Question

Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow.

I was born and raised in a large family in Ahmedabad where many members lived under the same roof. However, few months after I got married, my husband and I moved to Chennai. In the beginning, I enjoyed the privacy with my husband. But on certain occasions I also felt the absence of other family members around us along with their interactions and regular ‘interference’. As time passed by, I started feeling lonely and missed the crowd of relatives around me. I particularly remembered the fun-filled moments that I spent with my large family during festivals. My husband and I made good friends with few neighbours, but the loneliness remained. After the birth of both my children, I needed my mother and mother-in-law around to assist me for a while, but I had to manage on my own. Things became really difficult when I took up a job. I had to leave both my children in a day care centre. It was then that I most cherished the memories of my childhood spent with my family.

1. What types of family have been referred to by the narrator?     (2)
2. Compare the two types of families identified in subpart (i).        (5)

Answer 1

1. Joint family and Nuclear family.
2. These two family types can be compared on certain parameters that are common to both.
   1. Rural vs Urban: Joint family structure has been equated with the traditional social setup and is more prevalent in rural belt. While nuclear family setup emerged with the rise of urbanisation.
   2. Family size: Joint family size large and many generations live together under the same roof. Family members cook and eat from a common kitchen. Nuclear family size is small and only two generations live together.
   3. Authority and roles: In the Joint family structure, authority lies with the oldest male/female member and gender roles are clearly defined. They are mostly aligned with stereotypical gender roles. On the contrary, authority is divided and gender roles are reversible in a Nuclear family structure.
   4. Decision making: Marriage is a family decision in Joint family. It is an individual’s decision in Nuclear family.
   5. Individualism: Joint family allows little scope for individualism since most of the decisions are taken jointly and an individual is expected to perform them. Nuclear family, on the other hand, promotes individualism and gives autonomy to the members to take their own decisions.
   6. Occupation: Family occupation is considered important in Joint family and has to be carried forward by the children. Nuclear family allows an individual to choose his/her profession or occupation and does not necessarily impose the choice of the elders.
   7. Socialisation: Owing to the large family size, socialisation is mainly within the family. Different generations in the family jointly celebrate festivals and other important occasions. It is considered an ideal setup to raise children and instil cultural awareness and values in them. In a Nuclear family setup, socialisation happens outside of the family, sometimes with neighbours or other families dwelling in the same community. Often, secondary agencies take the responsibility of socialisation.
   8. Status of women: Women perform traditional gender roles of a home maker in a Joint family. They are conditioned to perform this role and are not expected to question the decisions made by men. On the other hand, women have an almost equal status in Nuclear family and they participate in the decision making alongside men.