The family has been regarded as the cornerstone of society. Traditionally, in India, the basic unit of society was not individual but the joint family. Ever since independence, Indian Society has undergone and continues to undergo great change in every walk of life. Family is becoming progressively weak due to globalization and individualism is growing rapidly. Following are some listed changes-

family in Society

• Family role as a unit of production has been taken by factory system.
• Increasing mobility of younger generation in search of new employment and educational opportunities has weakened the family relations. It has led to disintegration of the joint family. Gradual change in family structure from joint/extended families to nuclear family pattern.
• New forms of family are emerging: for example Single parent households, live-in relationship, female headed households, dual-career family (both husband and wife are working) ,homosexual marriages etc.
• There is increasing feminization of poverty in rural women due to male migration(push and pull factors) changing family structure in rural India.
• Decreased physical socialization among families in urban areas due to rise in technology (online media )and gated communities.

Functions of the family

• The family bonding and ties have started loosening due to physical distance as it rendered impracticable for family members to come together as often as earlier. This affected the earlier idealized notion of 'family' as the caring and nurturing unit for children, the sick and elderly and tradition of joint worship.
• Due to rise of structural differentiation, the family function has been taken by specialized agencies like socialization by cruch schools etc.
• The reproductive role of women has also changed. New ways of reproduction has emerged like surrogacy. In addition reproductive health of female has taken prominence with proper spacing among children reproduction(reducing TFR in India).
• With more women joining the workforce system, the care of aged within families has declined. This factor is leading to alienation of older people. This women participation is result of easing of household works of women due to rise of technological advancements like washing machines, vaccum cleaners etc.
• Finding partners: younger generations have started depending on internet marriage sites like 'Shadi.com, Bharat Matrimony' etc. Family involvement in finding a groom / bride is reducing. However, the tradition of arranged marriages is still relevant in Indian society.
• Traditionally family served the role of providing education to the younger generation. However this role has been taken over by the specialized institutions due to growing division of labour and specialization of the work.
• However, despite changes in the functions of the family, even today there are certain functions still specific to family i) Primary socialization of children, ii) Agency of social control
• Family is nowadays needed to play more important role regarding children education and socialization in terms of provisioning and planning..

Inter-personal relations

• Traditional authority structure has changed. The head of the family- father/grandfather have started losing their authority to the bread winner of the family
• In nuclear families, there has been a change in marital rules and distributions of powers.
• Total subordination of women to men and strict disciplinarian role of father towards children are changing
• Individualism in younger generation is increasing, many of them don’t believe in total surrender of their individual interests to family interests. Example dressing and food habits.
• Children has been become scapegoat for releasing of family anger and pressure due to increasing official commitments like office work. Instance of children overusing online media is evident in contemporary society. Example blue whale challenge, child suicides etc.
• Women role in family decision making has been changed. Instances of equal role in family planning regarding economic decisions has increased.

Conclusion

Although there is marked increase in nuclear family but there are still some factors giving push to traditional joint family system .

• The institution of joint family is gaining prominence with urbanization as urban rising living cost(real estate price rise, inflation) is again giving push to joint family. In addition, joint family is also acting as a security cover in urban areas.
• The bargaining role power of family due to self employment, acting reference(spoil system,approach system) is bounding individual to the kinship group .
• However, due to penetration of technology connectivity with extended kins has improved
• So, the role of family although diversified but family as a institution in India is still present with different forms.