Family life in a joint family

What is a joint family

The significance of joint family is understood by the Indians since prehistoric times.

A family that stays together with all family members of various generations, as in 2-3 generations. like grandparents, parents, uncle, aunts and their children are called a joint family. Children were brought up amidst a number of members, hence they learnt to adjust among a number of children and ultimately a number of family members. 

In the 21st century, every couple started seeking privacy.  Least bothered were they that their children needed company to play and grow .They didn’t even care about their and their childrens’ personal hygiene, eating and sleeping habits.

How can joint family be an asset to the one staying in it 

There can be a number of assets of living in a joint family to the one staying in it.

 Unequivocal love :- A number of members in a family gives one the unequivocal love and                

 backing 

a). Vacations for the family-  A family which together goes for trips together turns happier as the bond between the family members grows stronger     

b). To take charge of:- One gets responsible in a joint family as someone or the other gets one charge of some responsibility or the other

c). Money matters:- In case of emergency, family members can be a big support in providing finances like if someone needs to be hospitalised immediately, other members can be a source of help morally, physically and financially

d). Relationships:- In joint families one learns how to nurture relations, living amongst elder and younger siblings of various natures and temperaments.

How to cope up with pressure situations     

Pressure situations are a normal part of life in a joint family. How to cope up with such situations strategically, makes one live happily in a joint family. There are some members in the family whom it is very difficult to cope up with. Here you can apply different strategies.

1). Keep peace like a winner

2). Learn to live with that person as if nothing is wrong with that person 

3). Pose the other person to be correct all the time, this is an awesome practice to keep 

     calm                                                             

4). Learn the practice to fulfill your necessities first

5). Know for yourself what causes you stress

6). Try to take deep breaths and meditate

7). Contemplate the emotional needs of your each and every family member

 Negative things in a joint family

 Everything has its pros and cons. Hence living in a joint family has it’s negative aspects too.

 Joint families still exist in India but their number has decreased.

 In joint families itself some people live at their own will but some live out of compulsion,   `                   

 There are some disadvantages of living in joint family :-

 1). A common kitchen:- The common kitchen in joint families is less of a boon and more of a bane. Some members like a variety of food, some have different tastes, some want Indian, some want continental whereas some want Chinese. The common kitchens cannot adhere to needs and tastes of all the family members, hence members remain dissatisfied and clashes occur in the family

2). Lack of Privacy:- Privacy is compromised in joint families and no one is ever alone in a joint family. Everybody is aware of  everyones’ advantages and loopholes. This leads to intervention which is not acknowledged. Hence people start hiding things to avoid any sort of interference.

3). Monetary Responsibility:- In joint families the monetary responsibility is in the hands of the head of the family who handles all the financial aspects of the family.

Other male members just add to the financial matters.

These were certain cons of living in a joint family. Of course, living together is difficult because in a joint family you have to put someone else’s needs before yours, you have to compromise but all these situations make you a better person.

It has been well said, "When a function in a joint family becomes ritual, it takes its place at the heart of our ability to see greatness in small things. Where is beauty to be found?

In great things that, like everything else, are doomed to die, or in small things that aspire to nothing, yet know how to set a jewel of infinity in single moment"