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Abstract

The papers in this volume present a wide range of dimensions of the Indian family .These are not just about changes and trends but about the ways the Indian family is found in various places, drawing on studies from different parts of the world.Bali Ram addresses the effects of fertility on family change using secondary data gathered from multiple sources. Ram presents the current trends in fertility in India, taking into account the regional differences in the country and comparing this with other selected countries. This analysis brings out some interesting features of Indian fertility: the majority continues to marry early, couples prefer to complete childbearing early, and that they desire two children including a boy. The participation of women in labor , according to this study, is not very encouraging for a number of reasons. The discussion on the relationship between fertility and gender imbalance gives us seme new insights into the Indian family.The matriliny system has always had its always of functioning. Kerala is known for this system. Illustrating the case of two comunities, Vineetha Menon shows how the transformation among Kjrichiyans and Thirumumbu frcm natriliny to patriliny has happened. This investigation tells us that the transformation was the result of fetors such as the lack of residential space, the absence of ecormic cooperation, iirprovemants in formal education, the desire of ecormic independence, conflicts within the joint family and the inpact of develcpment programs introduced by the State for the comunity . Menon also examines the gander relations in these comunities and concludes that the family in Kerala has travelled through historic ncmants of legal reforms and custrnary practices.The processes of gender roles and family patterns in transnational Hindu families-Hindu Gujarati-in Portugal are the focus of the ethnographic study conducted by Ines Iruranco and Rita Cachado. They think that the gander negotiations influence the form of families to become reorganized. The study notes that the transfornations tate place at the level of cpncer roles rather than at the level of kin structure and dimansions.Shalva W eil attaipts a re-exanination of the Bane Israel Indian family thrown the prism of transnationalism, scrutinizing the family structures, arrarrprents, and conjugal patterns. Ite inportant change W eil notices arong the Bane lidian families is the cedine of the joint family system and is similar to develcpmants anrng Indian middle class families . These continue to be encfcganrus with marriages betvaen themselves .Parenting in Indian families has recorded retiemble changes in recant ^ears. £s Mila Tui reports in ter study, children in Indian families grew up amidst a network of interactions within and cutside the families. W ith the help of cata from families in New Delhi, TiIi discusses mothers' , fathers' and grandrcthers' beliefs on parenting relating to pregnancy and childbirth, feed and eating, regulating behavior, independence, learning and development, gender , family relationships and finds that the nether is the prine caregiver for the children while others in the family are involved at different levels. However ,Tui concedes that beliefs about parenting are not clearly constructed, consistent and uniform.Tomy Liang and Tony George undertake a novel investigation into men's experiences of depression in relation to the family's role in gender socialization. This study shows that the depressive experiences are associated with their early family experiences typified by emotionality, adversities, coping responses, and parent-child relationships. The participants in this study have clearly indicated how their gendeer role socialization tock place in their own early relationships in the family.Sultan Khan presents the family life of generations of Indians since they first lanced in South Africa in 1860 and various phases of transformations that are connected with the political changes South Africa has gone through. …