Concept of Family in Modern India

The concept of family is deeply-rooted in the Indian culture. For centuries, Indians have been following this concept that teaches them to live in harmony. A family is an important institution that binds its members in the bond of love and care. It is the place where a child gets to know about values like loyalty, integrity and unity. Family is among the longest surviving Indian institutions that play a major role in a person’s growth right from his birth.

Role of a Family in One’s Life

A family is a safe haven to its members, which provides them loving environment, protection, stability and support. Despite having differences of behaviour and opinion; its members know how to maintain balance and harmony in their relationships. The senior members in a family, with their years of experience, guide the younger generation towards making rational decisions, introduce them to moral values and culture. Similarly, the younger generation tells them about the changes taking place in the society. Together, the three generations – grandparents, parents and children – help one another to evolve without any limitations. The strong bond they all share gives them the courage and power to overcome any distressing or traumatic event together.

The Trend of Nuclear Family

However, the trend of nuclear families has been on the rise over the past few decades. Work-related stress, social trends have resulted in the change of a family’s structure, especially in metropolitan cities. Experts in favour of this feel that the nuclear family system allows a couple to give more time to themselves and their children, and there are also fewer possibilities of family disputes. While experts to support traditional joint family claim that children living in nuclear families cannot learn the importance of close-knit relations and social norms.

Develop Strong Familial and Kinship Bonds

Everyone may choose his preferred life. Joint or Nuclear family, whatever be his choice, it should have the consensus of family members. The purpose should lie in everyone’s happiness and comfort. An ideal family is one where familial bonds and values remain intact.