Household Dimensions of the Family in India

Household Dimensions of the Family in India | Sociology Optional Coaching | Vikash Ranjan Classes | Triumph IAS | UPSC Sociology Optional

When considering the array of 51 optional subjects for the UPSC Mains Examination, Sociology consistently stands out as a top choice. Its inherent appeal lies in its accessibility and intriguing exploration of humanity and society, catering even to students from  Science and Commerce backgrounds. With a well-defined UPSC sociology syllabus comprising only 13 units, Sociology can be comprehensively covered within 3 to 4 months, as exemplified by Commerce Graduate IAS Pradeep Singh, who achieved 307 marks in his first attempt. Notably, Sociology for UPSC has garnered a reputation as one of the Highest scoring optional subjects in the UPSC Main Examination, with numerous candidates consistently achieving 300+. Its popularity is evident in the fact that a significant proportion of top 100 rankers opt for Sociology as their optional subject, showcasing its high scoring potential, particularly for those not from sociology backgrounds. Moreover, relevance of Sociology Optional Syllabus for UPSC extends beyond the examination hall, enriching understanding across various aspects of life, from social and economic to political and cultural domains. In recent times, Sociology Optional has gained traction, aligning with the evolving trend of the UPSC Mains towards conceptual analysis. Unlike other optional subjects with unpredictable question patterns, Sociology offers stability and predictability, making it an attractive choice. This adaptability, coupled with its concise syllabus and relevance to both academic and social spheres, positions Sociology as the ideal optional subject for engineers as well as optional subject for commerce graduates and optional subject for  science graduates seeking success in the Civil Services Examination. For those pursuing Sociology as an optional subject, accessing comprehensive Sociology optional notes and few good Sociology optional books, and previous years’ UPSC sociology optional question papers is pivotal for thorough preparation. Additionally, for aspirants seeking guidance, renowned  educator Vikash Ranjan Sir at TRIUMPH IAS coaching institutes in Delhi, offer valuable support and resources. Vikash Ranjan Sir is the Best Sociology Teacher and Triumph IAS is the
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Household Dimensions of the Family in India

Relevant for Civil Services Examination
Paper-2, Unit-12 [Systems of Kinship in India
]

Household Dimensions of the Family in India

Desai, based on the data collected from Mahuwa, examined the household dimension of family. Jointness is a process, a part of household cycle. A family becomes joint from its nuclear position when one or more sons get married and live with the parents or it becomes joint also when parents continue to stay with their married sons. When married sons establish their independent households, and live with their unmarried children they become nuclear families. This is only a structural dimension of family.

Desai outlines structure of family as follows:

  1. Husband and wife.
  2. Unimember households
  3. Husband wife and married sons without children and other unmarried children.
  4. The above group with other relatives who do not add to generation depth.
  5. Three generation groups of lineal descendents.
  6. Four or more than four generations of lineal descendents.

In this classification emphasis is on the understanding of structure or composition of households based on generation and lineage combination. House is the unit of the above classification. There may be several reasons for change in the structure of family. According to Desai there are two types of reasons: natural and circumstantial Jointness itself could be a cause for a change in family. For example, married brothers or parents and married children staying together separate due to unmarried brother’s or son’s marriage. Brothers separate after parent’s death. Separation also takes place because of unwieldy size of the parental family or due to shortage of space in the household. The circumstantial reasons for separation are due to contingent situations in man’s life. These are:

  1. Men staying with relatives such as the maternal uncle later on establish one’s own household;
  2. Other relatives staying with the head die or go away; and
  3. Head of the family goes away alone for business purposes.

Besides the structural aspect of family Desai examines carefully the types of jointness based on degree, intensity and orientation in regard to functions and obligations which people perform for each other through living separately and at times at different far off places. Desai finds the following five types of households:

  1. Households with zero degree of jointness
  2. Households of low degree jointness (joint by way of the fulfilment of mutual obligations)
  3. Household with high degree of jointless (jointless by way of common ownership of property)
  4. Households with higher degree of jointless (marginally joint families)
  5. Households of highest degree of jointless (traditional joint families).

Desai concludes that today family is structurally nuclear and functionally joint based on the fact that 61 per cent are nuclear and 39 per cent are joint in Mahuwa with varying degrees as indicated above. Of the 423 respondents in Desai’s study only 5 per cent are not joint at all. There are 27 per cent families with low degree of jointness, 17 per cent with high degree, and 30 per cent with higher and 21 per cent with highest degree. Desai also reports that 220 respondents believe in jointness unconditionally, 24 have faith in muscularity unconditionally, 51 believe in jointness conditionally and 58 express their faith in nuclear family with certain conditions. It is undoubtedly clear that people have belief in joint family system, though it is another thing that they are constrained to live apart from their parents and brothers and other kin due to structural conditions on which they do not have any control.

Family is an unit with diverse and dynamic relationships within the household based on age, sex, kinship status, education, occupational status, place of work, office or power, status of in-laws etc. One cannot understand such a complex situation by looking at household dimensions of family from a legalistic point of view. An extended household is a miniature world, and as such it reflects the ethos of wider social system of which it is a constituent unit Besides the diverse and dynamic relationships within the household composition, basic norms of deference and etiquette, authority of the head of the family and rights and duties of other members, performance of common and particular tasks etc., are some other dimensions to be noted in the functioning of family in India. There are also regional variations in household dimensions. Higher education does not weaken multy- member household and since higher education is found more among the upper and upper-middle castes, joint family is more among them than the lower caste and class people. In functional terms, jointness of household is nothing but a structure of obligations among the closest kinsmen.

The End of the Blog : Household Dimensions of the Family in India

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Discover effective strategies on how to prepare for sociology optional without coaching, including insights on the best coaching for sociology optional in Delhi. Explore options for sociology optional coaching, both online and offline. Learn how to do sociology optional without coaching and find the best sociology optional coaching institutes in Delhi and Chennai. Get answers on whether one can prepare sociology optional without coaching and access valuable information on sociology optional coaching for UPSC and UPPSC exams. Uncover the top-rated sociology optional coaching through Quora discussions and enhance your preparation for sociology optional with expert advice. Discover effective strategies on how to prepare for sociology optional without coaching, including insights on the best coaching for sociology optional in Delhi. Explore options for sociology optional coaching, both online and offline. Learn how to do sociology optional without coaching and find the best sociology optional coaching institutes in Delhi and Chennai. Get answers on whether one can prepare sociology optional without coaching and access valuable information on sociology optional coaching for UPSC and UPPSC exams. Uncover the top-rated sociology optional coaching through Quora discussions and enhance your preparation for sociology optional with expert advice. Discover effective strategies on how to prepare for sociology optional without coaching, including insights on the best coaching for sociology optional in Delhi. Explore options for sociology optional coaching, both online and offline. Learn how to do sociology optional without coaching and find the best sociology optional coaching institutes in Delhi and Chennai. Get answers on whether one can prepare sociology optional without coaching and access valuable information on sociology optional coaching for UPSC and UPPSC exams. Uncover the top-rated sociology optional coaching through Quora discussions and enhance your preparation for sociology optional with expert advice.
Discover effective strategies on how to prepare for sociology optional without coaching, including insights on the best coaching for sociology optional in Delhi. Explore options for sociology optional coaching, both online and offline. Learn how to do sociology optional without coaching and find the best sociology optional coaching institutes in Delhi and Chennai. Get answers on whether one can prepare sociology optional without coaching and access valuable information on sociology optional coaching for UPSC and UPPSC exams. Uncover the top-rated sociology optional coaching through Quora discussions and enhance your preparation for sociology optional with expert advice. Discover effective strategies on how to prepare for sociology optional without coaching, including insights on the best coaching for sociology optional in Delhi. Explore options for sociology optional coaching, both online and offline. Learn how to do sociology optional without coaching and find the best sociology optional coaching institutes in Delhi and Chennai. Get answers on whether one can prepare sociology optional without coaching and access valuable information on sociology optional coaching for UPSC and UPPSC exams. Uncover the top-rated sociology optional coaching through Quora discussions and enhance your preparation for sociology optional with expert advice. Discover effective strategies on how to prepare for sociology optional without coaching, including insights on the best coaching for sociology optional in Delhi. Explore options for sociology optional coaching, both online and offline. Learn how to do sociology optional without coaching and find the best sociology optional coaching institutes in Delhi and Chennai. Get answers on whether one can prepare sociology optional without coaching and access valuable information on sociology optional coaching for UPSC and UPPSC exams. Uncover the top-rated sociology optional coaching through Quora discussions and enhance your preparation for sociology optional with expert advice.
Discover effective strategies on how to prepare for sociology optional without coaching, including insights on the best coaching for sociology optional in Delhi. Explore options for sociology optional coaching, both online and offline. Learn how to do sociology optional without coaching and find the best sociology optional coaching institutes in Delhi and Chennai. Get answers on whether one can prepare sociology optional without coaching and access valuable information on sociology optional coaching for UPSC and UPPSC exams. Uncover the top-rated sociology optional coaching through Quora discussions and enhance your preparation for sociology optional with expert advice. Discover effective strategies on how to prepare for sociology optional without coaching, including insights on the best coaching for sociology optional in Delhi. Explore options for sociology optional coaching, both online and offline. Learn how to do sociology optional without coaching and find the best sociology optional coaching institutes in Delhi and Chennai. Get answers on whether one can prepare sociology optional without coaching and access valuable information on sociology optional coaching for UPSC and UPPSC exams. Uncover the top-rated sociology optional coaching through Quora discussions and enhance your preparation for sociology optional with expert advice. Discover effective strategies on how to prepare for sociology optional without coaching, including insights on the best coaching for sociology optional in Delhi. Explore options for sociology optional coaching, both online and offline. Learn how to do sociology optional without coaching and find the best sociology optional coaching institutes in Delhi and Chennai. Get answers on whether one can prepare sociology optional without coaching and access valuable information on sociology optional coaching for UPSC and UPPSC exams. Uncover the top-rated sociology optional coaching through Quora discussions and enhance your preparation for sociology optional with expert advice.

Frequently Asked Questions by
UPSC Sociology Optional Students

  1. How to prepare for the Sociology Optional without coaching?
  • Understand the syllabus thoroughly: Familiarize yourself with the entire syllabus for both Paper I and Paper II. Download the official UPSC syllabus and use it as your roadmap. You can attend Sociology Orientation Lectors by Vikash Ranjan sir  on YouTube
  • Build a strong foundation: Start with introductory textbooks and NCERT books to grasp core sociological concepts. You can start with Introduction to Sociology books
  • Choose reliable study materials: Select high-quality textbooks, reference books, and online resources recommended by experts. You can opt for Vikash Ranjan Sir Notes too.
  • Develop a study schedule: Create a realistic and consistent study schedule that allocates dedicated time for each topic. Stick to it and track your progress.
  • Take notes effectively: Don’t just passively read. Summarize key points, create mind maps, or use other note-taking techniques to aid understanding and revision.
  • Practice answer writing: Regularly write answers to past year question papers and model questions. Focus on clarity, structure, and critical thinking. Evaluate your answers for improvement.
  • Seek guidance: You can take free Mentorship on Sociology Optional preparation by Vikash Ranjan sir. Connect with Vikash Ranjan sir (7303615329) to share strategies, ask questions, and stay motivated.  
  1. Can I prepare for Sociology Optional without coaching?

Absolutely! Many aspirants successfully clear the exam through self-study. However coaching can provide structure and guidance, for time bound preparation.

  1. What are the benefits of preparing without coaching?
  • Cost-effective: Coaching can be expensive, and self-study allows you to manage your resources efficiently.
  • Flexibility: You can tailor your study plan to your individual needs and pace.
  • Independence: You develop critical thinking and research skills, valuable assets for your career.
  1. What are the challenges of preparing without coaching?
  • Discipline and motivation: You need self-discipline to stay on track and motivated without external guidance. Coaching and Teacher keeps you motivated.
  • Access to resources: You may need to do extra research to find quality study materials and answer-writing practice opportunities. Teacher help you on this respect.
  • Doubt clearing: You might lack immediate access to someone to address your doubts and questions. Teacher like Vikash Ranjan sir is accessible to his students 24×7   Mo- 7303615329
  1. What additional resources can help me?
  • Vikash Ranjan Sir’s YouTube channel and website: Offers free Sociology lectures, study materials, and guidance.
  • Triumph IAS website: Provides past year question papers, model answers, and other helpful resources.
  • Public libraries and online databases: Utilize these resources for access to relevant books, journals, and academic articles. 

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