- Widely prevalent not so long ago – restricting here to not later than couple of centuries for
the sake of easy comprehension – closely knit as well as extended families supplementing
the core were the accepted norms. Hardly few families could boast of being nuclear as
against the teeming one’s witnessed during the times adhering to the social code that
worked so harmoniously. Of course, there used to be considerable challenges with regards
to shared resources but that never possibly became hindrance to sustain social coherence
within the society back then.
- Patriarchal hegemony was the order of the day – that continues even now in pockets though
– responsibilities between both the genders were well defined with senior male members
anointed as head of the families entrusted to run all-encompassing daily affairs. Female
members ran the household chores alongside bringing up the progenies as the era of the
day defined. Differences, frictions, trials and tribulations were handled expertly most of the
times without letting the issue(s) go unresolved or unaddressed for too long. So far so good!
PC: Medium
- As the modernity slowly made its presence ubiquitous and subsequently indispensable as it
stands now, societal fabric too underwent gradual changes in commensurate with the
evolving standards. Amidst exponential growth and revolutionary advancements – though
welcomed by the human race irrespective of boundaries – one major casualty emerging out
of the altered demographics was the noticeable loss of the preeminence of joint and
extended families. Thus, nuclear family(s) overwhelmingly assumed significance altering the
very characteristics of long followed societal customs and beliefs.
PC: Freepik
- What this particular breaking away of the societal structure did was to land a deathly blow
to the hitherto dominant position enjoyed by the senior member(s) and consequent
divesting of saying in matter concerning family. Modernity beckoned migration and the
following exodus of humanity towards urban settlements on the lookout for promising
existence was a natural corollary leading to present day altered situation where nuclear
families are ruling the roost. Senior citizens, conveniently christened, are reduced to
essaying a supporting role relegated to mostly taking care of younger ones as well as
carrying out sundry chores.
PC: Freepik
- Pragmatically speaking, restoration of past glory may not be conceivable nor feasible
immediately but the least we all should unflinchingly undertake is to accord our elders –
parents’ and the ilk – respectability, patient hearing out, listening to emanating points of
view without being judgmental as often as it merits to show that we do care for them. I feel,
without our parents’ and elders reassuring presence and primacy, we as a family are
incomplete.
PC: Freepik
