Outline and Explain Questions (10 marks)
- Outline and explain two ways Marxist sociologists view the family as a site of class conflict. (10 marks)
- Outline and explain two ways the family, according to Marxist sociologists, contributes to the perpetuation of capitalist ideologies. (10 marks)
- Outline and explain two aspects of the Marxist perspective on the family’s role in the inheritance of property and wealth. (10 marks)
- Outline and explain two ways Marxist sociologists believe the family socialises children into accepting capitalist norms and values. (10 marks)
- Outline and explain two ways in which Marxist sociologists argue the family serves the interests of capitalism. (10 marks)
Analyse Questions (Using the item and your own knowledge, analyse…) (10 marks)
Item
Marxist sociologists argue that the family helps to maintain and reproduce the capitalist system through unpaid domestic labour and emotional support for workers. They claim that women’s unpaid labour in the home is essential for the daily reproduction of labour power and that emotional support within the family mitigates the alienation and exploitation experienced by workers under capitalism.
Using the item and your own knowledge, analyse how the family contributes to the maintenance and reproduction of capitalism according to Marxist sociologists. (10 marks)
Item
According to Marxist sociologists, the family plays a role in perpetuating social inequality and maintaining the dominance of the ruling class. They argue that the family passes down wealth and property through generations and socialises children into accepting their social position and the inequalities of the capitalist system.
Using the item and your own knowledge, analyse the role of the family in perpetuating social inequality according to Marxist sociologists. (10 marks)
Item
Marxist sociologists contend that the nuclear family emerged alongside capitalism to serve the needs of the capitalist economy. They believe that the nuclear family is the most efficient arrangement for reproducing labour power, isolating women in the private sphere and men in the public sphere.
Using the item and your own knowledge, analyse how the nuclear family serves the needs of the capitalist economy from a Marxist perspective. (10 marks)
Item
Feminist Marxist sociologists argue that the family perpetuates both capitalist exploitation and gender inequality. They claim that women’s unpaid domestic labour supports the capitalist system and reinforces patriarchal structures, keeping women economically dependent on men.
Using the item and your own knowledge, analyse the intersection of capitalist exploitation and gender inequality in the family according to feminist Marxist sociologists. (10 marks)
Item
Marxist sociologists claim that the family acts as a ‘cushion’ against the alienation experienced by workers in a capitalist society. They argue that the family provides emotional support and a sense of identity and belonging, which helps mitigate the effects of alienation and exploitation at work.
Using the item and your own knowledge, analyse the concept of the family as a ‘cushion’ against worker alienation in capitalist society according to Marxist sociologists. (10 marks)
Evaluation Questions (Using the item and your own knowledge, evaluate…) (10 marks)
Item
Marxist sociologists argue that family structures and roles are shaped by the needs of the capitalist economy, while others believe they are influenced by cultural factors. Marxists claim that the nuclear family emerged to meet the demands of capitalist production, while critics argue that family structures and roles are also shaped by cultural, historical, and social factors.
Using the item and your own knowledge, evaluate the Marxist view that family structures and roles are primarily shaped by the needs of the capitalist economy. (20 marks)
Item
Some sociologists claim that the family provides emotional stability and support, whereas Marxist sociologists argue it primarily serves the interests of capitalism. Proponents of emotional support suggest that the family is a source of love and security, while Marxists argue that the family’s primary function is to reproduce labour power and maintain social order.
Using the item and your own knowledge, evaluate the Marxist view of the family as a tool for perpetuating capitalism. (20 marks)
Item
Marxist sociologists assert that the family reinforces social inequality and capitalist norms, while others believe it can be a site of resistance and change. Marxists argue that the family socialises children into accepting capitalist norms and values, while critics suggest that the family can also promote social stability and solidarity.
Using the item and your own knowledge, evaluate the Marxist perspective on the family as a force for maintaining social inequality. (20 marks)
Item
According to Marxist sociologists, the family socialises children into accepting capitalist values, but other sociologists argue it can also promote stability and social awareness. Marxists claim that the family reproduces capitalist ideology, while others argue that it can nurture a sense of social justice and activism.
Using the item and your own knowledge, evaluate the Marxist view of the family as an agent of capitalist socialisation. (20 marks)
Item
Marxist sociologists believe that the family serves the interests of the ruling class, while others argue that it plays a vital role in the well-being of its members. Marxists claim that the family perpetuates social inequality and capitalist norms, while others suggest that it provides emotional support, care, and a sense of belonging.
Using the item and your own knowledge, evaluate the Marxist view of the family serving the ruling class. (20 marks)