Page 149 - DSOC402_SOCIOLOGY_OF_KINSHIP_ENGLISH

Unit 20: Family: Family and Household, Definition of Family, Nature of Family

5. His _________ is found on family property. Notes
6. With every individuals name, the _________ of his father’s name is added.

20.4 Summary

• According to Maceywore and Page, “Family is defined as a group of adequate and certain
sexual relations which arranges the birth of children and nurtures them.”
• The aim of the family is to provide habitat, financial support, sexual satisfaction, sociability
and education, etc., to its members.
• The Muslim families are of Paternal lineage. They are male dominated and have the joint
family custom.
• Islam accepts Polygamy. A man is allowed to have four wives.
• In Christians too, Paternal lineage families are found. In Christian families, the family rela-
tions are based on equality.

20.5 Keywords
1. Individualistic Family: A family in which both the husband and the wife has the right to
take decisions, independently and in equal number. It is a form of a modern family.
2. Christian Family: They have Paternal lineage. After marriage, the bride lives with her hus-
band’s family.

20.6 Review Questions

1. Discuss the meaning of a family and its characteristics?
2. What are the characteristics of a Muslim family?
3. What is the aim and characteristics of a Christian family?

Answers: Self Assessment
1. Support 2. Institution 3. things
4. Pati-Local 5. Central 6. Prefix

20.7 Further Readings

Marriage and Family in India—K.N. Kapadia
Sociology—T.V. Botomore
Sixteen Rituals (Sanskars)—Swami Avdheshan, Manoj Publication
Families in India, Marriage and Kinship—Shobhita Jain, Rawat Publications

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