4. What are the changing dimensions of family structure in contemporary India?
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ABSTRACT:
The family as a social institution has been undergoing change. Both in its structure and functions changes have taken place. In India, as in many traditional societies, the family has been not only the center of social and economic life, but also the primary source of support for the family members. The increasing commercialization of the economy and the development of the infrastructure of the modern state have introduced significant change in the family structure in India in the 20th century. Specially, the last few decades have witnessed important alterations in family life. India's fertility rate has fallen, and couples have begun to bear children at a later age. At the same time, life expectancy has increased, resulting in more elderly people who need care. All of these changes are taking place in the context of increased urbanization, which is separating children from elders and contributing disintegration of family-based support systems. This paper critically examines the impact of various contributing factors on Indian family structure.
KEYWORDS: Family size, fertility, mortality, migration.
INTRODUCTION:
The importance of family structure in India had been recognized since Vedic age. The concept of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (The earth is one family) was given to the world by India. Indian people learn the essential themes of cultural life within the bosom of a family. However, the last two decades have drastically changed Indian social scenario. A sudden shift from joint to nuclear to single parent or childless families is apparent. In such a situation dealing with financial, social and moral obligations is becoming more and harder for the earning member of family. Be it time, location or desired attention, the earning members find themselves trapped in middle of conflicting responsibilities. And, even if they chose one of them, the other side always hankers for attention. Where to compromise becomes the decision point and family appears as the easier solution. But, this decision makes the compromised party the detached or distressed one. The problem aggravates when the family members have to reposition to distant lands. Manageable problems such as, time, money and attention has shifted to serious problems of security and health issues. In the recent past, the effect globalization have further intensified the change of social and family structures in the world and India is not an exception. India's fertility rate has fallen, and couples have begun to bear children at a later age. At the same time, life expectancy has increased, resulting in more elderly people who need care. All of these changes are taking place in the context of increased urbanization, which is separating children from elders and contributing disintegration of family-based support systems (Srivastava and Sasikumar 2003).This paper critically examine the impact of various contributing factors on Indian family structure.
Change in Fertility:
The reduction in average annual rate of population growth primarily occurred due to reductions in fertility levels. An inevitable outcome of declining fertility rates and increasing age at first birth in most of the countries in the world, including India, is a reduction in family size. Fertility declined due to the combined effect of substantial socio-economic development achieved during the last two decades and the effective implementation of family planning programmes. Hence, it has become irrational for many people to have large families as the cost of children is increasing. A main, emerging feature of modern family is the changing attitude towards the value of children. In traditional societies, where human labour was a source of strength to the family, more children were preferred to fewer. But as the economic contribution from the children in a family decreased, because of a move away from agriculture, the need for large numbers of children decreased. Improvements in health care and chi
The family as a social institution has been undergoing change. Both in its structure and functions changes have taken place. In India, as in many traditional societies, the family has been not only the center of social and economic life, but also the primary source of support for the family members. The increasing commercialization of the economy and the development of the infrastructure of the modern state have introduced significant change in the family structure in India in the 20th century. Specially, the last few decades have witnessed important alterations in family life. India's fertility rate has fallen, and couples have begun to bear children at a later age. At the same time, life expectancy has increased, resulting in more elderly people who need care. All of these changes are taking place in the context of increased urbanization, which is separating children from elders and contributing disintegration of family-based support systems. This paper critically examines the impact of various contributing factors on Indian family structure.
KEYWORDS: Family size, fertility, mortality, migration.
INTRODUCTION:
The importance of family structure in India had been recognized since Vedic age. The concept of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (The earth is one family) was given to the world by India. Indian people learn the essential themes of cultural life within the bosom of a family. However, the last two decades have drastically changed Indian social scenario. A sudden shift from joint to nuclear to single parent or childless families is apparent. In such a situation dealing with financial, social and moral obligations is becoming more and harder for the earning member of family. Be it time, location or desired attention, the earning members find themselves trapped in middle of conflicting responsibilities. And, even if they chose one of them, the other side always hankers for attention. Where to compromise becomes the decision point and family appears as the easier solution. But, this decision makes the compromised party the detached or distressed one. The problem aggravates when the family members have to reposition to distant lands. Manageable problems such as, time, money and attention has shifted to serious problems of security and health issues. In the recent past, the effect globalization have further intensified the change of social and family structures in the world and India is not an exception. India's fertility rate has fallen, and couples have begun to bear children at a later age. At the same time, life expectancy has increased, resulting in more elderly people who need care. All of these changes are taking place in the context of increased urbanization, which is separating children from elders and contributing disintegration of family-based support systems (Srivastava and Sasikumar 2003).This paper critically examine the impact of various contributing factors on Indian family structure.
Change in Fertility:
The reduction in average annual rate of population growth primarily occurred due to reductions in fertility levels. An inevitable outcome of declining fertility rates and increasing age at first birth in most of the countries in the world, including India, is a reduction in family size. Fertility declined due to the combined effect of substantial socio-economic development achieved during the last two decades and the effective implementation of family planning programmes. Hence, it has become irrational for many people to have large families as the cost of children is increasing. A main, emerging feature of modern family is the changing attitude towards the value of children. In traditional societies, where human labour was a source of strength to the family, more children were preferred to fewer. But as the economic contribution from the children in a family decreased, because of a move away from agriculture, the need for large numbers of children decreased. Improvements in health care and chi
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