Marxists argue about the nuclear family: it is what in relation to function?

• A. Functionally necessary for social stability.
• B. Not functionally necessary and part of capitalist reproduction.
• C. The primary engine of social reform.
• D. Unrelated to capitalist relations.

Answer: (B)

From a Marxist perspective, the nuclear family is not a neutral or universally necessary social unit; it functions to support capitalism. It helps reproduce the labor force for the capitalist system (via unpaid domestic work and socialization of children into accepting hierarchical property relations) and it helps transmit the ideology that smooths the operation of the market and private property. Because of this, the family is seen as shaped by capitalist relations of production rather than existing independently for social stability. So the idea that it is not functionally necessary and is part of capitalist reproduction best captures the Marxist argument. The other views treat the family as universally necessary for stability, the main driver of reform, or unrelated to capitalism, which doesn’t fit the Marxist analysis.