1. Name:
Marxist views of the family
Unit 1: Families and Households
SRO 2011

2. 1) Draw an image which you think best sums up capitalism:
Marxists identify three functions that they see the family fulfilling for capitalism:
• Inheritance of property
• Ideological functions
• A unit of consumption
2) According to Engels, monogamy became essential because of the inheritance of
private property. Do you think that this is the only reason for monogamy? Explain
your view:
3) In what ways can it be argued that the family socialise children into the idea that
hierarchy and inequality are inevitable.

3. 4) Do you agree that the rise of the monogamous nuclear family has turned women
into ‘a mere instrument for the production of children’? Explain your answer:
5) There are several criticisms of the Marxist perspective, complete the table below
explaining why Feminists and Functionalists criticise Marxism:
Feminists criticise Marxism
because...
Functionalists criticise Marxism
because...
6) Which of the following statements about the family would Marxists likely believe to
be true and which would they believe to be false?
True False
It fulfils the needs of its individual members
It provides consumers to buy goods
It is important in socialising children
It allows women to have equal roles to men
It provides a ‘haven’ from the harsh world of capitalism