Topic – Part of static series under the heading – “salient features of Indian society and diversity”
1) Indian family system has undergone drastic change in response to development in terms of industrialization, education and urbanization. Comment. (250 words)
Key demand of the question
Various changes have taken place in our society over the years as a consequence of industrialization, spread of education and urbanization. These have also impacted the nature of families in India. The question expects us to comment on the changing nature of Indian families, if at all they have changed, as a result of changes brought by industrialization, urbanization and spread of education.
Directive word
Comment – When you are asked to comment, you have to pick main points and give your ‘opinion’ on them based on evidences or arguments stemming from your wide reading. Your opinion may be for or against, but you must back your argument with evidences.
Structure of the answer
Introduction – Mention that Indian family system is marked as a very important social institution in society. Earlier Indian societies were mostly joint or extended family but owing to industrialisation and urbanisation there is a trend of a subsequent change to nuclear family.
Body
- Discuss the impact of industrialization and urbanization on Indian family
- Change in family structure – forced families to live in nearby urban clusters leading to change in family structure
- Greater individuality
- Heightened ambition as a result of which people are willing to overlook the comforts of joint family for a nuclear family
- Reduced solidarity – Some sociologist are of the view that industrialisation and urbanisation resulted in reduced mechanical solidarity i.e. feeling of likeness, fraternity to organic solidarity which are more orientated towards cooperation and need basis.
- Social problems such as wearing down of social security of senior and very senior individuals.
- Improved HDI as a result of urbanization. This has also led to better education, less social stratification among indian caste system.
- Discuss the impact of education
- Better education has led to better family planning etc
- Aspirations have increased – People are willing to travel long distances for better education in the hope of better quality of life etc
- Social issues such as gender inequality etc within families has declined
- Etc
Conclusion – Comment on the nature of changes that have taken place in Indian families as a result of aforementioned factors.
