Complete details on the changing

functions of Indian family

Family is a small group formed by father, mother and one or more
children. As the most important primary group it performs several
functions- the essential and the non-essential. But the functions of
family are changing fast today due to the impact of modern
industrialization, spread of education, rapid development of
transportation and communication. The changing functions of family
are as follows:

(1) Change in economic functions

In the traditional family most of the goods for consumption were

made at home. Thus, members of the family were all engaged in the
family industry. It was a unit of production and the centre of
economic activities. But, today in the modern society the importance
of family as an economic unit has been lessened. The members of
the modern family do not work together. They are engaged in
different activities outside the home. However, the old pattern has
not been destroyed; it has been changed.

(2) Change in religious functions

Previously, family was regarded as the centre for the religious

training of the children who were born from their parents with various
religious virtues. In old family various religious practices were carried
on which made the outlook of the children religious. But now-a-days,
family does not observe religious practices as before and has
become secular in outlook. Family prayers are also obsolete.

(3) Change in the educational functions

:
 In old days, the family acted as an important educational agency
where the child was born. The child learnt the first letters under the
guidance of parents. But today, the child learns in a kinder garden.
The modern families have delegated the task of vocational education
to technical institutes and college.

(4) Change in recreational functions

The old family provided recreation to its members. They used to

sing, dance and visit the family relations. Now-a-days families do not
provide recreation to its members. The members seek entertainment
outside their families.

(5) Change in function relating to health

The functions relating to health which were performed in the old

family, have now been transferred to hospitals and clinics. The child
is born today not at home but in the hospital. Instead “The house
where I was born”, the phase “The hospital where I was born”, is more
relevant to modern conditions.

(6) Change in the function of socialization

Today many agencies help family in the process of socialization,

such as hospital, kinder garden schools etc. Now-a-days women go
to work leaving their children at the creches where educated women
take care of them. Thus from the discussion, we are clear that almost
all the functions of family which were found previously have not been
destroyed but changed to a great extent.
: