Question : Legislation and socio-economic change in the family.
(1994)
Answer : The social legislations especially related to women have brought tremendous change in the socio-economic structure and function of family in India. Some of the important legislations are; The Hindu Marriage Act- (1955), The Hindu succession Act- (1956), Widow Remarriage Act- (1929), Dowry prohibition Act-(1961), Special Marriage Act-(1954) etc. These legislations have chiefly enhanced the liberty and right of the women within the family. Thus, the domination of male member over the women, torture and exploitation ....
Question : Give some of the important studies relating to the structural changes in the Indian family system.
(2015)
Answer : In India, family is the most important institution in an individual’s life. The family has contributed to the stability of Indian society and culture. Indian family system has undergone drastic change in response to development in terms of industrialization, education and urbanization. The old traditional joint family system has given way to nuclear family system. According to an UNESCO study, growth of industrialization has radically changed the employment structure with the possibility of individuals going ....
Question : Broadly compare the kinship system of North and South India.
(2015)
Answer : The system of kinship defining the way in which relations between individuals and groups are organized through blood, adoption or marriage, are of vital importance in all human societies. There exists a distinct regional contrast in kinship, marriage, and female status between north/north-western regions and the large southern peninsula of India. In this view, the ‘north’ has more starkly patriarchal kinship, with such concomitants as exogamous marriages, lower female status/autonomy, hefty dowry, son preference and ....
Question : What is patriarchy? How does it affect the child socialization pattern in India?
(2015)
Answer : Patriarchy is a term for societies in which male is the favored gender, and in which men hold power, dominion and privilege. It is characterized by current and historic unequal power relations between women and men, whereby women are systematically disadvantaged and oppressed. This is particularly reflected in women’s under-representation in key state institutions, in decision-making positions and in employment and industry.
In Indian families, gender roles are well differentiated and influence the socialization process from ....
Question : Why is it necessary to implement PCPNDT Act in India?
(2015)
Answer : The Census 2011 reported a 940/1000 sex ratio for the country. The practice of sex selective abortion has been critically influencing skewed sex ratios. In a country like India, widespread illiteracy and poverty enmeshed in strong socio-cultural and religious biases and a preference for sons in some communities, have shaped societal attitudes in favour of the son. In many parts of India, community customs such as the practice of dowry are perceived as a financial ....
Question : To what extent the Muslim Personal Law Board is in agreement with Islamic feminist agenda?
(2015)
Answer : Gender equality exists in the Qu’ran. During the early Islamic times, women had a great deal of power in the religious and political spheres. It is a militant and mechanical feminism that falls prey to the belief that “Islam is deeply anti-woman” and it is the fundamental cause of the repression of women. Islam as a religion is not birthing this oppression, rather the men who are interpreting the Qu’ran are manipulating the true meaning ....
Question : Types of kinship systems in India.
(2014)
Answer : Kinship provides the framework of social relationship. Kinship means relationship of the individual with the other members due to either a bond of marriage or through blood. According to Murdock, “It is a structured system of relationship in which individuals are bound to one another by complex interlocking and ramifying ties”. Radcliffe-Brown says that Kinship system is a part of social structure and insists upon the study of kinship as a field of rights and ....
Question : Define Patriarchy. How does it impact the overall entitlement of a girl child in India?
(2014)
Answer : In the social perspective, patriarchy is viewed as a process that institutionalizes and legitimizes male domination in the social fabric. It also privileges men over women in society. Femininst sociologists raise voice against patriarchal approach where women continue to perform unpaid work within the household and in family farms and enterprises.
Despite its obvious economic and social worth, much of the work that women do remains ‘invisible’ in national accounting and the census, as well as ....
Question : Has nuclear family existed in traditional India? Discuss with reference to the views of I.P. Desai.
(2012)
Answer : Family is the smallest structural unit of Indian society. Family is made up by the insti-tution of marriage. Traditional Indian society is basically a society of joint family. According to some sociologists, Indian family inthe past meant a joint family. In India, I.P.Desai keeps important place in India for family related studies. Desai has put forward major hypothesis that when we talk about family in India, its real meaning is joint family. I.P. Desai has ....
Question : Comment on the social and cultural determinants of sexual division of labour.
(2012)
Answer : All societies of world necessarily have some form of labor division. Labor division based on sex is one of them. This sexual division of labor is derived from authoritative structure of different societies. For example, in patrilineal society male has prominent role in public affairs whereas role of female is negligible. Family head, social, econo-mic and public governance related work are given to male whereas female work are limited to caring of children and domestic ....
Question : Marriage as sacrament and marriage as contract.
(2012)
Answer : In Hinduism, marriage is treated as sacrament. In Hindu marriage, from beginning to end there is predominance of many religious rites, acts and norms. The importance of religiousness is seen in the aims of Hindu marriage. In Hindu, mar-riage is treated as sacrament & indestructible bond and breaking it according to own will is taken as a sin.
Hindu marriage provides opportunity to step towards spirituality by purifying the life of person and according to religious ....
Question : Affinal kin and Consanguineous kin.
(2012)
Answer : Social structure and system of Indian society is structured by kin or kinship. Kinship system has been a main organizational theory of society which establishes relationship between parents, children, siblings and married couple. There are two types of kinship-Affinal kin and Con- sanguinous kin.
Affinal relation is first type of relation in kins-hip which is valid on basis of society or law. Kin based on this is called affinal kin. When a person gets married, then ....
Question : Challenges to Institution of marriage.
(2012)
Answer : Marriage is a socially approved, formal and comparatively stable system of sexual relationship or aggregate of rules and ethics between two or more than two heterosexuals bounded by responsibilities and rights, necessary for family life. In terms of social institution, a rapid change is coming in nature, forms, types and objective of marriage. Pre-marriage and extra marital affairs, marriage without sexual relations, child bearing without marriage, high rates of divorce and homosexual marriage etc. have ....
Question : Distinction between the concepts of family and household.
(2011)
Answer : Most of the familiy studies in India wishfully ignore the significance of household in studying the nature of social and demographic composition of family. Irawati Karve has given a famous definition of joint family emphasizingon joint family as a residential unit where people holding property in common. It is a multigenerational agnatically related social groups where the authority is centered around the eldest male. Joint family means joint household where people are holding property commonly ....
Question : What has been the impact of globalisation on the cultural aspects of the family?
(2009)
Answer : Globalisation has emerged as one of the most important phenomenon of present age with its social, economic and political dimensions. It is a process by which social life within societies is increasingly being affected by international influences covering every thing from political, economic, trade ties, mass media, cultures etc. with the improvement in communication and the entry of radio, television, internet etc. in the domain of public life, its impact on social life has increased ....
Question : What is Patriarchy? How have the woman’s movements confronted the norm of Patriarchy?
(2008)
Answer : Patriarchy in general term means male domination and authority over females. Sylvia Walby identifies patriarchal structures which remit women and help to maintain male domination.
Question : Discuss the impact of legislation and socio-economic changes on marriages and family institutions. Are these institutions weakening in contemporary India?
(2007)
Answer : The Preamble to the Constitution of India speaks of securing to all citizens of India equality of status and of opportunity as well as justice-social, economic and political. One of the Directives of State Policy explains that the state would not make discrimination on the ground of sex, religion or caste and that it should direct its policy towards securing equal pay for equal work for men and women. A number of other legislations have ....
Question : Discuss the influence of Socio-cultural factors on age of marriage in India.
(2004)
Answer : Child marriages have been very common in our country. According to the 1931 census, 72 per cent marriages in India were per formed before 15 years of age and 34 per cent before ten years of age. Since then, there has been a continuous increase in the mean age of marriage is estimated to be continuously increasing, yet a large number of girls even today marry at an age at which they are not ready ....
Question : Discuss the metaphysical and ethical basis of Hindu social organisation.
(2002)
Answer : The Hindu social organisation has been well known for its metaphysical, ethical and cultural characteristics. A large volume of authentic literature related to it are found in the Vedas, Upnishad Purans, Gita, Ramayan etc. According to Hindu view man is altogether composed of the desires (Kama). As are his desires, so his discretion/insight (Kratu); as is his discretion, so are his deeds, as are his deeds, so is the destiny. Hence, if a man has ....
Question : What factors are responsible for the instability of Indian family? Will the family survive the present crisis in modern society?
(2001)
Answer : The structure and functional sides of our traditional joint family as well as the nuclear family are vastly changing in the emerging modern industrial and capitalist global socio-economic order. There are so many factors which have attacked its structure and functions and given it a new direction. I.P. Desai, in his book, Social Monograph, some aspect of family in Mahua" has argued about some factors which have made the joint family unstable. These factors are ....
Question : Out line the social factors related to generation gap. How does the generation gap lead to problem of youth unrest?
(1997)
Answer : The term "generation gap" denotes the differences of opinion, values, aspiration and consideration between the old and the new generation of the society. The old generation consists of parents, grand parents, teachers, old age politician etc. who have deep experiences and knowledge related to various walks of life such as social, political, economic and technological. On the other hand, the new generation consists of youth who, in all age, has been known for his revolutionary ....