Page 160 - DSOC402_SOCIOLOGY_OF_KINSHIP_ENGLISH

Sociology of Kinship Sukanya Das, Lovely Professional University

Notes Unit 22: Development Cycle of Family in India

CONTENTS
Objectives

Introduction
22.1 Origin of Family
22.2 Family: As a process
22.3 Western and Indian Family

22.4 Forms of Family
22.5 Changing Forms of Joint Family
22.6 Summary
22.7 Keywords

22.8 Review Questions
22.9 Further Readings

Objectives
After studying this unit, students will be able to:
• Understand the origin of a family in India.
• Understand development cycle of a family in India.
• Understand the changing forms of joint family in India.

Introduction
‘The change’ is a universal fact. Neither society nor any part of it, can save itself from its effects.
Many a changes took place in Europe at the end of 18 century; so is in India, in 19 century
th
th
many changes took place in Indian family system due to increase in industrilisation and urbani-
sation. The family was a production unit before industrialisation. After industrialisation work
started in the workshops. Everyone whether men, wives and children would go to work in it. It
increased indivisualism and freedom of family members, which loosen father’s control on the
family and gave space for negligence for children. Industrialisation gave economic freedom to
women. They freed from economic dependency imposed by men. Now, female started com-
ing out from house for work which effect the domestic administration. The demandrises for
“women libralisation” or equality. The states and its extended working system grabbed many
functions which were used to be done by a family earlier. The people started living in village
due to urbanisation. In cities, nuclear families are maximum, where family members have more
freedom and rights. Modern medical and medicine science helped a lot, which cut down the
size of a family by helping various family welfare programmes. Western culture, Individualism,
means of transport, many associations and organisations affected the structure and functioning
of a family and brought various changes in it.

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