Changes in Decision Making Process and Authority in Families in Rural Punjab: A Comparative Study

Abstract

This study was planned to find the changes occurring in rural family institution in Punjab and its major consequences. This study was done in Sangrur and Ludhiana district of Punjab to analyse the changes occurring in family institution and it was found that structure of family system have been significantly changed. The present study was conducted to assess the causes and consequences of changing family institution in two districts of Punjab by taking a sample of 320 respondents, with the following objectives: (i) To highlight the changes occurring in the family structure of rural areas, (ii) to pinpoint the factors responsible for the changes in rural families, (iii) to examine the social, economic, cultural and psychological impact of changing role of families.  Respect of elders by children has declined significantly, as 84% of the respondent feel that their importance had been decreased in the family. Place of giving birth to child has also been changed from home (26%) to Hospital (74%) at two point of time.  Agriculture has loosened its position of prime occupation preference among farm families in recent past. Only 8 per cent of the respondents prefer agriculture for their children. Socialization process of children have changed as 82% of the respondents said that children use more technology in 2015 while, 29% and 41% replied that children do not attend family conversation and do not perform household work respectively. The use of technology of various types has increased significantly in family life from 1990 to 2015. A notable finding of study showed a shift from individual (male) to collective decision with regard to various issues of families, particularly the education of children. Similarly there is a decline in performance of various traditional rituals. Increased show off culture (85%), impact of urbanization (64%), lack of job opportunities (79%), self centred attitudes of family members (76%), increase use of technology (85%) came out as main factors responsible for generating changes in the institution of family. Lack of patience among members, increasing problem of aged and children, increasing conflicts among families and changing types of families were major consequences. Adequate interaction in family to keep the emotional bonding, judicious use of technology, inculcating moral values among children and shunning the materialistic tendency were some of the suggestions given for smooth functioning of families in the rural areas.