SYSTEMS OF KINSHIP IN INDIA

1. SYSTEMS OF KINSHIP IN INDIA

A. Marriage

1. How same-sex marriages are responsible for population dynamics in India? (2025)
2. Why is the study of marriage important in Sociology? Analyse the implications of changing marriage patterns for Indian society. (2024)
3. Analyse the role of market and modern forces in understanding the changing trends in marriage systems in India. (2023)
4. Illustrate the importance of ‘Kanyadan’ and ‘Kulabadhu’ in changing institutions of marriage and family. (2018)
5. Write short note with a sociological perspective: Challenges to institution of marriage. (2012)
6. Distinguish between: Marriage as sacrament and marriage as contract. (2012)
7. Discuss the influence of socio-cultural factors on age of marriage in India. (2004)
8. Critically assess the role of social legislation in bringing about basic structural changes in marriage, family and property in India. What are the main obstacles in evolving a common Civil Code? (1990)
9. Examine the impact of recent social legislation on Hindu marriage and family with special reference to the status of women. (1985)

B. Family & Household

1. Do you think that family bondings are being affected by the changing kinship patterns in India? Comment. (2024)
2. Analyse household dimensions of family in India. (2020)
3. Clarify the distinction between ‘household’ and ‘family’ and evaluate whether joint families have completely disintegrated. (2017)
4. Bring out the significance of the difference between family and household. (2016)
5. Give some of the important studies relating to the structural changes in the Indian family system. (2015)
6. Write short note with a sociological perspective: Distinction between the concepts of family and household. (2011)
7. Comment on the changes in the household dimensions of family under modern economic reforms. (2009)
8. What has been the impact of globalisation on the cultural aspect(s) of the family? (2009)
9. Discuss the impact of legislation and socioeconomic changes on marriage and family institutions. Are these institutions weakening in contemporary India? (2007)
10. Write short note: Industrialisation and family change in India, with examples. (2006)
11. What factors are responsible for the instability of the Indian family? Will the family survive the present crisis in modern society? (2001)
12. “Nuclear families grow into joint families and then break into nuclear families. The change from nuclear to joint and from joint to nuclear families is fairly frequent in India.” Explain the changes in the structure and functions of joint family in this context. (1995)
13. Write short note: Legislation and socio-economic change in family. (1994)
14. Write short note: Changing pattern of Hindu joint family. (1992)
15. ‘Family jointness still continues unaffected by the differences of religion, caste, urbanization and occupation’. Elucidate. (1991)
16. Trade the impact of urbanisation on the Hindu family. (1984)
17. Write short note: The Indian family in continuity and change. (1986)

C. Kinship, Descent & Alliance

1. What is kinship? Briefly explain G.P. Murdock’s contribution to the study of kinship system. (2025)
2. Define the concepts of ‘Descent’ and ‘Alliance’. Differentiate between North Indian and South Indian Kinship systems with examples. (2023)
3. Discuss different forms of Kinship system in India. (2021)
4. Discuss the conceptual issues about lineage and descent in India. Give suitable illustrations. (2020)
5. Compare the North Indian Kinship System with the South Indian Kinship System. (2017)
6. Broadly compare the kinship system of North and South India. (2015)
7. Write short note with a sociological perspective: Types of kinship systems in India. (2014)
8. Distinguish between: Affinal kin and Consanguineous kin. (2012)
9. Write short note: Regional Variation in Kinship System. (1988)

D. Patriarchy & Gender Relations

1. Is patriarchy a key to understanding different forms of inequalities in Indian society? Elaborate. (2024)
2. Discuss the material basis of patriarchy as an ideological system. (2022)
3. Define patriarchy. Does it have bearings on women’s entitlement in Indian family system? Explain. (2019)
4. Western patriarchy which surrenders feminine principles is the new development project in India. Do you agree with this view? Why? (2018)
5. Write short note with a sociological perspective: Patriarchy as a form of dominance. (2016)
6. What is patriarchy? How does it affect the child socialization pattern in India? (2015)
7. Define Patriarchy. How does it impact the overall entitlement of a girl child in India? (2014)
8. Comment critically on linkages between patriarchy and honour killings. (2010)
9. What is Patriarchy? How have the women’s movements confronted the norms of Patriarchy? (2008)

E. Youth, Generation Gap & Social Change

1. Write short note: Generation Gap. (2005)
2. Outline the social factors related to generation gap. How has the generation gap led to the problem of youth unrest? (1997)
3. Examine the roots of youth unrest. How can we channel youth power for national development? (1987)
4. How far is generational disaffiliation responsible for youth activism in India? Why is the Indian youth failing to respond to the national challenges? (1985)
5. Write short note: Intergenerational Gap. (1988)

F. Family Planning, Sexual Division & Acculturation

1. Comment on the social and cultural determinants of sexual division of labour. (2012)
2. Has nuclear family existed in traditional India? Discuss with reference to the views of I.P. Desai. (2012)
3. Comment on the influence of social and cultural factors on family planning in India. (2009)
4. Write short note: Cultural factors in adoption of family planning in India. (1990)
5. Write short note: Social Implications of Intercaste marriages. (1989)
6. Write short note: Acculturation. (1988)

G. Cultural Pluralism & Unity

1. Examine the concept of ‘Cultural Pluralism’ in the context of India’s Unity in Diversity. (2023)