Page 174 - DSOC402_SOCIOLOGY_OF_KINSHIP_ENGLISH

Sociology of Kinship

Notes 6. Large Size: A joint family consists of many small families, and members of three genera-
tions or more live together. There its size is bigger than that of a nuclear family. Sometimes
a joint family may have 50-60 members. A large size joint family will be commonly seen
in a village as compared to a city. Grandfather, father, sons their wives, unmarried girls,
widows and deserted sisters and daughters, all live together in such a family.
7. Rights and Obligations: According to Desai, “Members of a joint family remain attached
with one-another for duties and responsibilities. In such a family, young members perform
their duties towards elders and elder members use their authority. They serve one-another
in care of accident sickness and old age. They provide monetary cooperation to one-another
in case of birth, death or marriage. If one of the brothers live in a city for the purpose of
jobs, he also keeps the children of this brother for education and training. In this way, the
members of a family perform their duties and responsibilities.
8. Common Social Functions: According to Kapadia, “Normal social functions are consid-
ered very important in a joint family. It means family is considered as a person for al the
social functions and only one person participates as a representative of the family. Who,
most of the time, is head of the family, whether it is meeting of panchayat or participating
in a marriage, celebration or funeral feast.
9. Head of the Family: The head of a joint family is ‘karta’. He is the eldest male member of
the family in Hindus. He is the person who decides about marriage, celebrations, matter
of properties and wealth and all other important matters of the household along with the
external matters orders and he maintains the discipline and unity in the family. He remains
authoritative but he deals with love, affection and equality with all because these are all the
base of integrity of the family.
10. Co-operative System: A joint family depends on the mutual co-operation as the family
divides in the absence of mutual co-operation. Every member is expected to work his or her
capabicities and fulfils his/her requirement from the family. The principle of “one for all
and all for one” applies in a joint family therefore it is known as a socialistic organisation.
11. A Definite Hierarchy: Members in a joint family have different ranks and authorities. There
is a definite hierarchy found in the ranks. On top of it, is ‘Karta’ then wife of karta and often
that comes brothers of karta, elder son of Karta, younger sons and daughters of karta, wives
etc. respectively. Widow women have the lowest place in the family.
12. Comparative Permanency: A joint family is more stable, compared to other families as it
consists a large number of members. Its permanency remain intect even after separation or
death of a few members. Member of a family maintains its stability by performing their
duties. Monetary co-operation is also a reason of permanancy in such a family. At the same
time they transfered from one generation to another. Therefore a joint family is more stable
and permanent as compared to other families.

23.3 Types of Joint Family
Many forms of joint family exist in India. Joint families, from point of view of authority, lineage,
place, generation or, right in property, etc., found in India are as under—

I. On the Basis of Authority, Lineage and Place
1. Patriarchal, Patrilinear and Patrilocal Family: Father is the center point in this type of
joint family, i.e., the place of father is prominent in this type of family and the lineage of the
family is based on his name. In this types of families, wives come to their husband’s house
and live there, and male members of three or more generations live together. This type of
family is transfered from father to their sons. This type of joint family is seen in most of the
Hindu families in India.

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