By Dr. Jagdish Kumar Bhutani, MBBS, MD (General Medicine), Sr. Consultant Physician at SN Medical Centre, Karnal
THERE was a time when 90 percent of American families were joint families. Most families had a large number of members, from grandparents, parents to grandchildren and many siblings, uncles and aunts.The families were engaged either in the farming, or small trades, where all the members played a role, thus called corporate families, by many social scientists.
INDIA was no different……
The supporting web of the extended-joint families having parents, cousins (aunts-uncles), in-laws, and grandparents, was resilient for all the members, especially the vulnerable ones (children and the females).
If some mishap or death happened to one parent or adult, there were others to step in and the family continued without any major shock-of-breech. Similarly, if some relation cracked or ruptured, the grand joint family was sealed and protected. Even a disabled child or maimed adult could live well in a joint family.
INDIA was no different……
A detached nuclear family, by contrast, is a close relationship of four people at the most….If there is a mishap or the relationship breaks, there are no shock absorbers. The vulnerable members, like the lady and the child, suffer the most.
Socializing and moralizing force of the extended-joint family was another boon….Multiple adult members could teach children right and wrong, how to behave toward others with the sterling values of sharing, tolerating, and accepting each other. The HOME and HEARTH was a sacred, moral-haven, and cultural ideal for all, watched and blessed by GODS.
INDIA was no different……
The industrial revolution changed all, and the extended-joint family was fragmented and converted into single economic units….The gates of a heartless world were thus opened. And opened more and more to accommodate more and more with each new industrial revolution (currently industrial revolution-4).
INDIA is no different……
Americans today have less family than ever before.
India is no different……
The loss of extended family has caused a whole set of problems of a HEARTLESS world.
India is no different……
#Humbledoc build and work for the FAMILY, if you want to build a fulfilling society.....HOME and HEARTH....असली परिवार चार के पार।
