Changes in the Rural Family of

Mizoram

Submitted by,
C. Lalrindiki,
1st Semester,
Department of Sociology

The rural family of Mizoram has experienced a

number of changes from its traditional structure
and system. Due to urbanization, globalization,
technological advancements and development
schemes laid out by the government, the rural
social life is continuously seeing new changes
in its setting. This inevitably affects the rural
family and its structure. Some of the changes
that can be seen happening in the rural family
in Mizoram are listed in the following:

1) Occupation - The mainly agricultural

mode of occupation is transforming into
other forms of occupation. Parents that
have agriculture as their occupation do not
necessarily expect or encourage their
children to follow their paths.
2) Residence - Traditionally, the rural family
of Mizoram lives as a joint family. This is
due to the agricultural mode of occupation
and its requirement for co-operation as well
as lack of opportunity to find other jobs.
With better roads
and education system, studying and
working in different places is now possible,
so the members are comparatively less.
Practice of moving out after marriage also
happens in the rural family occasionally.

3) Family bond - The bond that holds the

family together as one is becoming weaker
due to increasing heterogenity of
individuals. Education, technology, etc. have
contributed to the difference in opinions,
values, thinking and beliefs.

4) Mindset - Due to globalization and better

transportation, the rural areas are no longer
secluded and the people are able to day-
travel and have immediate access to news
and current affairs.

5) Marital age - Less than twenty years ago,

majority of the rural youths were
encouraged to marry before they turn 30.
Nowadays, although this still happens, the
pressure to find a spouse and have
offsprings is much less due to the growing
importance of careers.