In this essay I propose to discuss two key sociological perspectives, Marxism and radical and liberal feminism. I will also apply these theories to the family aspect of social life. Marxism is a theory of structural conflict as originally outlined by Karl Marx (1818-1883). Marx defined the society we live in as a capitalist society and divided society into two fundamental classes. The ruling class or bourgeoisie as he called it, which in Marx's time were the wealthy factory owners and landowners, and the working class which he called the proletariat. They were the factory workers. A capitalist society is one in which the means of production are controlled by the ruling class with the aim of making a living by exploiting the labor of the working class. The wages given to workers in exchange for their work are not proportionate to the work they do and the profits made by the ruling class. The working class does not challenge the capitalist society in which it lives because, as Marxists say, the ruling class controls all sources of socialization, from the family to the media. These social institutions tell workers that the way they live and the norms and values ​​they adopt are normal and natural. «The mode of production of material life conditions the general processes of social, political and intellectual life. It is not the consciousness of men that determines their existence, but their social existence that determines their consciousness,” (Marx, quoted in Investigating Culture and Identity, p.56). The working class is brainwashed by of ideology: the ideas and ideas of the ruling class a way of controlling society through the ideas – of the rich and are encouraged to think that if they work as hard as they can for little money they can get… half the paper… useless. In support of feminists there is a saying that says: "Behind every great man, there is a great woman." Although both Marxist and feminist views differ on many things, there are some similarities they don't like the family because it contributes to capitalist society, Marxist feminists also believe the same thing, with the added component of oppression consciousness, and feminists don't like the family because of the oppression of women within the family. Works Cited Abbott, A. & Sapsford, R (1987) Women And Social Class, 1st edition, Great Britain, Biddles Ltd.Mitchell, J (1971) Woman's Estate, 1st edition, Great Britain, C. Nicholls & Company Ltd.Taylor , P. (1997) Investigating Culture And Diversity, 1st edition, Great Britain, Scotprint.Worsley, P. (1970) Introducing Sociology, 1st edition, Great Britain, Hazell Watson &Viney Ltd.