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Assess the View That the Family Is Part of the Ideological State Apparatus.

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The ideological state apparatus is defined as a social institution that can control our ideology. Marxists would argue that the family is an institution used to teach its members to submit to the authority of the ruling classes. However functionalist view the family unit as a construct that fulfills important functions and keep society running smoothly.
Marxists believe that primary socialisation of children is learning the norms and values provided through the process of socialisation, this is initiated by the family. We are socialised into a traditional gender, working role. This usually happens during childhood when a child learns the attitudes, values and actions from another member of the family. If a child saw their mother or father doing something they would think that it's right and know to act like that. This would benefit the Bourgeoisie who own the means of the production and create a false class conscious on the proletariat through ruling class ideology. Zaretsky (1976) argued that the ruling class view norms and values as obedience. However, Functionalists argue that it is a positive process and that we are taught the norms and values to enable us to adjust to our society. The norms and values we learn are our own and not society's.
Secondary socialisation of children is learning through school, friends and media which helps them learn what is the appropriate way to act in society. The media teaches young girls that they need to be thin and boys need to be touch like they are in films and video games. This shows that the media has a massive effect on the way children socialise and act within society. Also, school teaches you to obey other people and prepare you for the future and jobs. Marxists believe that the working class work for the Bourgeoisie. On the other hand, Funcionalists believe that education plays a vital role in teaching the norms and

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