PREPARED BY : ROBERT

MODERN FAMILY SYSTEM

IN INDIA
SYNOPSIS:

INTRODUCTION
 THE SIGNIFICANT TRENDS IN THE MODERN
FAMILY MAY BE DISCUSSED UNDER THE
FOLLOWING POINTS
Decreased Control of the Marriage
Contract
Changes in Relationship of Man
and Woman
Reduced Size of Family
Decline of Religious Control
Filo Centric Family
Parent Youth Conflict
Separation of Non-Essential Functions
 The Causes Of Instability Of Modern Family
 Conclusion
INTRODUCTION:

The family has undergone some radical transformations in the

past half a century. Its structure has been changed, its
functions have been altered and its natures have been affected.
Various factors like social, economic, education, legal,
cultural, scientific technological development etc. are
responsible for this.

The significant trends in the modern family may be

discussed under the following points:
(1) Decreased Control of the Marriage Contract:
Marriage is the basis of family. In traditional family the
marriage was settled by the parents. The marriage ceremony
was based on the principle of male dominance and female
obedience. In modern family people is less subject to the
parental control regarding marital affairs. The marriage is now
settled by the partners themselves. It is the choice of mate by
mate usually preceded by courtship or falling in love.

Today more stress is being laid on romantic love but love is no

more sacramental now. Marriage also has become a civil
contract rather than a religious sacrament. It can be dissolved
easily at any time as it is settled by mutual consent of the
partner. The authority of religion over the conditions of
marriage has markedly declined. Divorce, desertion and
separation are frequent occurrence in modern family where as
it was rare phenomenon in traditional family.

(2) Changes in Relationship of Man and Woman:

In modern family the woman is not the devotee of man but an
equal partner in life with equal rights. The husband does not
dictate but only requests to the wife to do a task for him. She is
now emancipated of the man’s slavery. She can divorce her
husband as the husband can divorce her.

Democratic ideas have provided equality and liberty to even

women too. As a result women are not playing domestic role
but also economic and political roles. They have now become
property owners and business managers. They have right to
vote and can actively participate in politics.

They are now liberated from the chains of traditionalism and

they are now able enough to move from kitchen to cabinet.
They stand on an equal footing with men. Aggressive leaders
of the women’s liberation movement have attacked the
standard of morality. They are demanding more rights and
liberty in the family, society as well as in the country.

Due to the employment opportunity the women has become an

earning member of the family, free to work in offices,
factories, banks and schools etc. This economic independence
has increased her status but has affected her attitude in the
family as well as in society.

(3) Reduced Size of Family:

Due to industrialization and urbanisation the family size has
been reduced and parents no longer desire more children rather
develop a tendency to have a smaller family with the help of
modern contraceptives. So the reproductive function of
modern family has suffered a setback. However the very
survival of the human race is based on reproduction.

(4) Decline of Religious Control:

The modern family is secular in attitude. The religious rites of
the traditional family such as early prayer, yogya etc. are no
longer performed in modern family. The elders do not read
spiritual books such as Ramayana, Bhagabata rather they
watch T.V. They are not interested to celebrate any religious
festivals. Religious sentiments, beliefs and attitudes have come
to be disassociated with the family.

(5) Filo Centric Family:

In the modern family the trend is towards the filo centric

family, where the wishes of children determine the policy of
the family. The social control activities of family over children
have been lessened as physical punishment is rarely awarded
to children.

(6) Parent Youth Conflict:

Inter-personal conflicts in the family are increasing. An
unusual amount of conflict between parents and their
adolescent children are taking place. Kingsley Davis says,
“The stress and strain in our culture is symptomatic of the
functionless instability of the modern small family.”
(7) Separation of Non-Essential Functions:
The modern family has given up many functions which were
performed by the traditional family. Educational, procreation
and care of sick persons functions have been shifted to certain
external agencies like hospitals, maternity homes, nurseries
kindergarten and schools etc. Apart from it the family is no
longer an economic unit. More families rely upon prepared
and manufactured goods for consumption.

Movies, clubs, gambling centres provide recreation to people.

People leave home for commercialized recreation centre,
which has affected the cohesion of family. Protective functions
of family have also declined. Families are no more the place of
protection for the physically handicapped, mentally retarded,
aged, diseased, infirm and insane people. Other agencies have
taken over this function. But for the young children it
continues to provide physical and emotional protection.

Thus the family has been subjected to profound modifications

of an economic, social and biological nature. The size and
functions of the family have been reduced. It has suffered a
change in regard to both its structure and functions. Its
functions have been taken over by several specialized
agencies.

THE CAUSES OF INSTABILITY OF MODERN

FAMILY:

The striking problem that confronts the modern family is

its instability. The traditional family was a stable type of
family whose dissolution was rarely thought of and was
not very easy. It faced the world as a unit. Women
outside the family had no refuge. The profession of the
family was fixed which was continued by succeeding
generations. Social mobility was slight.

But today it is all changed. The control of the family over

its members has decreased. The younger generation does
not like any interference by their elders. There is lack of
unity among the family members. Faith in one another is
decreasing. There are separate ‘Chulhas’ within one
house.
The problems of working women have hindered the
development of the children and increased conflicts
between husband and wife. There is lack of mutual trust.
The marriage bonds have weakened. The ancient ideal of
fidelity in sex-relationship has been adversely affected.
Pre-marital and extra-marital relationships have
increased.

There is sexual disharmony between husband and wife.

There is no longer any family craft or profession. The
members of the same family ire engaged in different
pursuits, one in service the other in business a third in
politics. The increase of specialized agencies has greatly
diminished common participation which was the
backbone of traditional family. Members of the modern
family take more interest outside the family.

They take meals in hotels and pass their nights in clubs

and return home for a very short period. To women
marriage is not the only career open. They work in
factories and offices and earn an independent living. The
modern family has shrunk both structurally and
functionally and is gradually losing its primary character.

The state has undertaken to provide pre-natal attention

and infant schools; expensive medical facilities are
available; the factory and office provide the place of work
and women clubs and bars provide for recreation. If
people find their education, their work and their
recreation outside the family and if women can get jobs
which make them independent, surely the charge of a
broken home can be laid at the door of modern family.

Never were so many marriages being legally dissolved by

divorce as now: never were there so many discretions.
The United States hold the undeniable position in the
number of divorce granted. The divorce rate in that
country is reported more than one divorce for every five
marriages. In India, though the divorce rate is not so
alarming, yet the influence of individualism and the
impact of western culture have adversely affected the
stability of Indian family system.
It may also be noted that the divorce rates, provide only a
very indirect measure of family instability because they
do not include cases of broken families which have not
secured divorce for one reason or the other. If we take
into account also the domestic discords, discretion and
separation without followed by divorce it will be revealed
that family instability is on the increase

CONCLUSION:

The modern family is more individualized and democratic

where women enjoy a high prestige and position and children
enjoy more independence as well. From an institution it has
moved towards companionship. Many sociologists have
expressed their grave concern regarding the rapid changes that
are taking place in it. Some have said that “Family has gone to
the digs.” While some others lamented that family is leading
towards disorganization. But it would be more appropriate to
say that it is merely seeking to adopt itself to changed
conditions.