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ABSTRACT
The predominant type of living arrangement in pre-independence India was joint family system. It was based on the notion of collectivism and charity. It was a serving place for not only nurturing and preserving social values, but also passing them down through generations. After the advent of industrialization and subsequent emergence of urbanization and modernization, the joint families started disintegrating into nuclear families. The modern nuclear family is perpetually promoting the principle of individualism or independence in contrast to the value of collectivism deep-rooted in joint family. It is, therefore, a value shift in family from collectivism to individualism. It is followed by a loyalty shift in family from lineal ties to conjugal ties. Consequently, nuclear family has become an indispensible social unit in contemporary Indian society. However, its sustainability may perhaps be uncertain in a distant future because of the inclination of present younger generation to complete independence in life. Probably this may result in the emergent of a new type of living arrangement to satisfy the needs of generations of people in a remote future.
Keywords: Joint Family, Nuclear Family, Collectivism, Individualism, Values, Partner relationship
Family is considered to be the most essential part for everyone to lead a personal life. Every individual is taught about the importance of family since his/her childhood. In contemporary time, family across the world is undergoing changes in terms of its structure as well function. Similarly, the changes in joint family system in India took place in the first half of twentieth century though this was in existence since ancient time. This has resulted in the emergence of the nuclear family system. Joint family left an emotional bond between two generations, which kept its members united in all situations. The tradition and culture was passed on through generations, which made them uphold 'collectivism' as a predominant social value in their life. On the contrary, 'individualism' is much sought-after principle by the freedom loving couples in the nuclear family.
This paper aims at analyzing the views of Indian as well as foreign scholars on transition of Joint Family. It also attempts to establish nuclear family as an inevitable alternate social unit in contemporary Indian society. Finally it examines the probability of uncertainties concerning nuclear family in...