Page 148 - DSOC402_SOCIOLOGY_OF_KINSHIP_ENGLISH

Sociology of Kinship

Notes 2. Lack of Common Income: With most of the Christian families being nuclear, the question
of common income does not arise. Though the siblings live with their parents, they are en-
gaged in separate business. Thus, their earnings are individually theirs, which they spend
on their wives and children, according to their wishes. In order to run the family, each of
them contribute by giving a regular part of his earnings to his father. They have individual
rights over their earnings because of which, they rarely have any immovable property.
3. Lack of Common Property: Because of nuclear families, there is a general lack of common
property. Where a number of sibling stay along with the parents, they demand fast division
of property after their parents demise. All the siblings have equal rights on their parents
property.
4. Small Size of Family: Christian families are usually small in size. After marriage, the cou-
ples sets up a new house.
5. Individualistic Base: Christian families are based on Individualism. The individuals see
their own priorities instead of thinking about the interests of their families. They are so
obsessed with their individualistic views that they do not given any preference to their
families. Because of such an individualist attitude, they lack possession of common income
or common property.
6. Based on the Ideology of Equality: The family relations in a Christian family ‘head’ is a
male, but does not act as a dictator. Women and children are also given importance in
matters related to the family. They have a tendency of understanding each-other and they
possess a friendly view.
7. Position of women: In the christian families, men and women have an equal position.
Women are allowed to take part in economic political, social and financial activities and
they are doing so. Girls are given similar opportunities as boys regarding education and
personality development.

Aims of Christian Family

M.P. John has citied four aims of a Christian Family:
1. Giving Birth: In every society, giving birth is important. The continuity of the family and
society depends on it only.
2. Safety From Immorality: Generally, every living being wants the fulfillment of his sexual
desires. Immorality will spread in the society, if people are permitted to fulfill their sexual
desires outside the sphere of marriage and family.
3. Mutual Support: The family gives an opportunity to its members to offer mu-
tual support to each-other. It helps to develop love and generous attitude towards
each-other.
4. Increased Comforts: The main aim of family is to take care of the comforts of its family,
increase them and give an opportunity to each one of them lead a comfortable life.
In a nutshell, a Christian family symbolises the ideologies of the society. It fulfills the various
needs of a family and regularizes sexual relations. It provides continuity to the family and soci-
ety by giving birth and nurturing the children.

Self Assessment

Fill in the blanks:
4. _________ system is found in them, i.e., the bride lives in her husbands family after mar-
riage.

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