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International Journal of
Population Studies Multigenerational evaluation of globalization

declining death rates leading to population growth (Stage 2), Furthermore, women’s increased participation in the
declining birth rates (Stage 3), low rates of both birth and workforce due to increased economic opportunities has
death (Stage 4), and finally fertility rates transitioning to changed traditional roles and expectations for men and
below-replacement levels (Stage 5). Although this model women (Hondagneu-Sotelo, 2003). Previously, women
originated in Western countries and presents difficulties were expected to handle household duties and nurture
when applied to countries like India, which have different children, while men were responsible for financial matters
sociocultural and economic circumstances (Chesnais, and family decision-making. In the past, men were the sole
1992), it can be observed that India is transitioning from income earners in families. Today, however, both men and
Stage 2 to Stage 3 (Purohit, 2023). The second demographic women work to support their families, sharing household
transition (SDT) theory, jointly formulated by Lesthaeghe responsibilities (Biernat & Wortmen, 1991; Oláh et al.,
& Van de Kaa in 1986, distinguished itself from the first 2021). Even in regions like Southeast Asia and the Middle
DT by shifting the focus from smaller family size to fertility East, where traditional family roles were stringent, family
postponement. The basic features of SDT include high arrangements where men take part in household duties
divorce rates and a rise in cohabitation, a shift in family are becoming more common as women’s responsibilities
relations from “king-child with parents” to “king-couple continue to change (Moghadam, 2003).
with child,” and a shift from preventive contraception to Family dynamics have also changed considerably in
self-fulfilling contraception (Van de Kaa, 1987, 2003). This India. For instance, egalitarianism in families is increasing,
shift reflects a transition in societal norms from altruistic where every family member has a say in the decision-
to individualistic values, with an increased emphasis on making process. Before the globalization era, Indian
female emancipation and individual autonomy in family families were patriarchal, with older male family members
formation behavior (Lesthaeghe, 1995). However, SDT making significant decisions and younger ones expected to
has disregarded the potent force of globalization, which demonstrate filial piety (Newbigin, 2010). However, with
has critical implications for understanding the changes the erosion of gender roles and the emergence of women’s
in family dynamics and fertility rates observed in recent individuality and autonomy, there are signs of a shift in
decades (Mills & Blossfeld, 2013). In light of this, the family dynamics (Patole, 2018). Women’s attainment of
present study aims to understand the transitions in family financial independence has significantly contributed to
dynamics from the perspective of globalization.
their current status as equal partners in family decision-
1.3. Changes in family relationships making (Kabeer, 1999).
The impact of globalization is not exclusive to large-scale Another aspect of change concerns the parent-child
phenomena such as language, media, and technology; it relationship. Cultural adaptation through migration and
also influences the smallest unit of society – the family – exposure to global media has caused changes in parenting
affecting its interpersonal dynamics, marital systems, and practices and parent-child relationship dynamics.
career choices (Trask, 2011). Individuals and families have Changing attitudes toward child-rearing includes shifting
moved from rural to urban areas and from developing cultural norms around child discipline, education, and
to developed countries in search of better opportunities gender roles. Technological advancements like the internet
and resources. This migration has resulted in changes and social media have transformed communication and
in traditional family structures and roles (Parreñas, interactions between parents and children (Livingstone,
2005; Trask, 2011), conventional intergenerational 2009). For example, increased internet and social
dynamics, and challenges in maintaining close bonds media use by parents and children has led to decreased
and transmitting cultural values across generations communication and quality time spent together at home
(Parreñas, 2005). India’s earlier joint family system (Wong et al., 2020).
has now considerably reduced, with the emergence of
nuclear families on the rise. According to data provided 1.4. Changes in the marital system
by Kantar (a global media and data consulting company), From a global perspective, significant demographic
the proportion of nuclear families in India increased changes concerning marriage have emerged. Education
from 37% in 2008 to 50% in 2022 (Ambwani, 2023). In has led to individuals having more autonomy in mate
Southern India, nuclear households constitute over 69%, selection (Banerji, 2008) and has contributed to delays in
compared to 50% in 2008. These data indicate a shift marriage (Das & Rout, 2023). New educational norms that
from traditional kinship networks and extended families encourage attaining education and skills before marriage
to more individualistic nuclear family models (Coontz, have raised the age of marriage for young people (Bhadra,
2006). 2000). In addition, fertility rates are decreasing globally as

Volume 11 Issue 2 (2025) 77 https://doi.org/10.36922/ijps.2404