Marxist Functions of the Family

Marxist Functions of the Family
The Marxist perspective of Family is critical and radical, in comparison to the conservative consensual assumptions of the functionalists. To the Marxists the family is not neccessarily a haven of love and protection from the harsh social world, but rather is an instituion of exploitation, that is designed and functions to meet the needs of the capitalist (economic) system.
Major Assumptions:
The family is

An agent of Reproduction - To Friedreich Engels the family emerged from the need to ensure paternity, amongst the bourgeois. Paternity, clarified the fact of whether the child was the biological offspring of the parents involved and thus secured the practice of promogeniture. In the second instance, with the rise of capitalism, Marxists contend that the family is essential to the reproduction of the labour force (proletarians).

     2. An agent of Economic production - Pre-capitalist society, necessitated      subsistence production. This is the production of basic needs eg. food, clothing for the household. Hence individuals choose to have numerous children. More children meant more hands to work on the farm. It also acted as an insurance, against the unpredictable ravages of famine, disease and other natural disasters.
    3. An agent of Female Subjugation - Engels contend the family unit oppresses women ; since women provide unpaid services. Particularly in the area of housework and childcare.
    4. Prop to the Capitalist System - Eli Zaretsky argues that the family unit with all its attendent functions, in totality acts as a support to the capitalist system. The capitalist benefits from the unpaid labour rendered by women and children within the unit. Further the worker is refreshed daily from the rest and comfort he recieves from his/her home (which acts as a refuge from the harsheness of the capitalist world). Thus daily they are renewed and made ready to take on another days' work. Secondly, Zaretsky argues that the family is a major consumer of capitalist products. This fact in itself, ensures a market for capitalist products.