On Marx-Engels' Family Theory

Although there is abundant related research on Marx's and Engels' theories, most of the studies are done in the field of philosophy, politics, economy, culture and society. A few people systematically summarized their family theory. Most scholars did their research from the perspective of an independent social form or one-sided view instead of putting it into the river of human history. In fact, if we combine the works of the two great thinkers, we may find that their family theory is subject to the whole theoretical framework. Considering the ultimate goal of family development, they held that family exists to realize the liberation and freedom of the whole human society, however, family serves different functions in different social forms.In view of this, I summarize Marx's and Engels'family theory on the basis of sorting and reading their original works. In the first part, this research deals with Marx's and Engels'family theory from the static perspective of family functions, which can be generalized as, the economic function, the political function, the emotional function and reproductive function. In the second part, this research takes an approach to their family theory from a dynamic perspective, that is, the development of family. Based on the driving force of family development, this part analyzes the driving force and main functions of family under three social forms. I summarize Marx's and Engels'family theory in the first two chapters with a view to a more systematic and more comprehensive understanding of it. In the third part, this paper concludes with two characteristics of modern family development, in other words, the economic function is still the main function of family, freedom and liberation of humanity has become the new goal of contemporary family development. Research finding shows that Marx's and Engels'family theory can still be used to interpret and predict the modern family development. Years can not obscure the life of their masterpiece. However, theories are often generated from the dialogue with practice. Therefore, in the third part of my paper, I not only use Marx's and Engels'family theory to interpret and predict family development but also use the practice of modern family to provide a supplement to their family theory.