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Marriage and some Recent Trends

Marriage And Some Recent trends

MARRIAGE AND FAMILY IN INDIA – SOME RECENT TRENDS


Marriage is an important institution for every society including India. In India attitude towards marriage has considerably changed and with that certain new trends have also come to the front. These may be discussed as follows:


1. Religious Bias Decreasing: Marriage was considered a religious function in the past with the result that once married was married for ever. There was no question of dissolution of marriage. But now gradually, particularly in the urban areas, marriage is being considered a friendship. In the rural areas that is still considered as a religious institution, but gradually this attitude is changing in rural societies as well.
   
   
2. Single Family System: Not long back joint family system was considered most suitable for Indian conditions. A newly we couple who left joint family was condemned by the society. But today gradually even in the rural areas, single family was condemned by the society. But today gradually even in the rural areas, single family system is replacing the joint family system. In the urban areas of course the joint family system is considerably on the decline.
   
   
3. Provision of Divorce: Before the passing of Hindu Marriage Act 1955, it was never thought by the Hindus that a wife could leave her husband under any circumstance. But today a Hindu wife can divorce her husband under certain circumstances. Thus the cases of divorce in India so far are very few, but the provision for divorce can create instability in the family.
   
   
4. Respect for Women: During the last few centuries, women in Indian family had lost much respect and individuality. She had been made to accept a subordinate position. But gradually now the women are getting their due respect in the family and instead of subordination, they are getting position of equality, which is creating its own problems.
   
   
5. Size of the Family: In the past no family bothered about it size. In fact a big family was considered a source of strength. But today much stress is being laid on family size. Due to family welfare campaign size of family is reducing and now an ideal family consists of 2-3 children. The wife now refuses to be child producing machine of her husband.
   
   
6. Monogamy: On the whole in India monogamy system of marriage is preferred over polygamy. It is preferred because it is felt that then alone there can be harmonious living and development in the family. With monogamy alone love and affection in the family develops and quarrels are reduced to the maximum..
   
   These are some of the recent trends in marriage and family in India. The authority and power of the head of the family which was unquestionable in the past, is today being very much questioned. He is now obeyed, only when his commands are considered reasonable and rational by other members of the family. The present day family does not try to become self – sufficient in India. It is increasingly depending even in the rural areas, on outside agencies, for getting education, medical care and many other facilities.