Rural and Urban Sociology Syllabus PDF

M.A. SOCIOLOGY Second Year COURSE –VI: RURAL AND URBAN SOCIOLOGY SYLLABUS 1. Rural Sociology – Definition, nature and Scope – Important of rural sociology in India – Characteristics of rural society – Rural – Urban differences. 2. Rural Social Institutions – Family, Caste, Economy, Religion, Education, Recreation and Government. 3. Economic system in rural society, Jajmani system – Agricultural marketing – Landholding and indebtedness. 4. Urban Sociology – Definition, Nature and Scope, Urbanisation – Urbanism – Industrilisation. 5. Ecological theories – The Concentric Zone theory – The Sector theory – The Multiple Nucli Theory – Ecological processes – Concentration – Centralisation – Decentralisation – Segregation. 6. Urban Institutions – Family and neighbourhood – Urban class system, Religion and recreation. 7. Urban pathology – Housing slums, Vices, Crime – Town Planning, growth of cities, Urban reconstructions Reference Books 1. Chitambar, J.B. Introductory Rural Sociology. A Synopsis of concepts and principles, New Delhi, Wiley Epstern Limited, 1972. 2. Desai, A.R. Rural Sociology in India, Bombay. The Indian Society of Agricultural Economics, 1959. 3. Dube, S.C. Indian Village, London Routledge and Kegan Paul, 1955. 4. Memoria, C.B. Agricultural Problems of India, Allahabad, Kittab Mahal. 1984. 5. Majumdar, O.M. Caste and Communication in an Indian Village, Bombay. Asian Publishing House, 1965. 6. Srinivas, M. N. The Remembered Village, Delhi: Oxford University Press, 1976. 7. Anderson, Nels and Ishwaran, K. Urban Sociology, Bombay, Asia Publishing House, 1965. 8. Bertel, E. Urban Sociology, New York, Mc Graw Hill Book, Co., 1955. 9. Breese Gerald: Urbanisation in Newly Developing Countries, New Delhi: ANNAMALAI UNIVERSITY Prentice Hall of India Pvt. 1978. 10. Prakash Rao. VLS Urbanisation in India, New Delhi: Concept Publishing Company, 1963. 11. Bergel, Egon, E – Urban Sociology. 12. Anderson and Ishwaran, K – Urban Sociology. 13. Mels Anderson – The Urban Community. 14. Gurgess, W and Wogue – Urban Sociology. 15. Breese Gerald – Urbanisation is Newly Developing Countries. 16. Psakasa RO, VLS – Urbannisation in India ii M.A. SOCIOLOGY Second Year COURSE –VI: RURAL AND URBAN SOCIOLOGY CONTENTS Lesson Lesson Name Page No No 1. Introduction to Rural Sociology 1 2. Sociological Importance Of Village Communities In India 9 3. Characteristics of Rural Community 15 4. Differences Between Rural and Urban Communities 18 5. Rural Family System 24 6. Caste in Rural Areas 36 7. Rural Economy 41 8. Religion in Rural Society 47 9. Rural Education 53 10. Rural Recreation 68 11. Rural Politics 71 12. The Rural Jajmani System 75 13. Rural Agricultural Marketing 82 14. Rural Indebtedness 90 15. Land Holding Agrrarian Relations 93 16. Rural Development and Rural Reconstruction 97 17. Land Reforms in India 109 18. Integrated Rural Development Programme 113 19. Panchayat Raj 119 20. Rural Co-Operative Societies 125 21. Nationalization of Banks 129 22. Ngo’s and Rural Development 134 23. Urban Sociology 138 24. 25. ANNAMALAI UNIVERSITY Urban Sociological Theories Ecological Patterns of Urban Growth: Spatial Aspects 150 166 26. Growth and Distribution Patterns: Ecological Processes 174 27. Urban Institutions 182 28. Urban Organisation 197 29. Urban Pathology 210 30. Town Planning, Growth of Cities and Urban Reconstruction 231 1 UNIT – I LESSON – 1 INTRODUCTION TO RURAL SOCIOLOGY Structure 1.0 Objectives 1.1 Introduction 1.2 Definition of Rural Sociology 1.3 Nature of Rural Sociology 1.4 Scope of Rural Sociology 1.4.1 Rural Problems 1.4.2 Rural Social Life 1.4.3 Rural Social Organization 1.4.4 Rural Institutions 1.4.5 Rural Community 1.4.6 Rural Social Structure 1.4.7 Rural Urban Contrast 1.4.8 Rural Planning and Reconstruction 1.4.9 Aims of Rural Sociology 1.5 Importance of Rural Sociology 1.6 Importance of Rural Sociology in India 1.7 Summary 1.8 key words 1.9 suggested questions 1.0 OBJECTIVES By reading this lesson we are able to  Know the nature and scope of rural sociology  and the importance of rural sociology 1.1 INTRODUCTION Rural sociology is the sociology of rural society. In other words, it is the branch of sociology which studies the rural society. Rural society is generally agrarian ANNAMALAI UNIVERSITY society. Therefore, rural sociology is the study of agrarian society. Rural society has also been called peasant society in a certain sense. Thus, rural sociology includes the study of peasant society. The modes of community life have led the sociologists to classify it into rural and urban community life. Of these, rural sociology is concerned with rural community life. The social structure, social processes, social dynamics and social control in rural society is in contrast to urban society. Therefore, an independent branch of sociology has been developed for the study of rural society. Thus rural sociology is a special sociology. Sociology is the scientific study of social relationships. It is systematic study. Society is the web of social 2 relationships. Rural sociology is thus, the study of the web of rural social relationships. Rural society is found in the villages. Therefore rural sociology is the study of villages. It is concerned with village ecology, village life and social relationships in the village. It includes the study of social organization, structure, functions and processes in the village. In fact it is a systematic study of every aspect of village life. It is a sociological analysis of rural community, rural social change, rural social problems, community development projects and rural welfare. Its subject matter includes rural morphology, rural social structure rural social institutions, rural problems and disorganization and rural reconstruction. Just as general sociology is concerned with the scientific study of general human society similarly rural sociology is concerned with the study of rural society. It is based upon ruralism. Ruralism is at the heart of rural sociology. Thus, rural sociology studies all the aspects and elements of ruralism. 1.2 DEFINITION OF RURAL SOCIOLOGY The above discussion of the meaning of rural sociology will be further clarified by a perusal of some of the more important definitions of rural sociology advanced by eminent Western and Indian rural sociologists. These are as follows: Dwight-Anderson, the ultimate justification of all study of rural sociology as a science is in its use in programmes of rural social organization or the betterment of rural life. House, in its beginning rural sociology, like much of the rest of what passed for sociology in the United States of America consisted largely of ethical evaluation and practical proposals for the improvement of rural life. A. R. Desai, The prime objective of rural sociology should be to make a scientific, systematic and comprehensive study of the rural social organization, of its structure, functions, and objective tendencies of development and on the basis of such study, to discover the laws of its development. D. Sanderson, Rural sociology is the sociology of life in the rural environment. F. S. Chapin, The sociology of rural life is a study of rural population, rural social organization, and the rural social processes operative in rural society. T. L. Smith, Such sociological facts and principles as are derived from the ANNAMALAI UNIVERSITY study of rural social relationships may be referred to as rural sociology. Of the above mentioned definitions, the definition offered by A. R. Desai is the most comprehensive. It includes the theoretical as well as the applied aspects of rural sociology. It points out the aim of scientific rural sociology. It gives a proper perspective towards rural social life. Rural sociology clarifies the laws of rural social life and points out the necessary conditions of progress in it. Keeping this in view, A. R Desai has written, Rural Sociology is the science of rural society. The laws of the structure and development of rural society in general can aid us in discovering the special laws governing a particular rural society.. Rural sociology is the science 3 of the laws of the development of rural society. Thus rural sociology is the mirror of rural social life. It provides a complete and detailed media for the knowledge of different aspects of rural life, its problems, its culture, its religion, its economic and political life. 1.3 NATURE OF RURAL SOCIOLOGY As is clear by the definitions given above, rural sociology has a scientific nature. Its utility however, lies in the utilization of its principles for rural reform and development. In other words, the facts and principles discovered by rural sociology should be utilized in planning rural reconstruction. Thus rural sociology is both a science as well as an art. It involves the cooperation of so many social and physical sciences such as economics, psychology, botany, zoology etc. Research into the causes of any social condition requires the probing into not only the social causes but also economic, geographical and culture causes. It may be questioned here whether rural sociology is a synthetic structure of findings of different social sciences about rural society or it is an independent science. Of these the later view is more popular. If the former view is accepted rural sociology becomes not a science but an art or technology. It becomes a mere applied science. On the other hand, if it discovers laws of rural social life, it is an independent science inspite of taking help from so many other sciences. Even if it helps in social reform and development, it is not by actually doing it by providing theoretical basis for it. Science is the theoretical study of a problem while its application is an art or technology. In a certain sense, rural sociology may be called an art or technology. In the key words of sander sol the art of dealing with problems of rural life is necessarily a technology involving the application of many sciences and disciplines just as the technology of bridge building involves not mechanics, but metallurgy, geology, meteorology and other disciplines, for the determination of the method of constructing a particular bridge. Every problem in a village requires the collaboration of more than one science. In the ultimate analysis, rural sociology is first a science and then an art. 1.4 SCOPE OF RURAL SOCIOLOGY Rural sociology is comparatively a new branch of sociology. It is a science with its own characteristics, stand-point and methods. Therefore, its scope should be clarified to distinguish it from other social sciences. In the words of N. L. Sims, The field of rural sociology is the study of association among people living by ANNAMALAI UNIVERSITY immediately dependent upon agriculture. Open country and village groupings and groups behaviour are its concern. According to Lowry Nelson, The subject matter of rural sociology is the description and analysis of progress of various groups as they exist in the rural environment. Thus the scope of rural sociology includes the study of all the social groups in the village. In the words of Burtrand and Associates, In its broadest definition rural sociology is the study of human relationships in rural environment. Thus the scope of rural sociology includes all the social relationships in rural environment. An analysis of the scope of rural sociology leads to the study of the following: 4 1.4.1 Rural Problems The subject matter of rural sociology includes the problems of rural life, such as social, economic, political and cultural problems. These problems are studied in isolation as well as in relation to each other. In the former sense each problem is analyzed separately and effort is made to arrive at some conclusions for its remedy. From the second view point all the rural problems are taken as different aspects of one single problem. Sometimes this viewpoint leads to confusion since the problems get entangled into each other. Therefore, in the integral stand-point towards rural social problems cannot be solved unless studied separately such as the rural problems of poverty, illiteracy, disease, low standard of life, inadequate housing, lack of recreation, traditionalism, religious superstitions etc. 1.4.2 Rural Social Life Smith has rightly called rural sociology as the sociology of rural life. It aims at the study of rural social life. Rural social life includes rural people, rural population, rural environment, rural standard of living, rural vocations and rural economic conditions. Thus the study of rural social life involves the observation of different social forms in rural environment. 1.4.3 Rural Social Organization The most important function of rural sociology is to provide knowledge concerning rural social organization. Rural social organization includes rural family, rural marriage, rural social stratification, rural education, rural administrative system, rural religious and cultural institutions and rural division of labour etc. Thus rural sociology studies both enacted can developed rural social organization. 1.4.4 Rural Institutions Rural sociology includes the study of rural institutions. Institutions are procedures of activities which are developed to fulfill a certain aim. Such institutions may be economic, political, social, religious and cultural. Rural sociology studies all these types of institutions in the context of rural society. 1.4.5 Rural Community In the words of Sanderson, A Rural community consists of the social interaction of the people and their institutions in the local area in which they live in dispersed farmsteads and in a hamlet or village which forms the centre of their ANNAMALAI UNIVERSITY common activities. Thus, rural community includes all the general activities of rural people. Rural sociology studies the characteristics, forms and activities of rural community. 1.4.6 Rural Social Structure Social structure is the most important basis of social life. Therefore, rural structure is the most important element in the scope of rural sociology. Thus the rural sociologists concentrate on the analysis and the study of rural social structure. 5 1.4.7 Rural Urban Contrast As has been already pointed out, the village and city present two contrasting modes of community life. Rural sociology studies this rural urban contrast. In other words, it studies the fundamental distinctions between rural and urban culture and also their relationship. Thus it is also a comparative study. Rural society and social institutions can be more easily understood in contrast to urban society and social institutions. 1.4.8 Rural Planning and Reconstruction Rural planning and reconstruction is particularly important in such societies as the Indian society which are mostly constituted by villages. In contrast to urban planning and reconstruction, rural planning and reconstruction has its own principles and application. These form important subject matter of rural sociology. To quote A. R. Desai, Rural sociology will help the rural workers to make a correct diagnosis of its ills and will further enable him to evolve a correct prescription or programme to overcome these ills. If the diagnosis of the ills is erroneous or imperfect the prescription itself will be unscientific and therefore futile. 1.4.9 Aims of Rural Sociology Ever since the attention of social sciences was attracted towards rural social problems, it was realized that a scientific study of their nature and remedies is necessary. This was a significant reason for the birth of rural sociology. Thus, rural sociology aims at the study of laws and principles of rural social life which may be utilized for solving rural social problems and realizing the ideal of rural reconstruction and development. A. R. Desai has rightly pointed out, That the prime objective of rural sociology should make a scientific, systematic and comprehensive study of the rural social organization, of its structure, function and objective tendencies of development, and on the basis of such a study, to discover the laws of its development, since very science, social or natural has for its aim the discovery of the hitherto hidden laws of development of domain of nature or society, the basic task of rural sociology, they unanimously declare is to discover the laws of development of rural society. The rural sociologists is interested in rural reform and reconstruction not only as a social scientists but also as a social being, as a citizen. Therefore, rural sociology cannot be isolated from the practical aim of rural social welfare and reconstruction. However, as the nature of a science is generally theoretical, it ANNAMALAI UNIVERSITY should be remembered that the primary aim of the rural sociologists is the discovery of the laws and principles of rural social life. As a social scientist he is concerned with the discovery of principles and laws concerning rural social while as a useful member of society, he may be equally interested in the application of his knowledge for rural social amelioration. Thus while rural sociology aims at the theoretical study of rural social life, it also aims at eliminating rural social evils and establishing a new progressive society in the villages. Today, due to the influence of industrial revolution and fast urbanization, the rural life is lagging behind the general social life in progressive countries. The rural sociologists aim at eliminating 6 this cultural lag and providing theoretical basis for bringing the rural society in level with the general society in a country. 1.5 IMPORTANCE OF RURAL SOCIOLOGY The above discussion concerning the aims of rural sociology also clarifies its importance in modern societies. It may be remembered that it is particularly important in those societies which are primarily rural such as Indian society. Historically speaking, rural sociology was born due to the need of intensive study of different aspect of rural social life so that it may be properly developed. Therefore, the importance of rural sociology lies in rural reconstruction, rural welfare and the solution of rural problems. In most of the countries today urbanization and industrialization are fast increasing and influencing the rural social structure, traditions, mores and social institutions. This has created a dangerous situation for maintaining characteristics of rural life. The importance of rural sociology in this situation, has considerably increased. Therefore, its study is being encouraged by public as well as private agencies and universities and research institutions everywhere. This is particularly true about developing nations such as India and other nations in Asia and Africa. 1.6 IMPORTANCE OF RURAL SOCIOLOGY IN INDIA India is a country of villages. Seventy six per cent of the Indian population still lives in the villages. Even the urban population is constituted by the people migrating from the villages to the towns. By and by many villages grew into towns. The villages are the well-spring of Indian culture. India’s economy is fundamentally agricultural and not industrial. A major portion of the citizens of the Indian Republic are residents of villages. Thus it is impossible to achieve a national awakening without redeeming the rural population from its obscurity. In this way, from every point of view economic, cultural, political the future of India very much depends upon villages. It is necessary to understand and to act according to the laws prevailing in the village in order to achieve progress of the villages. Only then can the improvement and development be permanent. Only then will the rural population be able to treat the development plans as their own and offer their co-operation. This necessitates a special study of the rural society. In order to effect a desirable change in the rural institutions and communities, the laws of their development and change should be discovered because any change introduced against their laws will be an imposition ANNAMALAI UNIVERSITY which will not be able to attain permanency. Without understanding the special features, qualities and defects of the rural religion and culture the village level workers will not be successful in effecting rural reconstruction. Thus rural sociology is of no little importance in India. In the theoretical background of the plans for the country’s progress, the study of rural society is essential. Such a study will reveal the laws which govern the development, change and control etc. of society, and these laws will have to be kept in view if the plans for the villages are to achieve any measure of success. Today the Indian government 7 is desirous of developing villages in all their various aspects. The government officials who are engaged in this work must be equipped with a knowledge of rural sociology in order to ensure success. The real India lives in villages. Traditionalism, simplicity, poverty, illness, illiteracy, backwardness and other problems of Indian villages attracted the attention of sensitive western scholars during British rule in India and some literature was published on this subject. However, research in the direction of rural sociology started only after the country achieved independence. Rural reconstruction and welfare was given prominent place in the five year plans resulting into the growth of community projects, cooperative movements and village panchayats. The Indian constitution has declared the aim of secular welfare state which will safeguard the fundamental rights of citizens. This requires the elimination of the problems of unemployment, illiteracy, poverty and illness etc. To achieve this purpose these problems were intensively studied in the rural context. It goes without saying that in a nation consisting 76 % rural population, the study of rural sociology is very important. In different parts of the country, however, villages exhibit local differences which should be studied in details. The five year plans, the fast development in education and means of transport and communication together with contact with the urban societies have resulted in disorganization as well as progress. The guidance of the rural sociologies is needed to give direction to the social change, and to establish the plans of reconstruction and welfare on sound footing. The problems of poverty, unemployment and illiteracy, the biggest problems in India are primarily rural problems. These problems cannot be tackled unless studies and surveys about them are conducted in the villages. Such surveys have resulted in the formulation of so many plans of rural economic development in five year plans. The efforts to advance agriculture, animal husbandry, cottage industries and others in the rural areas require the help of rural sociologists for introducing new tools and new techniques. Therefore, today the study of rural sociology is an important branch of syllabi of the teaching of sociology in the colleges and universities in India. Besides these academicians, thousands of government officers in different departments are working upon different aspects of rural sociology. Details concerning the development of rural sociology in India may ANNAMALAI UNIVERSITY be acquired by a survey of the studies concerning rural society in India. 1.7 SUMMARY Rural sociology is the sociology of rural society which found in villages. It includes rural morphology, rural social structure, rural social institutions, rural problems and disorganisation and rural reconstruction. Rural sociology is both a science as well as an art. It is an independent science. Every problem in a village requires the collaboration of more than one science. It scope should be clarified to distinguish it from other social sciences. The scope of rural sociology includes all the relationships in rural environment. An analysis of the scope of rural sociology 8 leads to the study of rural problems, rural social life, rural social originality, rural institutions, rural community, rural social structure, rural contrast, rural planning and reconstruction etc. The importance of rural sociology lies in rural reconstruction, rural welfare and the solution of rural welfare and the solution of rural problems. Its study is be encouraged in universities, research institutes and everywhere. 1.8 KEY WORDS Amelioration, legging, ruralism, agrarian, well-spring, redeeming 1.9 SUGGESTED QUESTIONS 1. Discuss about the scope of rural sociology. 2. Write the importance and nature of rural sociology 3. What are the aims of rural sociology.  ANNAMALAI UNIVERSITY 9 LESSON – 2 SOCIOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE OF VILLAGE COMMUNITIES IN INDIA Structure 2.0 Objectives 2.1 Introduction 2.2 Major features sociological importance of the village community 2.2.1 Unit of Society 2.2.2 Intensity of Primary and Familial Relations 2.2.3 Simple and Economical Life 2.2.4 Preservers of the Ancient Culture of the Community 2.2.5 Ideal Democracy 2.3 Characteristics of Village Community 2.3.1 Community 2.3.2 Primary Institution 2.3.3 Religious 2.3.4 Importance of Neighbourhood 2.3.5 Joint Families 2.3.6 Group Feeling 2.3.7 Simple Life 2.4 Changes in Village Community 2.5 Summary 2.6 Key words 2.7 Suggested questions 2.0 OBJECTIVES Through this lesson we can know about the main  Features of sociological importance of village community  characteristics of village community and  change in village community 2.1 INTRODUCTION In society the structure of the society is basis for any development and ANNAMALAI UNIVERSITY essential for earning of the society. So our society is broadly classified in to two categories, they are rural society and other is urban society. In spite of the low income, less mobility, less education and other factors, the life of the village community continue to be in a view of satisfaction, because of its very scrupulosity. In this chapter the important features the life study of rural community is broadly studied. The government of India is also spending crores of rupees on new plans of rural construction towards the improvement of the villages. 10 2.2 MAJOR FEATURES SOCIOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE OF THE VILLAGE COMMUNITY In Indian society the major features of the sociological importance of the village community are given below: 2.2.1 Unit of Society In India there are more than half a million villages. According to Max Weber, the German scholar, India has always been a country of villages 76 per cent of the Indian population lives in villages. India is predominantly an agricultural country. Thus in every respect the future of India depends upon the villages. 2.2.2 Intensity of Primary and Familial Relations The relations between the primary groups and families in the villages are intimate. The family fulfils the needs of its members in all aspect of their life and exercises control over them. It is through the family that the new members are initially introduced to the customs, conventions and culture of the society. In this way the village people hold family as an institution having revered status and the result is that individuality does not develop properly in the members of a family. Due to limited contact with the external world, their viewpoint is narrow and they are aggressively opposed to violent change. In the village the relations among the people are direct and intimate so that often the entire village is organized like a family. 2.2.3 Simple and Economical Life The life of the villagers is simple and economical. They have very limited needs. The spirit of ambition and competition is generally absent and they are not constantly devoured by a consuming desire for progress as is the case with their counterparts. 2.2.4 Preservers of the Ancient Culture of the Community From the sogiological viewpoint also the villages are important because they preserve the ancient culture of society. India is an agricultural country. The life of the villagers depends considerably upon natural forces due to their occupation, which is agriculture, and thus they worship natural forces like the sun, rain etc. They are some times observed resorting to magic in order to gain the assistance of these forces. The villages in India still exhibit faith in the doctrine of karma, a fundamental principle in Indian culture and lead a simple and natural life dominated by sacrifice, theistic tendency and the importance of religion in every ANNAMALAI UNIVERSITY aspect of life. 2.2.5 Ideal Democracy In ancient times the Indian village was an ideal democracy. Life in each village is self-dependent. Most of the people are agriculturists, and besides agriculture the farmer is quite capable of handling the work generally done by a carpenter, blacksmith, mason, veterinary surgeon, woodcutter and sometimes even a weaver. In some developed villages these occupations are carried on by different people but whatever the conditions, all the needs of the villages, are generally fulfilled in the village itself. In the village even today the sense of neighbourhood is not ignored 11 and is given considerable importance. The community of ideals and customs and social forbearance is even today an important feature of the village. In its long history, the Indian society retained its strength and organization as long as the villages were well knit and well-organized. From the medieval ages till now the condition of the village has continuously deteriorated. But now, after the country has become independent, the work of social reconstruction is being implemented with the village as the unit and the basis. Thus, from the sociological point of view, the villages are more important than the towns. Thus the importance attributed to the villages is far greater than the importance which may be attributed to the towns of India. It is for this reason that thinkers like Mahatma Gandhi accorded a central place to rural reconstruction in the overall plan for the reconstruction of the entire country. The Ram Rajya of Mahatma Gandhi is based on the upliftment of the village. The Indian Government have also accepted the importance of the development of rural industries and rural reconstruction. Social and economic reconstruction of India’s rural communities is being implemented through the establishment of co-operative societies and community development plans. India is a democracy, hence the future of the country depends upon the villages because the major portion of the population lives in the villages and the country cannot hope to achieve any progress without removing the social and economic backwardness of the villages. Social and economic reconstruction of the country can be achieved only by a social and economic reconstruction of the villages. 2.3 CHARACTERISTICS OF VILLAGE COMMUNITY Indian village is grouped small number of its people. It is humbly the intimate relation of its people with nature. Although it is incorrect to assert that agriculture is the sole occupation of the villages it is the major occupation in villages everywhere. In the words of T. L. Smith, Agriculture and the collecting enterprises are the bases of the rural economy, farmer and country man are almost synonymous terms. Besides these characteristics, the people of the village also exhibit a homogeneity of population due to which they do not frequently come into conflict with each other and maintain mutual intimacy and harmony. Bases on these characteristics of villages, the features peculiar to rural life are as follows: 2.3.1 Community The villagers satisfy all their needs in the village. They have a sense of unity ANNAMALAI UNIVERSITY and a feeling of amiability towards each other. In this way the village is a community because its people have community consciousness. 2.3.2 Primary Institution The development of the villages is influenced considerably by the life of the village. In this way village is a primary institution. 2.3.3 Religious Faith in religion and duties is found in the life of the village. The major occupation of the countryman is agriculture in pursuing which man has to struggle 12 constantly with nature. Very often nature wastes the result of very hard labour on his part and the farmer cannot comprehend its mystery. Hence, he acquires an attitude of fear and awe towards natural forces, starts worshipping them and even tries to gain command over them by magic. In this way faith in religion and sometimes even in magic is found in the life of the villagers. 2.3.4 Importance of Neighbourhood Not many people live in village and thus they assist each other as and when any occasion arises in their struggle of life. They are generally in need of one another’s assistance. Secondly, there is not enough individuality and speed in the life of the village to disable one from paying attention to another. Hence, neighbourhood is of great importance in a village and neighbours have intimate relation with each other. 2.3.5 Joint Families Another characteristic of the life of the village is the joint family system. In the village, the family has strict control over the individual. Generally, the father is the head and representative of the family and is also invested with the duty of maintaining discipline among the members. His orders are obeyed by all the members of family. In marriage, festivals, business etc, it is he who manages the affairs of the family. All the members of the family share the burden of the family occupation. The men plough the field, the women harvest the crops and the children grace the cattle. In this way, working together, the villagers maintain a sense of co-operation among themselves. Much attention is directed towards the preservation of the family honour and utmost care is taken it observe and maintain the traditions of the family. 2.3.6 Group Feeling In the life of the villagers group feeling occupies an important place. They respect the judgement and obey the orders of their elders and the panchayat. Society, caste and panchayat have control over the individual. People are afraid of being publicly criticized or condemned. 2.3.7 Simple Life Hence, phenomena like theft, misconduct, chicanery etc. are not found to recur very often in the villages. The villagers have limited means and they do not license ostentation. In the villages people who go about in a manner calculated to ANNAMALAI UNIVERSITY attract attention are not looked upon with respect. Even in the materialistic age of today the generally accepted ideal in the village is a simple life and high thinking. In the village every individual endeavours to attain and observe the ideals of his family and caste. The villagers are simple and plain people. They are incapable of making a false pretence at cultured behaviour and gaudiness, nor are they capable of boasting. They have sympathy for man and want to meet each other on a natural life in the lap of nature. In their life there is a determined pattern and method for every thing so that they are spared the labour of continually pondering over them. Certain normals governing marriage and business etc. , are irrevocably fixed. Hence, there is no occasion for mental conflict. Trade in the village is not carried 13 out on a large scale and consequently there is not much specialization of occupations. The small needs of life are fulfilled by the farmers themselves. Class conflict is generally lacking. Rich and poor, small and big, high and low, all live in an atmosphere of natural co-operation and accept the discipline of the village. The level of morality in the village is high. Any girl in the village is generally treated as a sister or a daughter by most of the male members of the village, by the very virtue of her being a member of the village. In this way, life in village is more natural and orderly. There are not many occasions for conflict between father and son, master and servant, creditor and debtor, husband and wife, mother-in-law and daughter-in-law etc. In spite of the fact that the income of the villagers is rather low, their life continues in a vein of satisfaction because of its very simplicity. 2.4 CHANGES IN VILLAGE COMMUNITY But the elements of village life which have been delineated above, can be found to exist only in those villages which have remained unaffected by the influence of the towns. Otherwise, as a general rule, these elements are vanishing from the village life. The community consciousness in village life is steadily decreasing. The control of the caste panchayats is almost non-existent. The villagers who work in the towns also become addicted to irresponsible and sedentary habits and when they exhibit the same habits in their villages the other simple minded adolescents are also corrupted. The village living in the towns is even more adept at the use of cosmetics and on her return to the village she too spreads this habit among her sisters in the village. Now-a-days the villagers are using aids to beauty in a larger measure than before and the level of health in the villages is fast deteriorating because milk and its byproducts from the villagers are sold in the towns and secondly, the money thus earned is being wasted on useless things. Though education is spreading in the villages, it has turned back to the old ideal of simple living and high thinking. Even though they may appear plain in their dress and way of living due to poverty and simple due to insensitivity, they are not the least scrupulous in adulterating the commodities which they sell. The convention of hospitality is no longer observed. Sex relations are marked by lack of responsibility. The joint family is fast disintegrating. The number of thefts, abortions, murders, assaults, litigations etc. is also increasing. The old ANNAMALAI UNIVERSITY customs are being violated. The bonds of caste and society have been disregarded. Individualism, materialism and rationalism are increasing. Hence, the only elements which now characterize life are agriculture which is the major occupation of the villagers, small population, lack of transport facilities, lack of scientific comforts, mud houses, unmetalled roads and natural environment etc. Actually the villagers everywhere are at present passing through a transitional period. The old relations, bonds and ties have fallen into disfavour and they cannot be reinstated in the original form. Even now the villages can be given an equally simple if not simpler, plainer and higher life by improving the conditions in these 14 villages, through the establishment of panchayats, spread of education, economic reform in agriculture etc. Rural agricultural countries in the world, this matter has received considerable attention and much progress has been made in Russia and China. It is a matter of great satisfaction that the Indian government is not oblivious of this. Crores of rupees are being spent on new plans of rural reconstruction directed towards the improvement of life in villages. As a result of these endeavours the village will once again become as well organized and integrated as before. 2.4 SUMMARY The major features of the sociological importance of the village community are 1. Unit of Society: 76% of Indian population lives in villages to the future of India depends upon the villages.. 2. Intensity of primary and famital relations: Intimate relationship occurs between the primary and families in the villages. Entire village is organised like a family. 3. Simple and economical life: The life of villages is simple and economical. They have very limited needs. 4. Preserves of the Ancient culture of the community: Villages preserve the ancient culture of society. They exhibit faith in the doctrine of karma a fundamental principle in Indian Culture and lead a simple and natural life dominated by sacrifice, theistic tendency and the importance of religion in every aspect of life. 5. Ideal democracy: Life in each village is self dependent. Besides agriculture, the farmer is capable of hands everywork done by carpenter, weaver, mason etc. The Ram Rajya of Mahatma Gandhi is based on the upliftment of the village. Social and economic reconstruction of the country can be achieved only by a social and economic reconstruction of the villages. There are some important characteristics of village community. Community, primary institution, Religious importance of neighbourhood, joint families, group feeling simple life etc are the peculiar feature of village community 2.5 KEY WORD Condemned – Chicanery – availability – endeavour – boastiny – materialistic – homogeneity. ANNAMALAI UNIVERSITY 2.6 SUGGESTED QUESTION 1. Write in detail the main features of the sociological importance of the village community. 2. Write amount the characteristics of the village community 3. What is the change in village community by the influence of towns?  15 LESSON – 3 CHARACTERISTICS OF RURAL COMMUNITY Structure 3.0 Objectives 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Physical Characteristics 3.3 Demographic Characteristics 3.4 Social Characteristics 3.5 Summary 3.6 Key words 3.7 Suggested questions 3.0 OBJECTIVES By reading this lesson we can know about the characteristics of Rural Community. 3.1 INTRODUCTION Broadly speaking there are two types of human habitations. They are (i) villages and (ii) towns and cities. The first one is called rural communities and the second one is called urban communities. Villages are the oldest human habitations in any society. About 50% of world population still lives in rural communities or villages. They play an important role in the social, economic and religious life of our rural people. Man’s settled life started with the development of agricultural and village life. Villages are also known as rural communities. Villages were the oldest form of human habitation in any society. They continue to play a major role in several Asian and African countries. About 50% of the world’s population lives in rural communities or villages. India is a land of villages. About 73% or 73 crores of India’s population lives in villages. There are 5. 58 lakh villages in India. Villages play a major role in India’s socio-economic and cultural life. The village community is one of the three basic pillars of Indian society. The caste and the joint family are the other two pillars. The village communities are small in size. The traditional social institutions like caste, joint family, kinship and religion play a major role in rural life. The customs, values and religion have a strong ANNAMALAI UNIVERSITY influence in rural areas. All villagers live as members of one family. They depend upon each other through co-operation and functional interdependence or division of labour. In each village we find several functional and service castes like the priest, carpenter, weaver, cobbler, cultivator or farmer, accountant, sweeper, agricultural worker etc. All these castes support each other and work for the welfare of all the villagers. They produce all the goods and services required by the villagers like food grains, oil, cloth, vegetables, milk agricultural tools etc. The Indian villages are famous as self supporting little republics. Mackim Marriott describes selves and almost independent of each other. 16 However, these village communities have undergone several changes during the last 5 decades after independence. Several factors like agriculture technology, green revolution, land reforms, reservation of seats in panchayatraj institutions, assemblies and parliament, disappearance of rural cottage and handloom industries, industrialization and urbanization, spread of secular and modern values, new occupations etc. , have brought several changes in our rural communities. The self-sufficient nature of our traditional villages is no longer seen today. Every village now depends on other villages as well as towns and cities for several day to day needs. 3.2 PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS Both in area and population the rural communities are small in size. Compared to South India, several villages in North India are very small. About 75% of our villages have a population of less than 500 each. Further they have a low density of population. There is predominance of natural environment in villages. The rural people live amidst natural surroundings like agricultural fields, gardens, rivers, ponds, birds and animals etc. The agricultural operations like transplantation, and harvesting are based on seasons such as rainy season, winter season etc. 3.3 DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS About 68% of our rural people depend upon agriculture for work and livelihood. There is little variation in the distribution of males and females in rural areas. Marriages are celebrated early in villages. The average age at marriage for both males and females is less in rural areas. The percentage of children, aged and non-workers dependent on earning members is high in rural areas. This is due to seasonal nature of agriculture, unemployment and underemployment, poverty and illiteracy in rural areas. The percentage of literates is very less in rural areas especially in backward states like Orissa, Bihar, M. P., U. P. etc. 3.4 SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS The traditional social institutions like caste, joint family, kinship, the jajmani system and religion play a dominant role in rural communities. They still perform several functions and fulfil various needs of rural people. ANNAMALAI UNIVERSITY The social relations among individuals and groups in the village are direct, face to face and primary. We find reciprocity or sense of give and take among all the castes in the village. All the castes cooperate with each other in times of crisis like floods, famine, drought etc. In behaviour, dress, attitudes, customs and values there is similarity or homogeneity among the rural people. Social changes are very few in villages. The rural people are rigid and orthodox in their attitudes and patterns of living. They generally oppose innovation and 17 change. They lack social mobility. We find the same old status between the father, grand father and the sons i. e. , 3 generations. They do not aspire for higher socio- economic status and privileges. They are satisfied with the present condition. We may find little horizontal mobility in a family or a caste or sub-caste or a kin group in a village. We rarely find vertical mobility among these groups. For example inspite of planned development, anti-poverty schemes and green revolution in agriculture we do not find much improvement in the socio-economic status of our rural poor during the last 5 decades. Even today 35% of our rural people live below the underprivileged sections like the S. C., S. T., and other weaker sections are still worse in several villages. There is conformity between individuals and customs, values and norms in villages. The caste, joint family and kinship act as powerful agencies of social control. We find the rate of crime, delinquency, prostitution, divorce etc., is less in rural areas. Religion plays an important role in the lives of rural people. They participate in a number of rituals and ceremonies during festivals like Dasara, Ganesh chaturdhi and local jatharas like Nookalamma jathara, Poleramma jathara, Pydithalli jathara etc. They are less scientific and secular in their outlook. 3.5 SUMMARY Villages also known as rural communities villages were the oldest from of human habitation in any society. Both in area and population the rural communities are small in size, compared to South India, North India are very small. There people live in surroundings like agricultural fields, gardens, rivers, ponds, birds and animals etc. The agricultural operations like transplantation and harvesting are based on seasons such as rainy season, writer season etc. There is little variation in distribution of males and females in rural areas, the percentage of literates is very less. The traditional social institutions like caste, joint family, kinship, the Jajmani and religion play a dominant role in rural communit for social control. 3.6 KEY WORDS Kinship, urbanization, industrilisation, transplantation, Jajmani, reciprocity, orthodox. 3.7 SUGGESTED QUESTIONS 2. ANNAMALAI UNIVERSITY 1. Write in detail about the characteristics of rural community. Explain the different types of characteristics.  18 LESSON – 4 DIFFERENCES BETWEEN RURAL AND URBAN COMMUNITIES Structure 4.0 Objectives 4.1 Introduction 4.2 Physical Characteristics 4.2.1 Size of the Community and Density of Population 4.2.2 Environment 4.3 Demographic Characteristics 4.3.1 Sex ratio and Marital Status 4.3.2 Occupation: Occupational Specialization, Work Participation Rate (WPR) and Dependency Ratio 4.3.3 Literacy Rate 4.4 Social Characteristics 4.4.1 Homogeneity / Heterogeneity 4.4.2 Social Structure and Social Institutions 4.4.3 Social Groups and Social Relations 4.4.4 Secular Values 4.4.5 Mass Communication 4.4.6 Social Change and Social Mobility 4.4.7 Tradition / Modernity 4.4.8 Social Stratification and Social Inequalities 4.4.9 Social Anomie and Social Disorganization 4.5 Summary 4.6 Key words 4.7 Suggested questions 4.0 OBJECTIVES By reading this lesson one can be able to understand the difference between rural and urban community. 4.1 INTRODUCTION Broadly, there are two types of human habitations. They are, (i) Rural ANNAMALAI UNIVERSITY Communities comprising hamlets and villages and (ii) Urban communities comprising towns and cities. Village was the earliest human habitation. Even today 75% of world population lives in villages. According to 1991 census about 74% of India’s population lives in rural communities. Though we find cities in ancient Greece, Mesopotamia, Egypt and Indus valley civilization, the modern cities were the product of 17th and 18th century Industrial Revolution in England, Western and European Countries. They were developed in Asia and Africa during the 19th and 20th centuries through industrialization. 19 In developed countries like the U. S. A and Britain more than 80% of their population lives in towns and cities. Whereas in developing countries like India, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, South Africa etc. , about 25% of their population lives in Urban Communities. For example, there are several differences in the Social Organization of a North Indian Village and a South Indian Village. The zamindari villages are different from the ryotwari villages. Social relations in zamindari villages are more authoritatrian and exploitative. Whereas in the ryotwari villages they are democratic and less exploitative. Similiarly the South Indian Villages are more populour than the North Indian Villages, similarly all the Urban Communities are not one and the same. There are differences in Social Organization between a small town with a population of less than 20, 000 and a city with population of 1 lakh and above. Even among the large cities there are variations in social life between the metropolitan city with a population of 10 lakhs and above and a mega city with a population of 50 lakhs and above. However, it is possible to find certain common features among the Rural Communities and treat them as one category. Similarly it is possible to find some common features among the Urban Communities and treat them as a separate category. We find that inspite of certain common features the Rural and Urban communities represent two different social worlds. Just as the Rural Social life develops in rural setting, the Urban Social life develops in urban setting. The rural and urban communities differ with regard to certain physical demographic and social characteristics. 4.2 PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS 4.2.1 Size of the Community and Density of Population Both in population and area the Rural Communities are small. They have a low density of population. More than 75% of our villages have a population of less than 500 each. Communities are very large in size. According to 1991 census the average population of a town is of 12. 08 million in 1991. The Urban Communities have a high density of population. This vastness in population and area and high density lead to several problems like poverty, unemployment, crime and delinquency, prostitution, congestion and overcrowding, housing sanitation, slums transport in cities. ANNAMALAI UNIVERSITY 4.2.2 Environment The Rural Communities have a natural environment. The villages are surrounded by agricultural fields, gardens, lakes, canals, etc. We find the birds and animals living side by side with the rural people. Many activities in rural areas like transplantation or harvesting are in tune with the seasons such as rainy season, winter, autumn etc. Whereas the Urban Community is influenced by man-made artificial environment. We find factories Smoke Chimneys, Sky Scrapers, Cinema theatre, 20 flyover bridges, traffic signals, recreation clubs etc. The Urban environment especially the slum areas is polluted. 4.3 DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS 4.3.1 Sex ratio and Marital Status In Rural Communities the variation in the distribution of males and females is less. The age at marriage for both males and females is less. The percentage of married couples are more in village. According to 1981 census 50% of rural females in India are married. In Urban areas the sex ratio is low. There are more males than females. Marriages are late. The age at marriage is higher. This shows that the Urban people either postpone or avoid marriage. According to 1981 census only 28% of our urban females are married. The percentage of married couples is less in towns and cities. This is because due to poverty and shortage of houses a large number of industrial workers leave their wives in villages. They stay alone in urban slums. 4.3.2 Occupation: Occupational Specialization, Work Participation Rate (WPR) and Dependency Ratio In rural areas there is predominance of agriculture and agro-based occupations like dairying, poultry farming, horticulture, bee-keeping, ginning etc. , There is less occupational specialization in rural areas. Due to seasonal nature of agriculture the agricultural workers do not find work for more than 180 days in a year. As such the work participation rate i. e. , the number of workers per 1000 population is less in villages. So also the dependency ratio of children, aged and non-workers on the earning members is more in villages. Whereas in Urban areas there is predominance of non-agricultural occupation. More than 75% of urban population is engaged in industry, trade and commerce, transport and services. A large number of them work as engineer, mechanics, foreman, fitters, industrial workers, drivers, conductors, accountants, doctors, nurses, small traders etc. There is high degree of specialization and division of labour in urban areas. We find a number of occupational specialists in industries, medical, banking and other professional services. The work participation rate is high in urban areas. This shows that the proportion of workers compared to non- workers is greater in towns and cities. This is because there are more employment opportunities in towns and cities for wage labourers, skilled workers, professional ANNAMALAI UNIVERSITY and service personnel. The dependency ratio of children, aged and non-workers is less in towns and cities. This is because a large number of urban people find work in industry, trade and commerce and service sector. 4.3.3 Literacy Rate The percentage of literates is less in rural areas. Whereas it is high in urban areas. The urban people are more literate and skilled. This is because there are many facilities for general education and vocational training in a number of industrial trades in towns and cities. According to 1991 census the urban literacy 21 rate is 52%. The availability of specialists in the fields of science and technology, trade and commerce, professional services in also high in towns and cities. 4.4 SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS 4.4.1 Homogeneity / Heterogeneity Sociology and culturally the rural people are homogenous. They speak the same language, follow the same religion participate in the same rituals and ceremonies. We find uniformity in their dress, food and work habits. They get up at the same time and go to bed at the same time. Whereas the urban people are socially and culturally heterogeneous. They belong to different religions, races, languages, occupation and cultures. They participate in diverse ceremonies and rituals. This religious diversity is a source of strength as well as weakness in urban life. On one side it promotes tolerance and social integration among diverse religions and cultural groups. Sometimes it leads to conflicts and tensions among diverse religious and cultural groups. Ex- communal riots in Hyderabad, Ahmadabad, Meerut, Lucknow etc. 4.4.2 Social Structure and Social Institutions In rural communities the traditional social institution like caste, joint family, kinship and religion yield powerful influence on individuals and groups. Whereas in towns and cities the influence of the above traditional institutions is diminished. Caste, joint family and kinship obligations are diluted. In place of these traditional institutions several new institutions like nuclear family, professional associations, women’s associations, trade unions, voluntary organizations like Red cross, Rotary and Lions clubs, youth clubs etc., help the individuals in times of crisis. 4.4.3 Social Groups and Social Relations There is predominance of primary groups and primary relations in rural community. The joint family plays a major role in controlling the individuals behaviour. The social relations among the individuals and groups are direct face to face, informal, personal, emotional and permanent. Where in Urban Community these is predominance of secondary groups and secondary relations. Social relations among urban people tend to be formal, indirect, impersonal, less emotional and temporary. They are of mere touch and go type. ANNAMALAI UNIVERSITY 4.4.4 Secular Values Rural people are orthodox and deeply religious in their out book. They are less scientific and less rational in their approach to day-to-day problems. However, on some occasions they also entertain narrow communal and sectarian prejudices. This leads to communal riots and tensions among different religious and cultural groups in towns and cities. 22 4.4.5 Mass Communication The use of mass media like radio, T. V. telephone, cinema, newspaper etc. , is less in rural areas. Whereas in urban areas the use of the above mass media is high. Urban people are mass media conscious. 4.4.6 Social Change and Social Mobility The rural people are conservative. They are found by age old traditional customs and values. They generally oppose social changes. They are less mobile and less dynamic through their socio-economic status, we find only horizontal change in the case of some individuals or families. It means mobility within the same caste, class or kinship. Whereas the urban people are highly mobile and dynamic. They welcome social change. They are flexible in their attitudes, beliefs and ways of life. There are several opportunities in towns and cities for individuals and groups to improve their socio-economic status. We find both horizontal and vertical mobility i.e., across one’s caste, class or kinship among individuals and groups in Urban Communities. We find several people belonging to lower class move up in the social ladder through hard work and skill improvement. 4.4.7 Tradition / Modernity The rural people are traditional in their, attitudes and beliefs. We find the same old patterns of dress, thatched huts with mud walls, bullock carts, wooden ploughs drawn by ox etc., In a number of villages especially the North Indian Villages people still use earthen pots for cooking, wear course khadi dress with dhoti, kutha and Gandhi Cap. Whereas there is innovation and modernity in towns and cities. The urban people are up-to-date. They switch on to latest fashions in dress, art, and architecture, interior communication etc. 4.4.8 Social Stratification and Social Inequalities In rural areas the status of individuals and groups is based on ascription i. e. , based on one’s birth. It is very difficult for the rural people to change their socio- economic status. We find rigid and closed system of social stratification in villages. Social inequalities are comparatively less in villages. The gap between a big land lord and the poor peasant is less. Both lead a simple life. They wear the same dress, ANNAMALAI UNIVERSITY eat the same food, live in thatched houses, work in the same fields. The participate in the same rituals and ceremonies. Whereas in the urban community the status of individuals and groups is mostly based on achievement i. e. , based on one’s own qualifications, talent and hard work. There are several opportunities in towns and cities for individuals and groups to change their social status. In urban communities social stratification and social inequalities are very glaring. There is wide gap between the top industrialist and the industrial wage workers. The rich lead a life a luxury and comfort. Whereas the poor slum dwellers live under conditions of misery, want and disease. 23 4.4.9 Social Anomie and Social Disorganization In rural communities various social norms like customs and values successfully keep the individuals and groups under control. The family, the caste the kin group and the village community use maximum control over individuals and groups and see that their behaviour is in conformity with the social norms and legal codes. Any deviant behaviour is strictly dealt with through powerful social sanctions. Whereas in urban communities social norms like customs, moral values and laws fail to control the individuals and groups. There is large scale violation of social norms in urban areas. This leads to social anomie or noemlessness. Under these circumstances we find a high rate of individual, family and community disorganization like crime and delinquency, prostitution, alcoholism, corruption etc., in towns and cities. In spite of these differences both the rural and urban communities share certain common features. For example in every Indian city there are certain areas like slums and shanty towns which exhibit rural ways of life. The migrant workers in these areas retain their traditional rural customs and ways of life. They perform the traditional ceremonials and rituals. The urban people participate in these ceremonies as a matter of customary obligation and social identify with the group, institution like caste, joining family, kinship and religion is still strong and powerful. They continue to function with some modifications in the urban scene. Similarly there are several villages in India especially in south India where we find urbanism or urban way of life has made deep in roads into rural life. They are scientific and secular in several ways. Today science and technology have penetrated into rural areas, in agriculture, rural housing, rural kitchens, rural health and sanitation, transport and communication education institutions etc. 4.5 SUMMARY There are many differences between rural and urban communities. Both communities are differ in physical, demographic, social characteristics. Population density, occupation, social relations are the important and fundamental distinctions of rural and urban communities. 4.6 KEY WORDS Density – Sex ratio – Literacy rate – occupation – secular value – Social Anomie ANNAMALAI UNIVERSITY 4.7 SUGGESTED QUESTIONS 1. Explain the differences between the rural and urban communities. 2. Depending on social characteristics differentiate rural and urban communities.  24 UNIT – II LESSON – 5 RURAL FAMILY SYSTEM Structure 5.0 Objectives 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Characteristics of Rural Family 5.2.1 Joint Family 5.2.2 High Status of Women 5.2.3 Religion and Spirituality 5.2.4 Hospitality 5.2.5 Homogeneity 5.2.6 Economic Cooperation 5.2.7 Discipline and Mutual Dependence 5.2.8 Family Honour 5.2.9 Influence of Tradition 5.2.10 Authority of Father 5.2.11 Familiars Social Control 5.2.12 Ancestor Worship 5.2.13 Asocial Unit 5.3 Relationships in Rural Family 5.3.1 Head of Rural Family 5.3.2 Husband – Wife Relations 5.3.3 Mother- in-law and Daughter-in-law Relationship 5.3.4 Father-in-law and Daughter-in-law Relationship 5.3.5 Parent-Child Relationships 5.3.6 Husband’s Younger Brother and his Wife Relationships 5.3.7 The Conditions of Widows 5.3.8 Illicit Martial Relations 5.4 Joint Family ANNAMALAI UNIVERSITY 5.4.1 Karve 5.4.2 Jolly 5.4.1 I. P Desai 5.5 Advantages of Joint Family 5.5.1 Economic Advantages 5.5.2 Protection of Members 5.5.3 Means of Recreation 5.5.4 Development of Good Qualities 25 5.5.5 Co-operation and Economy 5.5.6 Socialism in Wealth 5.6 Disadvantages of Joint Family 5.6.1 Hindrance in the Development of Personality 5.6.2 Low Status of Women 5.6.3 Strife 5.6.4 Laziness 5.6.5 Uncontrolled Reproduction 5.6.6 Poverty 5.6.7 Other Defects 5.7 Influence of New Social Legislations 5.7.1 Hindu Married Women’s Rights to Separate Residence and Maintenance Act 5.7.2 Hindu Marriage Act 5.7.3 Hindu Succession Act 5.8 Summary 5.9 Key words 5.10 suggested questions 5.0 OBJECTIVES By this lesson we are able to know the characteristics of rural family, advantages of joint family and disadvantages of joint family. 5.1 INTRODUCTION The rural family system is broadly classified into three main categories. They are follows. (1) Joint family, (2) Nuclear family, (3) Excited family. The important features of joint family is common shelter, common kitchen and common property which also unique characteristics focused in the family system only in India. Another important to be noted is that social security for aged persons in the family is very much appreciated in the rural family system in India. 5.2 CHARACTERISTICS OF RURAL FAMILY The important characteristics of rural family are as follows: 5.2.1 Joint Family The most important feature of the rural family in India is the practice of joint ANNAMALAI UNIVERSITY family system. In a joint family are included husband wife, uncles, aunts, sons and nephews etc. In a Joint family, the authority rests in the oldest male member in the family. The property is deemed to be the common possession of all members of the family. The head of the family runs a common kitchen and every member shares common board and lodging. 5.2.2 High Status of Women In Indian villages women get a place of pride. she is highly regarded. According to the law-giver Manu, Gods reside where women are worshiped and where women are not worshiped, failure hunts all activity. In rural society, women work along 26 with men in fields. Excepting the women of high castes who do not stir out of the four walls of the home , women share with men all work. 5.2.3 Religion and Spirituality The third party main characteristic of rural family is its religious and spiritual basis. The rural family is bound by religious principles and its aim is spiritual instead of being materlist. On account of the religio-spritual orientation or rural family in villages more emphasis is laid on duties than rights. This is why the relations between family members are very cordial and respectful. In a rural family everyone performs jobs dutifully and there is discipline, harmony and peace among family members. 5.2.4 Hospitality Another important feature of the rural family is its attitude towards the guest. August is always is always welcome. In particular, Hindus regard the guest as a divine visitor. A Hindu family will go without means but would not permit a guest to go unentertained. The high ideal of hospitality found in rural India is unique and unparalleled anywhere in the world. 5.2.5 Homogeneity The relationship among the family members is far more cordial and harmonious in villages than in towns. We find rural family a homogeneous unit 5.2.6 Economic Cooperation Compared with the urban families we find far greater economic cooperation in the rural families. In peasant families each member participates in the production of wealth and every member is suitably looked after. The children look after the cattles; women harvest the crops and men folk do hard agricultural labour. They do the job of tilling the fields and protecting them from wild animals. 5.2.7 Discipline and Mutual Dependence In comparison to urban families we find much more discipline and spirit of mutual give and take in the rural families. All members of the family, generally, obey dutifully the order of the headman. The marriages are as a rule settled by the parents. 5.2.8 Family Honour Compared with urban families, rural families are very begrudging of their honour. In them group feeling is more dominant than the personal feeling. Ahurt to family is considered to be the personal honour. Therefore, no family member is ANNAMALAI UNIVERSITY allowed to do anything which may be disgraceful and thus compromise the honour of the family. 5.2.9 Influence of Tradition In village, traditions are given a place of pride and are zealously guarded. No one can ordinarily think of breaking a tradition. The more ancient a tradition, a greater is its hold on the rural mind. Compared to urban populace, the rural people are much less affected by technological development and the social change. The relationship within the family is determined by tradition. 27 5.2.10 Authority of Father The system of family in rural India is patriarchal family the seat of authority and honour rests in the patriarch, the father. Accordingly, the families in rural India are dominated by fathers. No matter how old children are they usually respect the father and dare not defy his command. Compared to cities, young persons pay much more respect to their elders in villages. 5.2.11 Familiars Social Control In rural society, control of the society on its members is exercised through the medium of the family. Family is the social unit in the rural society. It is the family which puts social responsibility is the status of the family, which in turn, determines the status of the individual. It is the family which gets social laws respected and obeyed by the members. 5.2.12 Ancestor Worship In rural India the ancestor worship is very common. The deities worshipped are usually such as to form family constellation. For example, Shiva or Shankar is the husband of parvathi and the father of ganesh. 5.2.13 Asocial Unit The rural family is a religious, economic and political unit of the rural society. No moral, social or political rural are workable if these attach to the basis for family structure. For example, in order to maintain the sexual morality in the village, the villagers regard the women of the village as daughters and sisters. Thus the moral rules in the rural in the rural society are based on the family system. The salient features of rural society outlined above are to be found more or less in all parts of rural India, though there may be some regional differences which are quite natural in a vast country like India. The features given above are, however, not stable or static. They are liable to undergo change due to factors like urbanization, industrialization spread of education and technological changes particularly the development of fast means of communication. None –the less the above features are very much in evidence particularly if we take a comparative view of rural and urban societies. 5.3 RELATIONSHIPS IN RURAL FAMILY The central patterns of relationships in rural family are as follows: ANNAMALAI UNIVERSITY 5.3.1 Head of Rural Family In rural society, the eldest member of the family is as a rule the head of the family. In family matters he is an absolute other properties are held in his name. But in certain family the family property does not stand in the name of eldest brother only but is in the joint ownership of all the brothers. In certain family the status of women is higher than that of men. However, such families are looked down upon in the village. 28 5.3.2 Husband – Wife Relations Generally, man enjoys the superiority over the women. accordingly, husband is superior to his wife and commands her. But this does not mean that the wife is cruelly. In Hidnu families the wife is consider as embodiment of the goodness of health, Lakshmi. She has full say in family affairs. In the middle class families usually men and women enjoy equal rights. In poor families both men and women work at home and outside. The system of purdah is to be found in high caste homes. However , in all rural families some women observe purdah in the presence of some persons. For example, wife of a person would observe purdah in the presence of his father, grandfather, uncles and elder brothers etc. , but would not do so in the presence of his youngster brother. In low castes purdah is more or less not observed. In rural homes husbands and wives do not speak the names of each other. Whenever there is a necessity of beckoning each other by speaking names the husband would call his wife by innuendos like are! Or mother of my son etc. The wife would say ‘father of B’ etc. Wherever women earn some money this is not necessarily turned over to their husbands; some times they hand the money and sometimes they keep whole or part of the money with themselves. In villages women usually eat after the whole family has eaten. 5.3.3 Mother- in-law and Daughter-in-law Relationship In old times the authority of mother –in-law over the daughter-in law was absolute and unquestioned; but now this has become more formal than real. Though even today daughter-in-law regularly touches the feet of her mother-in-law every morning as a symbol of the formal acceptance of the authority of the mother- in-law, in reality daughters-in-law no longer tremble in fear in the presence of their mother-in-law tries to present herself as an equal and demands her share in the family affairs. This inevitably leads to tension and ill will in the family. As a matter of fact smooth cordial and harmonious relations between mother-in-law and daughter –in-law are things of past. Though there are still stray instances of cruelly by the mother-in-law, the daughter-in-law has on the whole, emancipated herself from the authoritarian clutches of the mother-in-law. 5.3.4 Father-in-law and Daughter-in-law Relationship In rural families daughter-in-law observe prudish in the presence of her father-in-law and regularly touches his feet as a sign of respect. Usually a ANNAMALAI UNIVERSITY daughter-in-law avoids the presence of her father-in-law but there are stray instances of illicit sex relation between father –in-law and daughter-in-law avoids the presence of her father-in-law but there are stray instances of illicit sex relation between father-in-law and daughter-in-law. 5.3.5 Parent-Child Relationships In rural families the relations between parents and children are on the whole cordial. The parents spare no effort in bringing up their children. The sons are given a place of pride and family control over them is loose. They are allowed full 29 freedom of development. As a result of this freedom sometimes children tend to develop bad habits of smoking and loafing about. However, as a matter of fact, smoking by young persons is not taken seriously in villages. The conduct of girls, on the other hand, is very strictly controlled. The girls help their mothers in household chores and also take cooked food for brothers and fathers to the fields. They are married young. The sons help fathers in fields. Thus the relations between parents and children in villages are, on the whole, quite cordial. However, there are some instances of family feuds and litigation. Once in a while there are murders even. The Indian village still remains a group of joint families in which everything is more or less peaceable. But due to a number of social, economic and historical cause the joint family is showing slow but sure disintegration. However, as yet the importance of family in rural society is unique. 5.3.6 Husband’s Younger Brother and his Wife Relationships The relationship between a wife and her younger brother-in-law are very intimate and informal. In intimacy these are second only to man and wife relationship. The younger brother of man has easy access to his wife and the wife does not observe purdah in his presence. Though sex relations as a rule are confined to man and his wife, it is not altogether uncommon to find the wife having sex relation with her younger brother-in-law. Many rural sociologists have observed that in the majority of extra-marital relations, the man in question is the younger brother of the husband. Though precise statistics are not available there are cases where after the demise of the husband the woman marries the younger brother of her deceased husband. The relations between the elder brother-in-law and the woman are on the other hand, very much like the relations between her and the father-in-law. 5.3.7 The Conditions of Widows In Indian society husband is regarded very highly. By religion and tradition he is held in very high esteem. On the contrary, the widows have a miserable status and their general condition is pitiable. She is not allowed to decorate herself or participate in any auspicious activity. She is considered to have been accursed by god. People wish you all the best to avoid infection of her curse by avoiding her. ANNAMALAI UNIVERSITY 5.3.8 Illicit Martial Relations In rural India the vow of marriage is taken seriously and marriage is a sacrament instead of being a contract. The Indian Society is non-permissive insofar as sex morality is relations do occur in villages. After the demise of the wife and at time even when she is alive, some men keep another woman. Even without ceremony of marriage the kept woman is considered to be his wife. Sometimes the kept woman belongs to another caste. For example, a Brahmin keeps Thakur woman and a thakur keeps a brahmin woman. In villages keeping a woman as a wife without actually marrying by purchasing the wife excists. 30 As has been already pointed out, rural family is joint family. It would be, therefore, relevant to discuss the institution of joint family in more details. 5.4 JOINT FAMILY Joint family is a group of kinds of several generations, ruled by a head, in which there is joint residence, hearth and property and whose members are bound with each other by mutual obligations. The chief characteristics of the joint family are common residence, common kitchen, joint property, common worship, rule of the pater familiar and consciousness of mutual obligation among family members. This will be clear from the following definitions of joint family: 5.4.1 Karve A joint family is a group of people who generally live under one roof, who hold property in common and who participate in common worship and are related to each other as some particular type of kindred. 5.4.2 Jolly Not only parents and children, brothers and step-brothers live on the common property, but it may sometimes include ascendants, descendents and collaterals upto many generations. 5.4.1 I. P Desai We call that household a joint family which has greater generation depth (i. e. , there or more)than the nuclear family and the members of which are related to one another by property, income and mutual rights and obligations. 5.5 ADVANTAGES OF JOINT FAMILY The chief advantages of joint family are as follows: 5.5.1 Economic Advantages The joint family system has proved to be a very advantages institution from the economic view point. It prevents property from being divided. Land is protected from extreme sub-division and fragmentation. When divided into many small piece land becomes an uneconomic holding. Besides keeping the land intact, the joint agriculturist family the male members do such work as furrowing Sowingh and irrigation. Women assists at the harvest. Children graze the cattle and collect fuel and manure. In this way, the co-operation of all the members helps to save money which would otherwise be paid to a labourer. In the rural area, ANNAMALAI UNIVERSITY joint families are such in which men , women and children collaborate. Even among the middle and upper classes the family can obtain capital and reliable assistants from the joint family for establishing and expanding a business. 5.5.2 Protection of Members Praising the joint family system Jawaharlal Nehru had said that the system of joint family is an insurance for the family members which has carried a guarantee for those who are mentally and physically weak. In times of crises the joint family can provide assistance to the children, the women, the old, the insane, the widows and the helpless. The joint family is capable of providing much assistance at such 31 emergencies as pregency, sickness, etc. If a person dies, his wife and children are looked after properly in the joint family. In the joint family. In the joint family a place is provide for all members to which they can retreat at all times and their honour, wealth and prosperity are protected collectively. 5.5.3 Means of Recreation The joint family is one of the best means of recreation. A stimulating atmosphere is created by the cumulative effect of the stammered talking of the children, love between brother and sister, mother’s love, the reproach of the elder and the fun and frolic of the other family members. In this way, the joint family also naturally takes over the role of a club. 5.5.4 Development of Good Qualities In this way the joint family system makes possible the ideal development of the good qualities of man. In the care of elders the undesirable and antisocial tendencies of the young are checked, they are prevented from straying from their path and they learn to exercise self-control. In the joint family, young men and women learn the lesson of generosity, patience, service, co-operation and obedience. Absence of sacrifice replaces selfishness learn to obey family control and to respect those older than themselves. 5.5.5 Co-operation and Economy The joint family fosters co-operation and economy to an extent achieved by few, if any, other institutions. A sense of cultural unity and an associational feeling exists among the members. There can be much economy in expenditure. The joint family can be ideal centre of co-operation and mutual aid. 5.5.6 Socialism in Wealth According to sir Henry Maine the joint family is like a corporation the trustee of which is the father, He is Known as Karta. About him D. N. Majumdar has written, ”The Karta of the joint or extended family has the right to make the decisions for his family, he is the working head, he is judge and the jury, he decides family quarrels, he is the political head as every family has a place and is represented by the head of the family in the social ceremonial and community activities, and in the local Gram Panchayat. “According to Jather and Bery, everyone in a joint family earns according to his capabilities but obtains according ANNAMALAI UNIVERSITY to his needs and in this way to a large extent achieves the socialistic ideal: from each according to his ability, to each according to his needs. 5.6 DISADVANTAGES OF JOINT FAMILY The following are the main disadvantages of the joint family system: 5.6.1 Hindrance in the Development of Personality The most glaring defect of the joint family system is the hindrance in the development of the personalities of its members. In the joint the head is the absolute ruler. He is usually the oldest members of the family who looks upon and treats men and women as children even when they attain adulthood. In this way 32 there is very little opportunity for the fostering of the individual autonomy or self- dependence. 5.6.2 Low Status of Women The bad condition of women is also a major defect in its disintegration. In the join family, the daughter-in-law does not get an opportunity to develop her personality. She looks after her children. She hardly ever meets her husband during the day and even he returns late at night he gratifies his sexual desire with her and falls asleep. The invariable presence of other family members ashames the brides, they do not receive love from any source. There is no limit to the injustice done by the mother-in-law and the other relatives do everything to add to that suffering. In some cases this oppression is so inhuman and unbearable that women become fed up and commit suicide. Any natural love between the husband and wife or between the mother and children is prevented from blossoming by these artificial circumstances. 5.6.3 Strife If the daughters-in-law contradict this oppression or if their husbands choose to speak in their favour, the house becomes strife born and a centre of conflict. When the daughters-in-law talk bract to their mother-in-law they are abused and even beaten by their husbands who are provoked by their mother. Hatred and jealousy between the wives of brothers can lead to a conflict between brothers which can assume dangerous proportions. There is continuous strife and fighting over the doing children. Much of the time of the adult members is consumed in the solution of petty problems. 5.6.4 Laziness Due to common responsibility many people take their minds off their work and become completely lazy. In this state, the condition of those who literally break their backs and those who are very lazy is more or less the same. Hence laziness is encouraged. When a person can eat comfortably without exerting himself he is unlikely to indulge in any strenuous activity. And the wives of the hard working people tell them to desist from such toil as they do not benefit from it. Mostly, in the joint family it happens that some people have to exhaust themselves while others lead a life of utter lethargy. There is no dearth of such people in big and rich ANNAMALAI UNIVERSITY joint families whose entire routine in life consists of eating, sleeping and begetting children. 5.6.5 Uncontrolled Reproduction In a joint family the responsibility for the upbringing and education, etc., of children is shared. Thus, no individual considers it necessary to lay stress on controlling procreating. In the family no distinction in the status of the family members is made on the basis of their respective earnings and the corresponding number of children. The offspring of the our members will be treated on the same footings as others irrespective of the high level of his earnings and the fewer 33 children. In this way in a joining family no direct benefits accrues to any individual by family planning or by earning more. Consequently, the enthusiasm of the people in this directions loses much of its fervour and intensity, and they become lazy and procreate more. 5.6.6 Poverty As a consequence of almost daily strife, the bad condition of women, absolute rule, lack of responsibility and blind procreation, the economic condition of the joint family becomes very unenviable. If the conflict is strong enough to bring about division of land and property, the condition becomes even worse. The property of the family, being jointly owned, is sometimes allowed to go waste and it is gradually lost through constant neglect. 5.6.7 Other Defects In addition to the afore-mentioned major shortcomings the joint family system is further blemished by many other minor defects. Family strife leads to litigation. Customs and traditions are strictly adhered to in the joint family and superstition regions supreme because the guiding hand is that of the oldest member. Due to the strict administration of the old men the younger people do not gain self-confidence and self-dependence, and they fail to adopt new currents of though. Thus the disadvantages of the joint family far outweigh the advantages which accrue from it and have negative them. Consequently, the joint family is in fact becoming disorganized. It is impossible to save the institution of joint family from disorganization, though its advantages can, with effort be reinstituted in novel form in the small families. 5.7 INFLUENCE OF NEW SOCIAL LEGISLATIONS In India joint family has been very much influenced by certain new social legislations. These have some direct bearing on the characteristics features of joint family, viz., joint habitation, joint kitchen, joint property and the authority of the head. The following are the major ones among these social legislations: 5.7.1 Hindu Married Women’s Rights to Separate Residence and Maintenance Act This legislation was enacted in 1946. According to it, under specific conditions a wife can demand alimony while living separately from her husband. 5.7.2 Hindu Marriage Act According to para 13 of this Act, any husband and wife, who have been ANNAMALAI UNIVERSITY married either before or after the enactment of this legislation can under specific conditions apply to the court for divorce. This law was enacted in 1955. 5.7.3 Hindu Succession Act This Act became law in 1956. According to it, the daughter was given equal rights to the property of the father and the women also got the right to dispose of, mortgage and use their property in any manner they pleased. The foregoing Acts of legislation have influenced the solidarity of the joint family. As a consequence of the Hindu Marriage Act the number of divorces is 34 increasing. Previously, the women silently suffered many injustices and outrages. In joint families the status of women was extremely low. Sometimes the mother-in- law behaved inhumanly towards them. Their husbands also treated them as they wished and yet the joint family did not disintegrate. Now having got the support of the law, women have initiated a strong revolt against this oppression which is leading to a disorganization of the joint family. With the enactment of laws providing for their separate maintenance and residence, the women no longer need to submit to oppression in the joint family due to financial considerations. Upon being maltreated they can now leave their husbands, live separately and demand money from them in order to meet their expenditure. This provision has dealt a severe blow to the joint families. One feature of the joint family is that of joint property. The Hindu Succession Act has influence it adversely. Now that women have the right to sell their property and the girls too share equally in their property of their father it is almost impossible to maintain the family property conjointly. Hence, the results is that the joint families are being disorganized at a rapid rate. Modern legislation has put an end to male ascendancy. This too has profoundly influenced the organization of the joint family. The daughters-in-law in the joint family from other families. Thus it is only natural that they should resent having to sacrifice their own pleasure for the well- being of the family. Previously, they had to suffer silently the doing of their husbands. Having got equal rights in almost all respects as a result of modern legislation, the women whose husbands earn more can now force their husbands to break off from the joint family and set up an independent establishment. The parents-in-law also realize their power. The husbands too cannot behave indiscriminately with them. They also have the same rights over the children as their husbands. Due to all these causes even the slightest misunderstanding results in a situation where separation from the family is the only course open to the couple as they cannot coexist with their relatives. Actually, the causes of the disorganization of the joint family are not constitutional but mainly social. But there is no doubting the fact that the present legislation has also played a part in its disorganization. ANNAMALAI UNIVERSITY The future of joint family, according to some thinkers, is not absolutely dark. According to K. M. Kapadia, Hindu sentiments are even today in favour of joint family. The destruction of joint family by legislation is, therefore, rightly considered to be non-Hindu because it ignores Hindu family history and sentiments. This view however, does not hold water about joint family system, its disadvantages are amply clear and its continuance is neither feasible or desirable. The rural people should, however, save the nuclear family from disorganization. This will involve maintaining most of the advantages of joint family in nuclear family. 35 5.8 SUMMARY The rural family in India is the practice of joint family system. Its attitude towards the guest is as a divine visitor. Economically they will support each other and eldest member of family rule the family. They will maintain blood relationship and marital relations. There are advantages as well as disadvantages of maintaining the joint family. Joint family is influenced by new social legislations such as joint habitation, joint kitchen, joint property and authority of head etc. 5.9 KEY WORDS Hospitality – harmonious – influence – legislation. 5.10 SUGGESTED QUESTIONS 1. Write about rural family system and its characteristics. 2. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of joint family system. 3. Explain the different relationship in rural family. 4. What is meant by joint fam

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