Anthropology Optional (Changing nature of family) by Sourabh Mishra

Model Answer

Question #1. Explain how feminist movement has changed understanding of family structure. 10 marks (150 words)

Ans

Approach

1. Introduce the feminism with Thinker definition
2. Case studies- Feminism associated with Marriage and Family Structure
3. Feminist Understanding of Family in India
4. Conclude with an explanation marriage is an unequal exploitative institution

Hints: Introduction:

The feminist movement has effected change in Western society, including women’s suffrage, greater access to education, more equitable pay with men, the right to initiate divorce proceedings, the right of women to make individual decisions regarding pregnancy (including access to contraceptives and abortion); and the right to own property.

Various feminist researchers across the world brought forth those women who take on the lion’s share of domestic and caring giving work which is not recognized as productive labour with any market value. Women are socialized into acceptance of feminine domestic roles in marriage which makes them good and respectable wives. (Friedan, 1963).

Case Studies:

Feminism associated with Marriage and Family Structure:

• At the same time when they go for work outside home, they are paid much less than men. There is continuity between women’s subordination within the private sphere of marriage and family and the public sphere of wage work.
• When women go out to work in similar positions as men, they are still burdened with house work performing second shift, one shift at office and another taking care of home and family by doing housework.
• Based on the Studies feminists argue that they advocating of gender division of labor in marriage harms the position of women as a whole, merely by constraining their options and ambitions. Confining them to domestic sphere and placing on them the exclusive burden of housework, gender division of labor limits women’s choices and life chances.
• They become economically, socially and politically dependent on men hampering their selfconfidence, forcing them to tolerate discrimination and violence. Thus, gender division of labor directly and indirectly coerce women to accept subordination in marriage.
• Amongst the different strands of feminism, Marxists feminists argue that monogamous marriage is a social institution that has nothing to do with love and everything to do with private property. Thus, marriage benefits the capitalist class and women’s subordination within marriage can be overcome only by overthrowing. It is the exploitative system of private property
• For radical feminists, marriage is a tool of patriarchy which through its heterosexual norms keeps women subordinated. Patriarchy is the first form of social exploitation. In this system of patriarchy, men as a group hold power over women. Power lies with men (Abbott et al. 2005).

Feminist Understanding of Family in India:

Feminism in India assumed the experiences of Hindu upper caste, middle class, urban women to be the experiences of all women.

• Guru (1995): Dalit Bahujan feminists argued that the difference is essential for understanding the Dalit women’s subjugation.
• Queer critique questioned Indian feminist negligence of the role sexuality played in determining family form, and the unequal distribution of power within. They argued against feminist nonquestioning of heteronormativity.
• According to queer critiques, feminist questioned gender roles, subordination of women, violence against women, unequal rights to property and decision making and others within family.
• Rinchin (2005) writes ‘within the family’ violence is seen as a serious concern but never as a threat to the validity, relevance and existence of the institution itself.
• According to her, ‘members of the family are burdened with the duty of replicating the structure. Families are also not open for any and every one as the gates for entry are birth and marriage. The use of force and violence for submission and compliance is not unknown

Conclusion:

An egalitarian harmonious institution but that which is fraught with contradictions. According to feminists, marriage is a hierarchical institution whereby women are given secondary status. Gender division of labor, capitalist economy, unpaid housework, unequal wage system in paid work, heterosexual norms, control over women’s sexuality, eulogizing of masculinity and femininity, violence, unequal property, and other rights, along with discriminatory laws make marriage an unequal exploitative institution.

Question #2. Explain the dynamic changes happening in the structure of family specific to Indian context. 15 marks (250 words)

1. Introduce the Family
2. Definition by many anthropologists
3. Factors responsible for the change in Indian family structure
4. Conclude with responsible factors for the change in society

Hints: Introduction:

 A family is the basic social unit of human society. The nature and the structure of the family vary from society to society. Basically, a family is a social and economic unit consisting of parents and their children. Members of the family have certain rights, norms, and obligations. The interpersonal relationship within the family makes the family an endurable social unit. Family members usually live in a single household. It provides a learning environment for children. Thus, a family is a universal institution that exists in all societies while it varies in its forms and types.

The family has been defined by many anthropologists:

George Peter Murdock (1957):

• A family is a social group characterized by common residence, economic cooperation, and reproduction. It includes both sexes, at least two of whom maintain a socially approved sexual relationship, and one or more children, own or adopted.

William Newton Stephens:

• A family, in general, is a group based on marriage and marriage contracts, including recognition of the rights and duties of parenthood, common residence for husband-wife, and children, and reciprocal economic obligation between husband and wife.

 Robert H Lowie:

• A family is a group based on marital relations, rights and duties of parenthood, common habitation, and reciprocal relations between parent and children.

Factors responsible for the change in Indian family structure:

1. Industrialisation: With the advent of the British in India a process of industrialization started which brought about far-reaching changes in the Indian social and economic life. Industrialization resulted in the migration of the rural population to the urban areas for jobs and a better standard of living breaking their relationships with the joint family. Thus, modern industries shattered the very foundation of the joint family system in India. The geographical mobility of some of the members of the joint family has affected the traditional structure of the joint family as well as the relations among the members. Jobs in the factory have freed young men from direct dependence upon their families and from the control of the heads of the households.
2. Urbanisation: Along with the process of industrialization, the process of urbanization has resulted in the weakening of the joint family system in India. The urban population has grown at a faster rate in our country in the last few decades. The result of urbanization has been the establishment of nuclear families because urban-dwellers choose nuclear families. Urbanization has emphasized individuality and privacy which encourages the establishment of independent family units. In addition, the women who have got gainful jobs seek more freedom in many aspects. Therefore, they try to restrict kinship ties.
3. Education: Education has affected the joint family system in many ways. It has brought about changes in attitudes, beliefs, values, and ideologies of the people. These changes are visible among both males and females who are educated. Education has also created individualistic attitudes among educated persons. Hence, education has worked against the maintenance of the joint family system.
4. Enlightenment of Women: The educated Indian women are impressed by modern family life. They have become conscious of their rights and equality with men. They have started making use of educational and employment opportunities. Education and jobs for women have brought about tremendous changes in their status. At present they earn their living. This gives them a sense of independence. The effect of jobs for women has been towards equality. Thus, the rise in the status of women and their economic independence have adversely affected the joint family system.
5. The Impact of Western Culture: The impact of Western culture can be seen in many ways. It resulted in the Spread of ideals of liberty and equality, Spread of individualism, and Materialistic behaviour. As a combined result of this Western influence, the old and traditional Hindu values underwent tremendous changes and the very nature of joint living was affected.
6. Change in Marriage System: Change in age of marriage, freedom in mate selection and change in the attitude of individuals towards marriage have also affected the joint family system. The choice of the marriage partners is less and less determined by the head of the family. People are less subject to parental control and other forms of social pressure regarding whom and when they shall marry. The older external and one-sided control is replaced by the choice of mate. This has weakened the patriarchal control over the family.
7. Social Legislations: The joint family system has received a great setback from several legislations. These Acts have not only modified the inter-personal relations and the composition of the family but also the stability of the joint family. The Hindu Succession Act, 1956 has brought about fundamental changes in the Hindu joint family structure by conferring equal rights on women in inheritance. Special Marriage Act, 1954 has permitted the freedom of mate selection and marriage in any caste and religion without the parent’s consent. This has affected the marriage system to a large extent.
8. Decline in Agriculture and Village Industries: The joint family system emerged as a product of agrarian society. The villagers depended on agriculture as well as agro-based college industries. But the commodities produced by the village artisans and craftsmen could not stand the competition brought about by the price and quality of goods produced in the factories. Also, overpopulation has caused excessive pressure on agricultural and residential land. Agriculture no longer employs the ever-increasing number of people depending on it. The poor and the unemployed desert their homes in search of employment elsewhere moving away from their families.

Conclusion: Family is a very fluid social institution and is in the process of constant change. The modern family or, rather the post-modern family is also witnessing several new forms of it cropping up. Modernity is witnessing the emergence of same-sex couples, cohabitation or live-in relations, single-parent households, and a large chunk of divorced living alone or with their children is a responsible factor for the change in society.