Microlisting :
1. Family : The Concept
2. Definition and universality
3. Approaches to study Family
a) Functionalist perspective
b) Phenomenological approach
c) Marxian approach
4. Functions of Family
5. Dysfunctions of Family
6. Types of families based on ,
a) Structure
● Nuclear Family
● Extended Family
● Joint Family
● Sub nuclear Family
● Stem Family
● Composite Family
b) Residence
● patrilocal
● Matrilocal
● Neolocal
● Auncolocal
c) Authority
● Patriarchal
● Matriarchal
● Avuncopotestal
● Egalitarian
d) Marriage
● Monogamous
● Polygynous
● Polyandrous
● Polygynandrous
e) Descent
● patrilineal
● Matrilineal
● Matrifocal
●
● Bulineal
● Parallel
f ) Nature of blood relations:
● Conjugal
● Consanguineous
1
7. Effects of Industrialization, urbanization and modernisation on Indian Family .
8. Impact of Feminist Movements on Family .
[Link] of Education on Family.
10 . Changing trends in the Family
11.
12. Household and Domestic group
Pyqs :
Q1. Write a note in 150 words on : Is Family a Social Institution ? [ 2012]
Q2 . Discuss the impact of urbanization and Feminist movement on Family [ 250W , 2013
]
Q3. Define Family and critically examine the universality of Family .[ 2015]
Q4. Discuss the Impact of Urbanization and Feminist movements on Family in India ? [
2016]
Q5. Explain the impact of Feminist Movements on Universality of Marriage and Family
Structure. [ 2020]
Q6. Household and Domestic groups [ 2022]
FAMILY
The Concept
William [Link] describes ,
● Family is a social unit founded on matrimony and marriage contracts,
● which include the acknowledgement of parental responsibilities,
● a shared house for the couple's children, and
● reciprocal financial obligations.
However, all the above features of the definition may not be found together in every human
society.
There was a divided opinion of different Scholars on the definition of Family
DEFINITION AND UNIVERSALITY
1. George Peter Murdock ( 1949) in Social structure defined ,
"The Family is a social group characterized by Common residence, economic cooperation and
reproduction . It includes adults of both the sexes , at least two of whom maintains a socially
approved sexual relationships and one or more children, own or adopted of the sexually
cohabitating adults "
2
Case study :
G.P Murdock based his study on a sample
of 250 societies ranging from hunting and
gathering bands to large-scale industrial
societies concluded that all 250 societies
do have nuclear families , hence
concluding Nuclear Family is universal .
G.P Murdock defines Nuclear Family as ,
● The basic or smallest Family unit
● It existed as a distinct and strongly functional group in every society.
● It consists of a husband and a wife and their offspring.
● It universally performs four functions fundamental to human social life -
a) Sexual gratification
b) Reproduction
c) Economic functions and
d) Enculturation of Children
Murdock held the view that it was the nuclear family that formed the base and is the real
universal entity. He said , “The nuclear family
is a universal human social grouping. Either as the sole prevailing form of the family or
as the basic unit from which more complex forms are compounded, it exists as a distinct
and strongly functional group in every known society" .
Alternative views
1. On structure of Family :
● William Stephens identified 'common residence ' a flaw in the definition
● Example , Ashanti tribe of Ghana - duo local residence is observed - Husband
and wife stay separately and Children eat with their Father but stay with the
mother .
● Kathleen Gough studied the Nayar Family where married women and children
live in a matrilineally extended family 'Tharavad ' . Husband is only a visiting
member .
● Kibbutz of Israel:
M.E Sapier studied the Kibbutz of Israel which is a collective community
performing socialization of children and economic functions .
2. On Function of Family :
● Sexual and Reproductive functions : deviation of man and woman relation
● Example Neur women - women marriages , Ghost marriage of British Columbia.
● Economic functions: like in the kibbutz of Israel, welfare is provided by the
government.
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2. Kathleen Gough has given following examples challenging the universality of Family ,
both structurally and Functionally ;
1. Sexual gratification and procreation :
a) Man- Man marriage among Azande tribes .
b) Ghost marriages of Neurs
c) Nayar polyandry.
2. Economic functions:
a) Welfare measures by states have subsumed this function of family unit
b) Example : kibbutz of Israel .
3. Enculturation:
a) In extended families , this function is done by grandparents not parents.
b) Westernization has increased the rate of divorce leading to single parent households .
Conclusion :
Family although a universal institution, yet it takes different forms in different societies.
According to Kathleen Gough only the mother-child unit is universal with Enculturation as its
main function.
Approaches / perspectives to study
Family :
1. Functionalist perspective:
A) [Link] in his book ' Sociology themes and perspectives' makes a review of the
definition of Family .
● He studied family based on three important functions viz,
a) Functions of the family to the society.
b) Functions of the society to the family
c) Function of the Family to its members .
● He regarded Family as the central Focus of the society.
B) Edmund Leach , another Functionalist : says that ,
● More the industrialization of a community, greater is the isolation of Family.
● Example , Metro cities like Delhi and Mumbai .
Criticism:
4
1. Ezra F .Vogel and Norman W. Bell argued that Functionalists have a limited approach
to the study of family.
2. They focus more on the positive aspects and ignore negative aspects.
2. Phenomenological Approach:
A) R.B Laing :
● critic of Functionalists
● Liang views the Family as a ''set of interactions'' where individuals form
alliances , adopt various strategies and play either in favour or against one
another.
B) David Cooper:
● Representative of Phenomenological approach.
● Family is responsible for generating ideology of Exploitation and discrimination
● Example Feudalism in Europe .
C) Marxian approach:
● Studies Family with an Evolutionary perspective
● Amalgamation of Evolutionary approach with Marxian theory
● It says that " with change in the modes of production,the type of Family also
changes "
● Example ,Primitive communism ( where means of production was communally
owned ) - no concept of Family was there . They were living as promiscuous
hordes . Capitalist society - profit oriented , socialist society- welfare oriented .
● The view was supported by Kathleen Gough .
Functions of Family :
Family is a social institution, which performs various functions important for the existence of
society [ G.P Murdock]
1. Sexual relations:
● fulfills Legitimate sexual functions
● Socially approved basis for Family .
● Exception : Banaro tribe of New Guinea - Groom is not permitted to approach
his wife until she bears him a child by a special relative of his father .
2. Procreation:
● Production of progeny
● Society recognizes only children born and brought up in legitimate units .Family
confers a status and right of succession to Children in the Family unit. - [
Malinowski ]
5
● Exception- socially recognized male union of Azande .
3. Economic Functions:
● Family is a Traditional unit of production and Consumption .
● It Looks after the needs of dependent members like Education , Health , etc
● Contribute for marriage payments ( Dowry and bride price )
● Common property and transmission of property from one generation to another .
● Exception, Israeli Kibbutz where no economic cooperation is found . Economic
cooperation is socially regulated .
4. Educational and sociocultural functions:
● Enculturation Of younger generation
● Socialization - Family tames individuals to Meet the requirements of the society.
● Example Language acquisition.
● Social Control - A source of reward and Punishment.
● Transmission of culture -maintenance of cultural continuity Example , A child
born in Jewish Family will be brought up with Hebrew customs. Expectations:
Youth dormitories, Bush schools of west Africa .
5. Psychological Functions :
● Talcott Parsons - Family produces Socialized personalities .
● Family provides a sense of emotional security to its members.
6. Emotional base and Security
7. Religious Functions :
● Family provides religious identity to its members .
● It is a medium of propagation of rituals .
● Family provides ascribed status to the individuals
8. Entertainment Functions :
● leisure and relaxation to its members .
9. Fulfillment of Basic needs :
● This includes food , shelter , clothing , health and education.
● The Hindu marriage makes it obligatory for the husband to provide comforts to
his wife .
10. Other Functions include :
● Common Hearth
● Common residence
● Mutual rights and obligations
● Common deity or worship
● Strong affinial ( bonds by marriage) and consanguineal bond ( bond by
blood )
Dysfunctions of Family :
1. Ezra [Link] and Norman W. Bell :
● The child is emotionally disturbed by the tense relations of his parents .
● He is thus used as an emotional scapegoat by parents to relieve their tension .
2. Edmund Leach :
6
● Pointed out that there is a " we " centered feeling among the members of a family.
● It teaches the dichotomy of " we " and "they".
3. Margaret Barston :
● considered Family as an exploitative unit as it doesn't pay women for domestic
labour
4. Marxist :
● Family operates as an ideological conditioning device in an exploitative society.
Types Of Families :
1. Based on structure
a) Nuclear Family :
● Talcott Parsons calls the Nuclear Family as an 'Isolated Family '
● It does not Form an integral part of a wider system of Kinship relationships.
● More the Isolation from the wider kin group , more is the strength of bond
between husband and wife .
● Parsons argues that there exists a Functional relationship between the isolated
nuclear Family and the economic system in the industrial society.
● Parsons also observes that such isolation is more in the industrial societies.
● However in India the nuclear Families are hardly isolated from the kin group even
in big metropolitan cities .
● In such cities the nuclear Families are by one way or the other by means of
various occasions and festivals an integral part of wider kindred.
7
● The isolated nuclear Family is shaped to meet the requirements of the economic
system .
● Social Anthropologists have always observed that tribal societies are
predominantly Nuclear Families only.
Current Scenario :
● Due to increased penetration of urbanisation, industrialization and movements like
Feminism the Nuclear Families are becoming more prominent in Indian society .
However , Indian Culture always binds them with their extended Families or kingroups .
(b) Extended Family :
● It Is an extension to a nuclear Family .
● Serena Nanda , an American Anthropologist defined it as " A family based on
blood relations extending Over three or more generations "
● This consists of a series of close relations along either the male line [
patrilineally extended Family ] or Female line [ Matrilineally extended Family
]
● Found in the western societies and Tribes of South Africa .
● In India , the extended form of Family is known as joint Family.
C) Joint Family :
● Iravate Karve in "kinship organization in India " defines the joint Family as the
one where,
a) Members live under one roof
b) Have a common hearth
c) Share common property
d) Have a common purse and
e) Worship a common deity
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● K.M Kapadia and I.P Desai consider generation depth another feature of joint
family . According to them, Joint family is ;
a) A group of several related Conjugal or Nuclear Families in one household .
b) The labour gets pooled and all are responsible and accountable to a single authority.
Characteristics of Joint Family :
1. Large size [ by Desai ]
2. Common residence [ karve ]
3. Common kitchen [ karve ]
4. Joint property [ karve ]
5. Cooperation and Sentiments - They cherish a Common family Sentiment to abide by the
norms of joint living . [Desai ]
6. Common authority e.g; Eldest male member in patriarchal family .
7. Family interest over Individual interest.
8. Ritual bond - Common deity worship [srinivas , 1969] e.g, observation of 'pollution' by
the entire Family upon death of a member.
Advantages of Joint Family :
1. Economic security: saves property from fragmentation. Provides for Economies of
scale .
2. Old age security and childcare .
3. Common responsibility towards each other .
4. Mutual cooperation
5. Cultural continuity
6. Socialization
Disadvantages of Joint Family :
1. Hindrance to social mobility
2. Peer pressure
3. Exploitation of women
4. Conflicts
5. Lesser Chance to develop individual skills .
Statistics: Joint society prevalence,
1. Higher in Agricultural groups [ John Lewis , 1959]
2. Stronger in North India than in South India [ kapadia , 1964]
3. More in upper Castes than in lower [kolenda, 1967 ]
Joint Family adaptation and Change :
1. Disintegrationist view :
● Mandelbaum (1969 ) and A.D. Ross ( 1961) says that the joint Family system
is disintegrating as it couldn't adjust to prevailing changes of the society .
● To quote Aderson , " Family is becoming more of a private holding of its
members than a collection possession of many relatives. "
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2. Adaptational view :
● I.P Desai and K.M kapadia studied 423 Families in Mahuva Gujarat and found
that, Joint Family system is adapting .
● In Indian society , If people leave their traditional homes for better job
opportunities, career growth , Education, etc and move to metro cities , they still
maintain active links for rituals , festivals and for other social and cultural
obligations with their Family .
D) Sub - nuclear Family:
● This family consists of a former nuclear Family with Widow and her unmarried children
E) Stem Family :
● This type of Family forms when the ideal joint Family disintegrates .
● Example , the Khasi tribe in Meghalaya, a matrilineal community where the youngest
daughter brings husband , gets everything in property , land and stays with unmarried
children. Here the older sisters have to move out and set up a new household.
F) Composite family :
● combination Of more than one nuclear Family .
● It can be a joint family or polygynous family .
2. Based on Residence
a) Patrilocality or patrilocal Family or Virilocal Family :
● Wife and Husband live at Husband's residence after marriage .
● This is the general pattern found all over the country including tribes because of
patriarchy .
● Example : Gonds , Bhils , Santhals , oraon , Tallensi of Ghana .
b) Matrilocality or Uxorilocal family :
● Man or Husband joins his wife's matrilineal residence.
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● Example : Garo and khasis of Meghalaya .
c) Neolocality or Duolocal Family :
● Here a married couple shifts to a new residence
● These families are becoming more prevalent as a result of improved employment
prospects, educational opportunities, etc. in big cities.
● Example : Chenchus , Ashanti tribe of Ghana .
d) Avunculocal family or Avunculate Family :
● The new couple lives with the wife's mother's brother [ Mamu]
● It is seen in Matrilineal societies .
● These types of families are dominated by female's kin group .
● Example : Tobriand islanders
3. Based on Authority
a) Patripotestal or Patriarchal families
:
● The eldest male of the family exercises absolute authority like Father or Husband
● Example : Indian joint family system , Gonds , bhils .
b) Matripotestal or Matriarchal family :
● The eldest female member of the family possesses absolute authority.
● Wife or mother makes economic decisions and political decisions are made by
either the woman's brother or uncle .
● Example, khasis , Garo of Meghalaya
[ Note : There is no contemporary society that may be truly matriarchal . Tribes of
Meghalaya have matriliny , not matriarchy , that is , property is in the name of women but
all economic and other decisions are taken by male members. ]
c) Avuncopotestal :
● wife's Maternal uncle possesses Authority
● Example Nayars of kerala.
d) Egalitarian family :
● Authority Is equally distributed among husband and wife .
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● Contemporary shift is towards an egalitarian family system where rights and
obligations are shared equally by male and female members.
[Link] on marriage
a) Monogamous family :
● based on Monogamy [ one man married to only one woman at a time ]
● found In all tribes and societies
b) Polygynous family :
● Example : Gonds , Bhils , Santhals , Chenchu , etc
c) Polyandrous family :
● rare type of Family
● Example , Todas of Nilgiris
d) polygynandrous family :
● Few Women and a few men live together
● Example , Khasas of Jaunsar , Garo etc.
5. Based on descent / succession
a) Patrilineal families :
● Evolving from patrilineal descent
● Succession of property is from father's line .
● Example: Gonds , Santhals , Bhils .
b) Matrilineal families :
● Matrilineal descent
● Descent Is inherited from mother's line
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● Khasis and Garo tribes of Meghalaya.
c) Matrifocal family :
● mother , mother's relatives and children cohabitate while father is a socially
accepted visiting husband of the Mother .
● Example , Nayars of Kerala .
d) Bilineal family or Double descent :
● Descent is inherited from both the parents
● Example: Todas of Nilgiri.
e) Parallel descent family :
● sons belong to the father's lineage whereas daughter's belong to the mothers .
● Example , Dimsa kachari of Asaam .
6. Based on nature of blood relations:
a) Conjugal Family :
The Couple are related to each other by marriage , and are a heterosexual pair , who may or
may not have children.
b) Consanguineous Family :
● The Couple are blood relatives
● They are either cross cousins or parallel cousins .
● Prominent among Muslim communities.
Effect of Industrialization, urbanisation and
13
modernisation on Indian Family :
Definitions :
1. Industrialization is the process of transforming the economy of a nation or region from
a focus on agriculture to a reliance on manufacturing. Mechanized methods of mass
production are an essential component of this transitions.
2. Urbanization refers to the population shift from rural to urban areas, the corresponding
decrease in the proportion of people living in rural areas, and the ways in which societies
adapt to this change.
3. Modernisation is an idea in the circle of sociologies that alludes to the process in which
society experiences industrialisation, urbanisation, and other social changes that change
people’s lives.
The positive characteristics of industrialization
On Family as a social institution is changing as other institutions. The changes differ in
countries according to their degrees of Industrialization, urbanisation and other processes .- [
ogburn]
1. Economic aspect :
● Pre- industrialization, families used to be a unit of production. Now Family is no more a
unit of production.
● There has been a shift in the production unit from family to individual.
● Urbanization has shifted the workplace from home to external institutes .
● Diversified nature of work within the family.
● Unity and solidarity on the nature of work is reduced .
● High internal migration due to better job opportunities.
● Increase in disposable income .
● Increased cost of living in urban areas.
2. Cultural aspect:
● generation Depth : between pre - Industrialized older generation and Industrialized
young generation.
● Shift of Enculturation responsibility from home to external institutions like creche ,
play schools etc
● Creation of new professions : like kindergarten, old age homes and baby care centers
.
3. Social aspect :
● Feminism idea may demand control : due to Egalitarian status of men and
women
● Mechanization of work reduces dependence on the older generation for
household help .
14
● Larger secondary groups like friends , colleagues lead to lesser importance of
primary groups .
● Impact on Purpose of marriage: earlier the marriage was mostly religious and
it was considered to be sacred but presently it is more of an emotional civil
contract .
● Spread of modern education : Allien Ross and I.P Desai have highlighted
that modern education works against joint family in two ways -
a) By increasing occupational mobility
b) By promoting individualism .
Impact on family :
J.P. Singh [ Eastern Anthropologist, 2010] has investigated how the aforementioned changes
affect families, and has outlined the characteristics of the modern family that are typical of
industrial cultures.
● A new found respect of the individual .
● Reduced dependence on family
● Neolocal residences on rise
● Traditional businesses are getting perished.
● Disintegration of joint to individual family.
● Decreased dependence on family for socialization.
● Increased role conflicts leading to higher divorce rates and single parent families.
● Equal rights for men and women
Conclusion:
1. A reverse trend is being witnessed by various Sociologists and Anthropologists from
nuclear family to joint family to get back the emotional and psychological support
provided by the Family unit as a whole . Hence , in India, joint Family still exists as a
moral entity and Is not completely structurally isolated.
2. However, it's interesting to note that the census 2011 revealed that the number of joint
families in India increased by 26% in urban industrial areas and by 2% in rural areas.
Two factors have been identified by several sociologists as the causes:
a) escalating land prices
b) A fresh understanding of the social and psychological security that a combined
family offers.
3. Reverse Migration[ urban to rural ] caused due to covid induced lockdown has pushed
people to move back to their traditional places has proved the need for sustainability of the
traditional businesses and joint Family system.
Impact of Feminist Movements on Family :
Definition :
15
1. Feminism is a term that includes " Movements and ideologies which have an impact on
the liberation of women "
● It also includes establishment of equal rights for women and opposes all forms of male
domination .
● The origin of the ideology can be traced back to the late 18th century.
● The Feminist movements are working towards twin goals ,
a) Fighting for equal rights for women
b) Equal opportunities in the field of education and employment.
● Feminists are also fighting for women's rights to have control over their body and
Reproductive functions.
● Radical Feminists believe that all institutions which are patriarchal in origin need to be
abolished
● Others argue that there should be redistribution of rights and obligations between males
and females in the family .
● Feminism can be both a cause and consequence of women education and women
employment.
● Feminists believe the unpaid work done by women at home should get due recognition
and legal backing .
●
Positive Impact On Family :
1. Higher education for women
2. Equality between men and women
3. Women centric legislation like MTP act 2021 is more progressive than MTP 1971, Dowry
Prohibition act , Domestic violence act .
4. Equal pay for equal work for men and women
5. Economic independence of women
6. Women being able to take advantage of waves of urbanization and industrialization.
7. Women able to raise voice against any type of sexual assault , Harassment and rape
culture . Example, # Me too movement
8. Statistics show that women's education has led to better social indicators like reduced
poverty , improved literacy rate , better nutrition and health status among both mother
and newborn.
Negative impacts on Family :
1. Ego clashes and self centered tendencies among women .
2. Children are being seen as restrictions on women's growth and career .
3. Rise in the number of nuclear and sub- nuclear Families .
4. Weakening of kinship bonds .
5. High divorce rates .
6. Single parent families lead to bad psychological conditions on children .
7. Socialization has shifted from home to external institutions .
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8. Rise in live - in relationships and extra - marital affairs .
Conclusion:
1. According to Katherine R. Allen, feminism has caused male members to gradually
embrace the changing gender roles and to become more involved in the socialisation of
the children .It has led to more inclusivity and better Enculturation among the younger
generation. [ use this conclusion to end the answer on a positive note ]
2. without modifying the framework. A modification in one part of the system cannot persist
in the system as a whole. As long as society is still patriarchal, there can be no absolute
equality between a family's wife and husband. The battle for equality never ends
because equality has not been attained. It caused the family to get frustrated, which
caused the joint family structure to collapse.[ use this conclusion incase the demand
of the question is to address the negative impacts of the Feminism ] .
Impact of Education on Family :
William J Goode ( 1963) , A.D Ross , etal have studied the impact of modern education on the
Indian family system.
Case Study :
I.P. Desai studied 430 families in Mahua , Gujarat between 1955 and 1957 . As per
the studies conducted by him , Modern education has led to emergence of
individualistic feelings and Emergence of nuclear and sub - nuclear
Positive impacts :
1. Growth of modern education in science and technology has led to increased awareness,
use of contraceptives , Family planning measures ,etc .
2. Modern education has led to an increase in the marriageable age of women .
3. Increased mobility for higher studies.
4. It has led to eradication of various social evils like Dowry , sati sahagamana, child
marriages , etc
5. It has created equality of opportunity for both men and women .
6. Empowerment of women in the form of various progressive legislations like MTP act of
2021 , Maternity benefit act , 2017 , etc
Negative impacts:
1. Rise in the number of nuclear and sub - nuclear families .
2. Increased individualistic feelings
3. Out migration from native home leads to distorted sex ratios in both leaving and
receiving place .
4. It has reduced marriage to a social contract which was once recognized as a sacred
union .
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5. Modern education is slowly waning people away from organized religion that served as a
cohesive force .
Conclusion:
The institution of family is regarded as the ist school and the cradle of Enculturation for the
future generation. The institution is losing significance due to various forces of industrialization,
urbanisation and modernisation and is leading to the loss of cultural values among the future
generation.
Changing trends in the family
Cultural factors influence the institution of the family. Family is dynamic because Culture is, and
as a result, is constantly evolving.
As per Ogburn , " Family as a social institution is changing according to their degrees of
Industrialization, urbanization and isolation " .
● Recently various studies conducted on various Family units revealed a growing
trend from joint to nuclear and sub - nuclear Families.
Data and studies :
1. E.D. Driver’s study of Poona district in Maharashtra revealed that the number of joint
families in rural areas was one and half times more than that in the Urban areas.
2. At least 60% of households, according to studies by professors Shils (Nagpur), Lamb in
Tamil Nadu, and Braibanti in Uttarakhand, are nuclear families.
Factors Affecting family :
1. Modern education
2. Political intervention like Hindu succession act .
3. Westernization
4. Urbanization
5. Industrialization - because of factory employment.
6. Feminist movements
7. Science and technology
8. Assisted Reproductive techniques and various laws regulating pregnancy like
surrogacy ( regulating ) act 2021 .
Changes in structure:
1. Shift to Nuclear Families :
● M.S. Gore’s “Urbanization and Family change’ examines the nature and extent of
change in family relationships among the Aggarwals, a business community of Delhi
under the possible impact of industrialisation and urbanization.
● He concluded that there is a shift from joint to nuclear Families .
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2. Small joint Families :
● NFHS Data have revealed that Family structure is shifting from large joint
families to small joint families and Neo local residences .
3. Single parent families :
● Increase in the divorce rates has led to an increase in the number of single parent and
sub - nuclear Families .
4. Homosexual families :
● gaining acceptance. Mostly found in western countries .
● In India after decriminalization of sec. 377 IPC , more progressive rights are
being given to the LGBTQ community.
5. Increase in the number of foster families: Due to prevalence of higher divorce rates .
Changes in Function:
1. From unit of production to consumption :
● Traditional family used to be a unit of production .
2. Change in Enculturation institutions from family to TV , social media , etc .
3. Changing gender roles :
● men and women dominating the same fields on the level playing fields .
● The role of Dowry and bride price losing significance in educated families
4. Weakening control of elders
5. Increased freedom of children
6. Filiocentric families : where the decisions of parents and children are given equal
importance.
7. Decrease in the influence of kin group :
● it has led to more influence of the secondary groups like peers , colleagues, etc
Conclusion:
Milton Singer’s study on nineteen leading industrial families of Madras revealed that even
though there have been changes in the size of the family, status of women and household
activities, nevertheless the families living in nuclear households continue to maintain numerous
joint family obligations. Many a time members also subscribe to the norms of that system.
Household and Domestic group
1. Household :
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● A household consists of people ,who unlike family are not necessarily related but live
under a common roof.
● Paul Bohannan ,defines household as an arrangement based on Residence and
physical proximity whereas family is based on Kinship and marriage .
● So a Household includes all the people who occupy a housing unit [Housing unit
consists of a house , an apartment , a mobile home , a group of rooms or a single
room occupied as a single living quarters]
● So all Families are households but the vice versa is not true .
● Example , Royal household, household of rich and powerful patrons, an Israeli kibbutz
(a collectively owned and operated agricultural settlement).
Munduruku of Amazon where all males above 13 years of age live in a single household
. Whereas females and children aged below 13 years live in another household .
● Due to Industrialization and Urbanization , in the industrial towns and big metro cities
the household groups are rising due to two main reasons;
a) High cost of living
b) Limited spaces .
2. Domestic group :
1. Smith defines Domestic group as a group of people who habitually share a common
dwelling and a common food supply.
2. Meyer Fortes , defined a domestic group as , essentially family and housekeeping
groups that band together to supply their members with material and cultural resources
to maintain and raise them.
3. The members in a domestic group are kinsmen who are either agnates[ related by blood
] or affines [ related by marriage]
4. In contemporary functional schools , domestic groups are seen as functional variants of
Family .
5. Example of Domestic group - youth dormitories found in various tribal societies [
The topic of youth dormitory will be covered in Tribal India ]
Phases in the development cycle of a domestic group :
a) Phase of expansion: begins with marriage and grows as children are born.
b) Phase of dispersion : starts with the first or eldest child getting married and lasts until
the last or youngest child gets married.
c) Phase of replacement: starts With ageing of parents and continues till their death . The
children replace the parents / head of the family and then undergo the phase of
expansion.
Difference between a Family and a household
1. Family: consists of people connected by marriage, blood or adoption , whereas
Household consists of people living together who may be hardly related at all .
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2. Family : is not necessarily a residential group However ,
Pre - condition for Household to exist is common residence only.
3. Family : mobility in and out of Family is restricted or difficult whereas there is flexibility to
change a household .
4. Family : is a kin group but Household is only a residential group.
Conclusion:
Joint Families are becoming nuclear or sub-nuclear Families as a result of causes like
industrialization, urbanisation, or modernization; this condition is giving rise to new organisations
like households .
Compound Family:
A Cluster of buildings in an enclosure having a shared or associated purpose, such as the
houses of an extended Family can be called a compound Family.
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