SERICUL TURE AND THE PROCESS OF CHANGE - Institute for ...

communication, education, employment opporturunes outside and the
emergence of individualistic spirit (1983 :24;393). Another factor that
has a considerable impact on the changing structure of the family system
in India is family planning, which has reduced the size of the family
considerably. Some studies (i.e., Singh 1970:254-6) have noted a
difference in family structure with caste-class variations. Accordingly,
the structure of the family among the lower castes is said to be just the
opposite of the pattern among the upper or intermediate castes. This
pattern IS related to the significance given to conformity to the
traditional family ideal. This is also positively correlated with joint
ownership of wealth and property. Moreover, agricultural occupation
and land-holding is seen as sustaining the motivation for jointness
among the upper castes. No sufficient land and substantial property are
discerned among the lower castes to hold the interest of the members to
the joint family norm. As a result, it allows their young to behave more
independently and break away from the parental family authority at the
slightest provocation. However, there are studies that call for reexamining
such observations (Kolenda 1986:77). The People of India
data indicate that there is only partial correlation between caste rank and
proportions of joint families (Morab 1992:3).
Some studies have noted changes in authority structure within the
family, shifting from the old to the young (e.g., Ishwaran 1970a: 192).
Epstein's (1979) study identifies change in power relation within the
family due to greater economic independence of the individuals. She has
also noted that greater the opportunity for profit, weaker are the ties of
extended kinship.
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