- Gender and Family: An Introduction
- Family and Gender: Biological to Social
- Understanding Gender
- Understanding Family
- Reproduction and the Family
- Role of Family in Gender Socialisation
- Agents of Gender Socialization
- Family and Gender Relations in Transition
Introduction
The concept of family revolves around an intimate domestic unit comprising individuals connected by blood relations, marital bonds, or legal affiliations. Functioning as the fundamental social unit within any society, it serves as a cornerstone for human interaction. Universally prevalent, it stands as the most basic social entity compared to others. Within the family structure, essential societal functions such as reproduction, production, and consumption take place. Moreover, it serves as the primary platform for socialization, where the younger generation imbibes the norms, values and cultural practices of their community. Additionally, it plays a crucial role in shaping individual identity, guiding individuals in understanding their expected roles and societal positions.
Symbolic interactionist theorists such as Charles Horton Cooley and George Herbert Mead highlight the significance of primary groups, like the family, in the formation of an individual’s self-concept and the acquisition of social behaviours based on societal expectations and values. This developmental process within the family is pivotal in transforming an unsocialised individual into a fully integrated member of society.
Gender identity, socialization and the performance of gender-specific roles play crucial roles in this developmental journey. Our identification as either ‘male’ or ‘female’ imposes certain constraints and opportunities in various aspects of our lives.
While individuals may be born biologically as either male or female, it is society, culture, and civilization that construct the concept of ‘womanhood’ and dictate what is considered ‘feminine’ behaviour and roles. ‘Sex’ pertains to biological distinctions between males and females, focusing on reproductive anatomy, while ‘gender’ encompasses the cultural interpretations and societal classifications of ‘masculine’ and ‘feminine’ traits. Societies utilize gender to designate individuals for specific social roles, particularly evident in the institution of marriage.
In essence, societies create and perpetuate gender norms to fulfil social needs, thereby shaping individuals’ identities and behaviours within the broader social context.
Family and Gender: Biological to Social
Despite variations in analytical perspectives, it’s evident that societal and cultural interpretations overlay the inherent ‘natural’ or ‘biological’ disparities between males and females. This perspective often portrays women as innately weak, submissive, nurturing, family-centric, self-sacrificing, and unsuitable for the demands of professional roles, politics, and fields like science and technology. Thus, what is considered ‘natural’ becomes intertwined with social constructs, while social and cultural norms are often attributed to biological dissimilarities.
The family unit serves as a pivotal arena where biological sex translates into social gender. In certain societies, female offspring may be perceived as both an economic and social burden, leading to neglect or even instances of infanticide. These girls may face disparities in nutrition, be groomed primarily for domestic duties and childcare, while their male counterparts receive educational opportunities.
The differentiation between male and female at birth significantly influences societal structures, including labour divisions, perceived prestige, and pay scales across various professions, as well as participation in public domains such as the economy, politics, religion, and culture. These biological distinctions give rise to diverse cultural expectations and opportunities, often resulting in discrimination based on gender.
Social scientists acknowledge gender as a primary factor in stratification and discrimination within human societies. Contemporary gender theorists advocate for an intersectional approach, examining how gender intersects with other forms of differentiation such as race, caste, class, and ethnicity.
Feminist perspectives emphasize the need to address gender discrimination starting within the family and intimate relationships. Some radical feminists even call for the dismantling of the traditional heterosexual nuclear family. It’s crucial to recognize that the family is not a static institution but evolves in response to changes in broader social structures, including the economy, legal systems, religion, and education. Gender dynamics permeate these interactions and influence family structures, functions, and relationships.
Understanding Gender
Gender encompasses a spectrum of traits associated with femininity and masculinity, delineating distinctions between them. This concept extends beyond biological differences to encompass social structures such as gender roles and identity. While many societies adhere to a binary understanding of gender—dividing individuals into male and female categories—others recognize non-binary identities that exist outside these traditional definitions. Certain cultures even acknowledge additional genders, like the hijras in South Asia, often referred to as third genders. Scholars widely recognize gender as a fundamental element of social organization.
Within academic discourse, the exploration of gender roles dates back to at least 1945, gaining momentum through the feminist movement of the 1970s. This movement posits that human nature is not inherently tied to a specific gender and that distinctions between sexes are socially constructed. Consequently, discussions surrounding this societal construction process were designated as matters of gender.
Commonly, gender is increasingly utilized as a substitute for sex, the latter being a biological classification, although efforts persist to maintain a distinction. Gender refers to the formal classification wherein nouns are organized and altered to reflect masculine and feminine attributes. In broader terms, it encompasses the socially constructed characteristics associated with women, men, girls, and boys, including norms, behaviours, roles, and interpersonal relationships. This socio-cultural construct exhibits variation across societies and cultures and is subject to change over time.
Gender operates within a hierarchical framework, generating inequalities that intersect with other social and economic disparities. It interacts with, yet remains distinct from, sex, which pertains to the biological and physiological traits of females, males, and intersex individuals, such as chromosomes, hormones, and reproductive organs. While related, gender and sex hold separate significances. Gender profoundly shapes individuals’ healthcare experiences and access. The organization and provision of health services can either impede or facilitate access to healthcare information, support, and services, influencing the outcomes of these interactions. Healthcare should be accessible, affordable, and culturally sensitive, delivered with quality, equity, and respect for human dignity.
Dimensions of Gender
The terms “sex” and “gender” are often used interchangeably, but they hold distinct meanings. While sex typically refers to the biological characteristics such as genitalia that are assigned to a newborn as male or female, gender encompasses a broader spectrum of identity. While many assume a person’s gender based on their assigned sex at birth, this overlooks the complexity of gender identity. Gender extends beyond mere biological assignment; it is shaped by a multifaceted interplay of factors.
1. The concept of body encompasses our physical form, our personal understanding of it, societal perceptions regarding gendered bodies, and the interactions we encounter based on our bodily characteristics.
2. Identity refers to the designation we adopt to express our gender identity, rooted in our deeply ingrained internal perception of self. These identities may align with binary classifications (such as male or female), non-binary categories (like genderqueer or genderfluid), or ungendered classifications (such as agender or genderless). The interpretation of a specific identity can vary among individuals who identify with the same label. One’s gender identity might correspond with or diverge from the sex they were assigned at birth.
3. Social gender encompasses how we outwardly present our gender to the world and how individuals, communities, societies, and cultures perceive, interact with, and seek to influence our gender expression. This includes gender roles, societal expectations, and the mechanisms through which society attempts to enforce adherence to prevailing gender norms. Each of these facets can exhibit considerable diversity and operates independently while also influencing one another. The comfort an individual feels in their gender is influenced by the degree to which these three dimensions align harmoniously.
Understanding Family
The family stands as a close-knit domestic unit comprising individuals bound together by ties of kinship, marriage, or legal relationships. It serves as the fundamental building block of society, being the most basic yet crucial social entity present in any community. Consisting typically of a father, mother, and one or more children, it represents the initial and most immediate social environment a child encounters. Throughout an individual’s life, from infancy to adulthood, the family exerts a profound and enduring influence.
Scholars like MacIver and Page have defined the family as a group characterized by enduring sexual relationships aimed at the procreation and upbringing of children. Beirstedt underscores the unparalleled significance of the family in human experience, emphasizing its omnipresence throughout our lives. Nimkoff portrays the family as a resilient association, whether it comprises a couple with or without children or a single parent with children. Meanwhile, Eliot and Merrill offer a concise portrayal of the family as a biological and social unit composed of spouses and offspring.
In essence, a family can be described as a cohesive unit comprising individuals connected by marriage, blood relations, or adoption, residing together and engaging in interpersonal communication while fulfilling their respective societal roles as spouses, parents, children, siblings, thus fostering a shared cultural identity.
Families are a ubiquitous social institution, existing in various forms across all societies, whether traditional or contemporary. Rooted in the institution of marriage, which establishes a union between two adults of opposite genders, or through kinship bonds and adoption, families serve as the primary source of identity, offering a lineage through which ancestry can be traced.
As the fundamental unit of society, families play a crucial role in the initial socialization of individuals. Whether they are nuclear, extended, or joint, families serve as the core unit within larger social structures, influencing various institutions, organizations, and groups. Emotionally and sentimentally driven, families provide the foundation for relationships based on mating, reproduction, parental care, and sibling bonds.
Functioning as a unit of emotional and economic cooperation, each family member shares in the responsibilities and duties within the household. Typically consisting of spouses and one or more children, whether biological or adopted, families operate through various social roles such as husband, wife, parent, and sibling, fostering mutual support and affection among its members.
Reproduction and the Family
The family plays a crucial role in human society, notably in its reproductive function. Marriage, a socially recognized institution, serves as a conduit for individuals to express their sexuality within accepted norms and to procreate, thereby ensuring the continuity of generations. While there are instances of non-traditional marital arrangements in various cultures, such as the ‘berdache’ system among the Cheyenne Indians and temporary boy-wives among the Azande, these are exceptions to the predominant model of heterosexual unions between men and women.
Feminist perspectives assert that reproduction transcends mere biology, emphasizing its deeply embedded social nature. Conception and childbirth, though rooted in biological processes, are heavily influenced by social and cultural practices. Engels’ seminal work, “The Origins of the Family,” is esteemed among gender scholars for its insights into these dynamics. Engels posited reproduction as twofold: the production of necessities like food and shelter, and the production of human beings for the perpetuation of the species. These intertwined activities, central to family life, encompass crucial gendered roles such as domestic labour (including housework and childcare) and the experiences of maternity and motherhood. These aspects of family dynamics warrant detailed examination.
1. The Domestic Division of Labour: Based on available ethnographic sources regarding the division of labour along gender lines, it becomes evident that women traditionally bore the primary responsibility for childcare and nurturing, thus shaping the division of labour. Should women engage in hazardous or prolonged work away from their children, or interrupt their childcare duties, it could jeopardize the well-being and survival of their offspring. Consequently, women’s reproductive roles are rooted in biology, while the corresponding social duties are culturally defined, yet deeply intertwined with biological imperatives that allow for limited variation. The theoretical separation of sex and gender is challenged by their empirical entanglement, influenced both by evolutionary forces and societal norms. Across diverse cultures, women are consistently assigned specific reproductive duties that dictate their involvement in activities beyond the domestic sphere.
As societies transitioned towards plough-based agriculture during development, which demanded greater physical strength and labour intensity, men assumed primary roles. It can be inferred that when women’s labour becomes less essential for family survival compared to men’s, their social status diminishes accordingly. The concept of “separate spheres,” where women oversee the private, domestic realm of household chores, nurturing, and childbirth, while men oversee the public sphere encompassing work, earning, and broader societal engagement, is central to the modern nuclear family. This gendered institutional division of labour persists in modern industrial and urban settings, reinforced by gender-specific roles and expectations.
The social reform movement of the 19th century in India drew significant influence from Victorian values and culture. One key aspect of this movement was the emphasis on educating and shaping Indian women into an ‘ideal’ type of ‘reformed’ women. This ideal woman was envisioned as being gentle, refined, and proficient in managing a household. Reformers aimed to establish an educational system for women that would enable them to support and comfort their husbands in both good and bad times, as well as provide social comforts as the lady of the house.
Within households, women primarily shoulder the responsibility of planning and organizing daily routines, effectively functioning as household managers. However, the gendered division of domestic labour perpetuates disparities within households and extends to the workplace. Women’s contributions to household management are often viewed as an inherent aspect of their femininity rather than recognized as significant work in its own right.
The advent of the industrial age intensified the separation between the realms of work and domestic life, imposing cultural expectations and norms on both spheres. The establishment of the ‘breadwinner homemaker’ dichotomy within the industrial, nuclear household framework deeply influenced gender dynamics within families.
2. Gendered Discourses on Motherhood: The concept of motherhood holds significant cultural value across various societies and throughout history, often portraying it as a defining aspect of womanhood. In many cultures, such as in India, becoming a mother is regarded as a crucial milestone, symbolizing the fulfillment of a woman’s inherent purpose. Particularly, giving birth to a son elevates a woman’s status within her marital home, contrasting with the lesser regard often given to the birth of daughters. Infertility is viewed as a profound affliction, with derogatory terms like “barren field” used to describe afflicted women in some Indian languages. Motherhood is deeply intertwined with notions of selflessness, sacrifice, prioritizing the needs of one’s child and family over personal desires, and finding fulfillment in this natural role.
Upon entering her husband’s household, a newly married woman often experiences a sense of displacement and may encounter challenges such as humiliation, hostility, or lack of empathy from her new relatives, depending on cultural norms. She undergoes various forms of physical, mental, and emotional strain before integrating into her new environment. For many women, motherhood serves as a culturally endorsed pathway to attaining elevated social status, particularly if she gives birth to a male heir. The bond between mother and infant is characterized by profound physical, emotional, and psychological connections, underscored by rich cultural and religious narratives that delineate between notions of ‘good’ and ‘bad’ mothers.
In the Western cultural context, there exists a prevalent notion of the woman primarily as a homemaker, fostering the idea of the ‘maternal instinct’ as an inherent feminine quality rather than a socially acquired and variable behavior. This notion extends to the concept of ‘intensive mothering,’ where mothers are expected to dedicate the majority of their time and energy to aspects such as their child’s development, nutrition, education, hobbies, and play, aiming to provide the best possible foundation for their child’s future. This intensive caregiving places significant demands on mothers, especially those in nuclear families lacking extended kin networks for childcare support.
The phenomenon of working women facing the ‘double burden’ of childcare and professional responsibilities is particularly challenging, often resulting in feelings of guilt, stress, and role conflict. However, there is a growing recognition of ‘new fatherhood’ in contemporary globalized culture, where young men are increasingly involved in caring for their children. This involvement includes activities like playing with their children, displaying affection publicly, assisting with school tasks, and being actively engaged in their children’s lives.
Despite these changing dynamics, traditional gendered expectations still persist in many decision-making scenarios. Men often prioritize their careers over domestic responsibilities when faced with choices such as staying at home, rejecting job offers or transfers, taking time off for childcare, or prioritizing home life over career advancement. While more women are now engaged in employment outside the home, the role of ‘housewife’ persists, and instances of ‘house husbands’ or men opting to stay home to care for their families remain uncommon and are sometimes subject to ridicule and jokes, highlighting the persistence of traditional gender norms.
Role of Family in Gender Socialisation
Social scientists concur that while biology and genetics contribute significantly to personality and behaviour, culture plays a crucial role in shaping or influencing an individual’s biological predispositions, ultimately melding them into a socialized member of society. Key theories of socialization, such as social learning and cognitive development, are widely acknowledged and are particularly relevant in understanding gender socialization.
Furthermore, identification theory offers a specific perspective on gender socialization and the development of gender identity. Rooted in Freudian concepts, this theory emphasizes how children acquire appropriate behaviours through imitation and internalization, with a focus on unconscious psychological processes. Gender identity begins to form in early childhood as children form strong attachments to same-sex parental figures, typically boys to fathers and girls to mothers.
In certain societies, such as the United States, women traditionally take on the role of primary caregivers, leading to both male and female children forming early emotional bonds with their mothers. As children mature, boys often undergo a challenging transition as they shift their primary identification from mother to father. This process can be emotionally taxing, particularly since fathers typically exhibit less involvement in childcare compared to mothers. Conversely, girls typically maintain their identification with their mothers, learning about femininity through this ongoing connection.
These divergent paths to gender identification contribute to the development of distinct male and female personalities. Girls often demonstrate a stronger sense of connection and empathy towards others, while boys tend to be more comfortable with distance and separation, potentially leading to a lesser development of empathy compared to girls. Additionally, girls often exhibit greater confidence in their female identity, while boys and men may feel the need to reaffirm their masculinity periodically, both to themselves and to others.
Furthermore, it’s worth noting that the concept of mothering itself is perpetuated through the development of a “Feminine” personality, which values traits such as attachment, nurturance, and empathy—traits commonly associated with motherhood. This understanding enriches our insight into how gender is shaped and reinforced within familial and cultural contexts.
In the Indian societal context, from the moment a girl is born, she often encounters a sense of diminished worth compared to a male child, whose arrival is celebrated with joy and festivities. If a family is blessed with a baby boy after her, it’s considered fortunate, but if a succession of sisters follows, it’s often met with sympathy. Proverbs such as “Bringing up a daughter is like watering a plant in another’s courtyard” vividly illustrate the prevailing preference for sons. Growing up, girls internalize the idea of being transient members of their birth families. Witnessing wedding ceremonies where the bride leaves amidst tears and emotional displays, along with hearing sayings hinting at their fleeting stay at home, reinforces this notion.
While a girl before puberty is often revered as pure and a symbol of the divine feminine, the onset of adolescence brings about significant changes. Suddenly, she is seen as ‘mature’ or ‘grown-up,’ and this transition is marked by rituals like confinement, special diets, ritual bathing—particularly in certain regions—and adopting ‘adult’ clothing like saris to signify her new phase. Puberty imposes various constraints on a girl’s freedom and behavior; she’s expected to adhere to cultural standards of modesty in her attire, demeanour, and speech to safeguard her prospects for marriage.
Training in household chores and tasks plays a significant role in reinforcing gender identities, with girls typically assigned duties such as cooking, cleaning, and childcare, which are often labelled as “women’s work.” Central to this training is the concept of “service” or “sewa,” ingrained in girls through cultural values associated with food. Girls may be encouraged to consume leftovers or have their food intake regulated to maintain a certain appearance and instil qualities like patience and endurance.
As girls are groomed for their current and future roles, the inevitability of leaving their parental home looms large. However, the destination of their future home is not of their choosing but rather determined by their parents. Decision-making and autonomy in their new household may take years to develop, leaving them with uncertainty and limited agency. Conversely, boys are socialized to prioritize the continuity of the family lineage, assuming roles as both inheritors and caregivers for elders in later life. This contrast results in boys feeling a sense of entitlement and belonging, while girls often experience insecurity and dependence on others’ decisions.
Here are different methods by which families play a role in shaping the gender identity of children:
1. Reinforcement or Moulding: In many households, there exists a disparity in the treatment of children based on their gender. Typically, boys are afforded greater autonomy compared to girls, who are often shielded more closely. Expressions of behavior considered “effeminate” in boys are actively discouraged, sometimes even labeled as psychological issues. These patterns of upbringing contribute significantly to the swift and efficient acquisition of gender roles by children.
2. Opportunities: Opportunities play a significant role in shaping gender expectations. Traditionally, boys are steered towards technical fields, while girls are dissuaded from pursuing them. Society often reinforces stereotypical gender norms, urging girls to embrace traditionally feminine pursuits while boys are nudged towards more masculine activities. For instance, boys are often gifted toys like cars and building blocks, while girls receive kitchen sets and dolls. Additionally, boys are typically encouraged to assist their fathers, while girls are expected to help their mothers. These societal expectations can significantly influence the development and choices of individuals as they grow.
3. Role Modelling: Role modelling plays a significant role in the socialization of gender. By around the age of three, most children have developed an awareness of their gender identity, and by four, they begin forming distinct ideas about what it means to be masculine or feminine. Typically, boys tend to identify with their fathers, while girls look to their mothers as role models. When children view their parents as role models, they often strive to emulate them. This process of role modelling is particularly impactful when there is a strong and nurturing relationship between the child and the role model.
4. Explicit Verbal Instruction: Specific guidelines also shape one’s perception of gender. Cultural norms dictate that boys shouldn’t cry like girls, pink is exclusively for girls, and girls should inherently know how to cook. These pervasive messages, encountered daily, deeply influence individuals’ minds, solidifying their understanding of gender identity.
Agents of Gender Socialization
The distinction between sex and gender is crucial, particularly in the context of gender socialization, where the two terms are often used interchangeably.
- Sex: Sex refers to the biological and physiological characteristics determined by an individual’s anatomy at birth. It typically falls into a binary classification, categorizing individuals as either male or female based on physical attributes.
- Gender: Unlike sex, gender is a social construct. It represents the social identity shaped by cultural perceptions of masculinity and femininity. Gender exists along a spectrum rather than a strict binary classification.
Individuals form their gender identity through a process influenced by gender socialization. This process involves learning the gender-related norms, expectations, and rules of their culture. Key agents of gender socialization include parents, teachers, schools, and the media. Through exposure to these influences, children develop their own beliefs about gender, ultimately shaping their individual gender identities:
1. Parents: Parents often serve as a child’s initial guide to understanding gender roles. From infancy, they impart distinct expectations based on the child’s sex. This could manifest in various ways, such as a father engaging in rough play with his son or a mother taking her daughter shopping. These interactions may lead the child to associate certain activities or toys with specific genders. Even well-intentioned parents striving for gender equality can unintentionally perpetuate stereotypes influenced by their own upbringing and societal norms.
2. Teachers: Educators and school officials often inadvertently reinforce gender roles and stereotypes through their actions, such as segregating students by gender during activities or applying disparate disciplinary measures based on gender. These practices can contribute to the shaping of children’s beliefs and perceptions regarding gender.
3. Peers: Peer interactions play a significant role in shaping gender socialization as well. Children often engage more with peers of the same gender, and through these interactions, they absorb societal expectations regarding gender roles. These lessons may manifest directly, such as when a peer explicitly states what behaviours are deemed appropriate or inappropriate based on gender. Additionally, they can be subtle, as children observe and internalize the behaviours of peers of both genders over time. While these influences may become less overt as children grow older, adults still often seek validation and cues on gender-appropriate behaviour from same-gender peers.
4. Media: Media, encompassing various forms such as movies, television, and literature, plays a significant role in educating children about gender roles. It often portrays stereotypes that can influence how individuals perceive gender. For instance, in an animated film, one might observe the portrayal of female characters: a passive yet beautiful protagonist contrasted with an active but unattractive antagonist. These depictions, among many others, reinforce societal norms regarding acceptable behaviors and values associated with each gender.
Gender socialization is a continual process that begins in childhood and persists throughout one’s life. The beliefs and perceptions about gender acquired during childhood can have lasting effects, influencing various aspects of life. This influence ranges from significant decisions, such as career choices, to minor preferences like bedroom decor. Over time, these beliefs may evolve and become more nuanced, shaping behavior within family dynamics, educational settings, workplaces, and interpersonal relationships. In essence, the evolving understanding of gender plays a crucial role in shaping societal norms and individual behaviours across different stages of life.
Family and Gender Relations in Transition
Family systems are dynamic entities, influenced by and in turn influencing other societal institutions. Particularly in contemporary times, the government has assumed a significant role in familial affairs, implementing programs aimed at population control and family size regulation. These initiatives distinctly shape reproductive behaviours and choices within families. Legislative actions concerning familial matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, adoption, dowry prohibition, domestic violence prevention, among others, blur the distinction between the private and public spheres.
The women’s movement has been instrumental in raising awareness within society regarding the injustices and discriminations faced by women and girls within familial settings, including dowry-related issues, bride-burning, domestic violence, sexual abuse of minors, and gender-selective practices like feticide and infanticide. Factors such as increased access to education for women, urbanization, rising female workforce participation, globalization, advancements in information technology, and the pervasive influence of mass media, mobile communication, and other forms of connectivity have ushered in a realm of new possibilities and opportunities for both genders in the younger generation.
Amidst these developments, there has been a noticeable rise in sex-related offenses, marital dynamics and breakdowns, instances of ‘honour killings’, as well as the trafficking of women and girls, accompanied by a concerning decline in the sex ratio. Analyzing the stories of women spanning three generations reveals a gradual shift from a state of ‘interdependence’ to one marked by ‘independence’ and ‘personal autonomy’.
Women have grappled with conflicting messages concerning their roles and identities. While increased access to education and delayed marriages have fostered greater independence among girls, traditional cultural norms emphasizing modesty, compliance, and deference to familial expectations persist. The continued prevalence of ‘arranged marriages’ serves as a testament to this duality. Traditional family structures, predominantly patriarchal and patrilocal, maintain hierarchical systems of authority based on age and gender.
Within these structures, relationships characterized by authority often supersede those founded on love or emotional bonds. Expectations dictate that women refrain from openly expressing love and affection towards their children, and it is considered inappropriate for married couples to display affection in the presence of other family members. Nonetheless, conjugal bonds between spouses are strengthening, particularly within middle and upper-income households, where there is a trend towards more egalitarian relationships between husbands and wives.
Younger women are displaying less apprehension when it comes to leaving unsatisfactory marriages. Following marriage, they show a preference for residing in nuclear households, where they can enjoy freedom from interference by in-laws and cultivate closer relationships. This setting allows for greater autonomy and independence; women have the liberty to visit their parental homes more frequently, show less deference to their in-laws, and manage cooking separately for their husbands and children using distinct hearths in separate kitchens. Older generations recognize that these shifts stem from enhanced education and the increased autonomy and influence wielded by their sons within the extended family structure. Generally, elders adopt a philosophical perspective towards these changes, attributing them to divine will.
Conclusion: Based on the analysis provided above, it becomes evident that gender plays a pivotal role in shaping the structure of the family institution. Gender not only influences our identities but also dictates our opportunities, expectations, and behaviors. Our study delves into how the family functions as both a site for reproduction and productivity, shedding light on how domestic tasks are often divided along gender lines. Moreover, the concept of ‘separate spheres’ perpetuates the notion of distinct roles for women as homemakers and men as breadwinners. It can be inferred that amidst societal changes, the traditional family model within the patriarchal Hindu society is undergoing evolution, contributing to broader social transformations.