' view, argue that Murdock ignores women's oppression and inequality. See family as serving needs of men and exploiting women. The Family - Parsons Parsons Functionalist; family has 2 'basic and irreducible' functions: * Primary Socialisation of Children - happens in early stages of child's life; child learns norms, values, etc of culture they are born into. * Stabilisation of Adult Personalities - family provides place for adults to relax, escape stresses of working life and feel emotionally secure. Criticisms of Parsons * Too deterministic - children are moulded by all-powerful adults. Also ignores possibility of socialisation being 2-way process where by socialisation can be resisted by children. * Zaretsky - family only provides such emotional support so members can spend another day under harsh capitalist oppression. Family is...
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