Page 89 - IJPS-11-2

International Journal of
Population Studies Multigenerational evaluation of globalization

depend on their family or husband for money. As decisions were taken solely by the patriarch or older men,
a result, their participation in the workforce has with no input from other members, such as women or
increased. Women who have a job feel more secure children, even if the decisions directly impacted them.
regarding the future.” (ID_06/64/M) However, this authoritarian decision-making process is
gradually losing traction, clearing the way for collective
“The overall increase in the education level of people decision-making. All three generations observed that
has been a big contributor in allowing women to
have more access to education and jobs. Moreover, children now have more expressive freedom compared
the current society is actively promoting to increase to the past when they were not allowed to raise their own
women’s presence in said areas further.” (ID_22/23/M) opinions to their parents.
“In olden times, the patriarch of the family made all
“As both husband and wife in a family are working the decisions on his own. No one could protest against
members, it increases the income of the family. This leads that decision. The rest of the members were expected to
to having a better standard of living.” (ID_28/22/F)
obey it. However, the oldest person in the family now
3.5. Families becoming egalitarian discusses issues with the rest of the members and only
decides based on the majority view.” (ID_04/77/M)
An egalitarian family is one in which both partners hold
equal power. This theme illustrates how Indian families “In today’s families, children can freely express their
are evolving to become more democratic and egalitarian. opinions.” (ID_07/77/M)
Given the strong patriarchal foundation of Indian society, “The children have become more eager to share their
such a drastic shift does not occur overnight. Two sub- experiences and thoughts. They openly express their
themes emerged from this theme – flexible gender roles at opinions.” (ID_15/46/M)
home and pluralistic communication patterns.
3.6. Changes in the nature/quality of relationships
3.5.1. Flexible gender roles at home
Globalization has significantly impacted the Indian
Previously, household labor was distinctly divided by cultural system, leading to changes in the nature of family
gender. However, the rise of nuclear families and the relationships. These changes reflect more individualistic
increased participation of women in the workforce have thinking, conflicts in interactions, and less hierarchical
compelled men to share household responsibilities. In structures within families. The sub-themes that emerged
dual-income households, it is now impractical to operate include changes in grandparent-grandchild relationships,
without men contributing a fair share of household work, decreased quality of family relationships, and a shift toward
which was unimaginable a few generations ago. Gender positive parenting.
roles that were once rigidly assigned to women are
becoming more fluid, and men are no longer shamed by 3.6.1. Changes in grandparent-grandchild relationship
society for doing household chores. Two opposing points of view are evident in this subtheme.
“The traditional gender roles are being rewritten these Grandparents claim to be closer to their grandchildren than
days. The concept of women staying in the kitchen and to their children in terms of love and concern. However, the
men staying in the living room is changing. Now men younger generation highlighted that despite their wish to
are expected to do whatever chore that is needed.” have a good relationship with their grandparents, they face
(ID_15/46/M) difficulties due to differences in beliefs and viewpoints on how
they see the world. These discrepancies are most noticeable
“Even though gender roles have not undergone a in their perspectives on many traditional ceremonies.
sea change, there have been some positive changes
in expected gender roles in Kerala. The husband has “I am very close to my grandchildren and love them
started to participate more in household work. In the very much. It’s such that more fondness is toward
past, this was viewed as a great shame. Now, people grandchildren than my own children.” (ID_15/77/M)
do not shame others for doing chores.” (ID_29/27/F) “The relationship with grandparents is such that I love
them, but often there are conflicts due to the differences
3.5.2. Pluralistic communication pattern in opinion resulting in differences.” (ID_27/24/F)
Families with pluralistic communication patterns engage
in open conversations where every member has equal 3.6.2. Decreased quality of family relationships
opportunities for input when making collective decisions. Participants felt that the quality of interaction between
Participants reported that in the past, significant family family members is declining, marked by decreased family

Volume 11 Issue 2 (2025) 83 https://doi.org/10.36922/ijps.2404