The joint family system has persisted in India through the Vedic age to the present day. Many advantages can be attributed to joint living in the family.
Division of Labour:
Joint family secures the advantages of division of labor. Here the work is distributed among the members on the basis of age. Every member in the family is given work according to his abilities. Every phase of family's life is managed by all members including women and children.
Social Security:
The joint family provides social security to the weak, aged, sick, infirm, the disabled and such other needy persons. An individual's life from cradle to cremation is looked after by the joint family. In times of accidents, crisis and emergencies, one can rely on one's joint family for help.
Similarly, for the people such as orphans, widows, the deserted, divorced, separated and the neglected, the joint family provides protection. It gives them food and shelter.
A joint family avoids the unnecessary expenditure of separate household establishment. Savings are possible in the joint family since the household purchases are made jointly. As a joint family requires large quantities of commodities for its consumption, they can be purchased at a time at lower prices and thereby money can be saved.
Social virtues:
Joint family fosters great virtues like sacrifice, affection, cooperation, spirit of selfless service among its members and makes the family a cradle of social virtues. Under the care of elders, the undesirable and anti-social tendencies of the young are checked and they are prevented from going astray. All family members learn to obey family rules and respect elders.
Bringing up children:
The ideal place for the upbringing of children is the joint family. The joint family not only consists of young couples but also the old and aged people who live together. The old and aged people have a rich experience of life. As a result of this, the grandfather and the grandmother always look after the children of their sons and daughters and the older generation is capable of inculcating the best of family traditions and wisdom in them.
Provides leisure:
It provides an opportunity for leisure for the members. Since the work is shared by all the members on the basis of age, sex and experience, they get more leisure time. More people can finish the work with limited time and provide enough leisure for the members to relax.
Opportunity for recreation:
The joint family is an ideal place of recreation for all the members. Social and religious ceremonies in the family bring pleasure for the family members. The joint family plays the role of modern club without any adverse effects.
Top 5 Questions and Answers on "Joint Family - Benefits"
1. Q: What are the benefits of living in a joint family?
Answer: Living in a joint family can provide emotional support and a sense of belonging.
2. Q: How does a joint family system promote sharing responsibilities?
Answer: In a joint family, multiple family members can share household and caregiving responsibilities, reducing the burden on individuals.
3. Q: What role does a joint family play in nurturing strong family bonds?
Answer: Joint families often foster strong interpersonal relationships among extended family members, promoting unity and solidarity.
4. Q: How can a joint family system be advantageous for child upbringing?
Answer: Children in joint families often benefit from the wisdom and guidance of multiple generations, leading to a well-rounded upbringing.
5. Q: What economic advantages can a joint family offer its members?
Answer: Joint families can pool financial resources, making it easier to manage expenses and save for the future.
