Joint Family vs Nuclear Family
Joint family vs nuclear family, which one is better? The debate has been going on for years. But before we enter into the comparison, let us first understand what a family is: A group of people related by blood, marriage, or adoption is called a family. Families are of two types: joint families and nuclear families. In a joint family system, two or more generations, like grandparents, uncles, and aunts, live together. On the other hand, in a nuclear family, only the father, mother, and their children live together separately from other family members.
Growing Trend of Nuclear Families:
These days, the trend for nuclear families is growing. One reason is that, for the sake of the job or education of the children, people are migrating towards cities or relocating themselves. So, they do not keep their parents with them. There are various reasons behind it, like rented apartments and less spacious rooms. Also, the expenses in the city are very high. It can also be seen that, after getting married, a boy distances himself from his parents and tries to live separately. All these issues create a debate between joint family vs nuclear family. Let us check the comparison of both:
Joint Family
Advantages of a Joint Family:
- Older people, like grandfathers and grandmothers, get the company and support of young children.
- Young children get the guidance and support of experienced elders.
- A joint family is cost-effective, and it reduces the burden.
- In a joint family, people support one another in difficult times.
- In the event of the sudden job loss of any family member, other members can help each other.
- People living in a joint family can adjust to different situations.
- In a joint family, children are found to be extroverts. Also, they can adapt to any situation easily.
- Festivals and functions are celebrated more joyfully in a joint family set-up.
Disadvantages of a Joint Family:
- There are chances of fights over sharing household work and financial responsibilities.
- In the case of any decision, it is challenging to reach common ground because of the number of people involved.
- Earning members may feel an unnecessary burden because they are contributing more in comparison to others. It can lead to conflict.
- A joint family lacks privacy. Anyone can use personal items or occupy personal space.
Also Read: Love Marriage Vs Arrange Marriage
Nuclear Family
Advantages of the Nuclear Family:
- The nuclear family has more privacy.
- In a nuclear family, there are fewer chances of conflict.
- Generally, nuclear families have more gender equality because a girl can live freely in a nuclear family. This is a major point in the debate of joint family vs nuclear family.
- Adults in nuclear families learn to be independent and take responsibility to support their families.
- Kids follow the same things that they observe. So, they also survive in any difficult situation alone and do not face any difficulty while migrating to a new place.
- Nuclear family members can go on vacation freely.
- Children can focus on their studies as there are a smaller number of people at home.
Disadvantages of the Nuclear Family:
- When both parents are working, it becomes difficult to manage children.
- Children may catch bad habits. So, in joint family vs nuclear family, here nuclear family has an advantage.
- In a joint family, children get the support and guidance of grandparents, uncles, and aunts; on the other hand, the support of elders is missing in a nuclear family.
- Living in a nuclear family allows you to stay in touch with relatives. Those living in a nuclear family generally get isolated from their extended family.
- The upcoming generation will follow the same trend and may leave their parents in the future.
- This will cause loneliness in elderly parents and increase the problem of ageing.
Conclusion :
This way, we can say that both Join Family and Nuclear Family are good. It depends on the situation and choice of the family members to live in a joint or nuclear family.
Research Outcome (Joint Family vs Nuclear family):
This research presents the youth’s perspective regarding joint and nuclear family systems. The younger generation prefers nuclear family systems because they feel it respect their privacy and freedom. Moreover, the youth do not want to get involved in problems associated with joint family systems, including disputes over property and other issues after the death of the head of the family. Thus, the compromise in emotional and personal liberty is the most probable reason for the drift in youth’s preferences from joint family systems towards nuclear family systems.
https://www.asianonlinejournals.com/index.php/AJSSMS/article/view/2690
