2. Introduction
• Kinship Culturally defined relationships between individuals who are
commonly thought of as having family ties.
• • Although usually thought of in terms of biology, much of kinship is actually
culturally constructed. Consanguineal relatives: people on both sides of
family related to you by blood.
• Affinal relatives: people who are related to you through marriage.
• Fictive kinship: patterned on kin-like relations but not actually based upon
blood or marriage.
• Godparents/coparents (compadrazgo in Latin America), “aunts”, “uncles”,
“brothers”, “sisters” Adoption
3. Changing Family Structures:
• India has traditionally been characterized by extended families living
together. However, in recent years, there has been a notable shift
towards nuclear families due to urbanization, migration, and
economic factors.
• This change has both positive and negative implications for kinship
ties, as it can lead to greater independence for individual family
members but may also result in weakened support systems.
4. Decline in Joint Family System:
• The joint family system, where multiple generations live together, has
been an integral part of Indian culture.
• However, this system has been on the decline due to factors such as
urbanization, career aspirations, and changing attitudes toward
personal space and privacy.
5. Intergenerational Conflict:
• With the rapid pace of societal changes, there can be conflicts
between older and younger generations regarding values, lifestyle
choices, and expectations.
• This often arises when younger individuals embrace modern values
and are more open to change, while older generations may adhere to
traditional norms and customs.
6. Marital Issues and Divorce:
• The institution of marriage is facing challenges, including rising
divorce rates.
• Factors such as changing gender roles, increased education and
financial independence of women, and growing individualism have
contributed to marital issues and breakdowns.
7. Interfaith and Inter-caste Marriages:
• Interfaith and inter-caste marriages continue to be a contentious
issue in India.
• Such unions often face resistance and social stigma from conservative
elements of society and sometimes even lead to violent reactions
from extremist groups.
8. Functions of Kinship:
• Vertical function – binding together successive generations, thereby providing
social continuity.
• Passing on property, political office, & tradition.
• Horizontal function – tying people together across a single generation
through marriage practices.
• Kin groups usually practice some degree of exogamy – rule which states that
you must marry outside a certain group.
• People must normally look outside for marriage partners and create alliances
with other groups.
• Alliances can be useful for political, economic, ceremonial purposes
9. Contd:
• Surrogacy and Assisted Reproduction: India has seen a rise in the use
of surrogacy and assisted reproductive technologies. The lack of
comprehensive legal frameworks to regulate these practices has
raised ethical and social dilemmas related to parental rights, child
welfare, and commercial exploitation.
• Adoption Challenges: Although adoption can be a solution for
orphaned or abandoned children, the adoption process in India can
be complex and time-consuming. There is a need for streamlining the
adoption system to provide better opportunities for children in need
of care and protection.
10. Conclusion:
• It's important to recognize that India is a diverse country with various
cultural and regional nuances.
• Kinship issues may differ significantly from one community or region
to another.
• Societal attitudes and government policies continue to play a crucial
role in shaping the dynamics of kinship in India.
