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Unit 12 Child Bearing Families

1. Explain the different types of families.

• Nuclear family: It consists of the husband, wife and their children.
• Joint family: A joint family is an extension of the family consisting of the married sons and their children also.
• Extended family: An extended family includes members other than those related by blood and marriage, for example, siblings of the man or woman may live in the same household.

2. What are the functions of a family?

• Procreation
• Regulation of sexual behaviour
• Taking care of small and young children, 
• Taking care of the old and sick, 
• Undertaking economic activities, 
• Providing a sense of belongingness to the members, and
• Passing culture to the next generation

3. Write a short note on the changing face of family in India.

In India, the family structure is changing from traditional forms to more diverse configurations. There's a shift from larger joint families to smaller nuclear families, with an increase in single-parent and dual-earner households. The number of children couples are having is decreasing from 5 or 6 to 1 or 2 offspring in urban areas.

Family as a structural unit, has been undergoing change due to ongoing socioeconomic, demographic changes brought about with the technological advancement. Now-a-days the traditional Indian joint or extended family is transforming into nuclear households. In India, single parent families are created mainly due to death of the spouse, divorce or separation .The traditional nuclear family is also competing with the family setup consisting of individuals cohabiting without marriage and having children of their own or adopting them. The traditional man-woman couple has an emerging counterpart, consisting of same sex partners who adopt or procreate children to complete their family, in today's world. With changing work opportunities people also migrate in great numbers and this has added to another major category of individuals and families, termed as the migrant families across the world and inside each country. 

4. List down the factors that affect the decision of bearing a child.

The factors that affect the decision to bear a child are:

• Social expectations
• Social acceptance
• Identification
• Religion
• Getting rid of loneliness, 
• Feeling of accomplishment, 
• Ensuring continuity, and 
• For moksha or salvation. 

5. List down the major conflicts between motherhood and employment.

The major conflicts between motherhood and employment are: 

1. Nature of work of the woman, 
2. Availability of childcare facility, 
3. Economic standing of the couple, 
4. Status of the woman in the family, and 
5. Perceived function of the woman by others in the family, society and caste group

6. Fill up the blanks: 

• In the traditional family system, the man would earn and the woman would bear children and take care of the house. 
• Women who join the workforce and are actively participating in money earning for the family tend to bear children at a later age.
• With the advent of oral contraception the choice of birth control has made the female in a sexual relationship more in control. 
• The birth of the first baby brings about total restructuring of the household arrangement and functioning.
• The presence of the newborn affects the quality of companionship that the couple shared with each other
• Mother who is able to breast feed the child does not need to look for additional feeding methods and food supplements.

7. List down the major responsibilities of the mother.

The major responsibilities of the mother are: 

1. Learning childcare skills, 
2. Not feeling hesitant in asking for help in childcare from family members, 
3. Adjusting and making a different routine according to the needs of the child, 
4. Learning to cope with added work responsibilities of childcare and running the household, 
5. Learning to manage time so as to also look after the needs of the husband and continue to have a satisfactory married life, and 
6. Learning to take time out for herself - to pursue hobbies, take rest etc. 

8. List down the major responsibilities of the father. 

The major responsibilities of the father are: 

1. Accepting the responsibility and bringing to consciousness that fatherhood is demanding and making efforts to fulfil his role as a father, 
2. Learning child care skills, 
3. Doing financial planning with the wife to keep expenditure in check, 
4. Sharing childcare responsibilities with the wife, 
5. Giving physical and emotional support to the wife during childcare, 
6. Helping the wife and independently looking after the infant if the need arises, 
7. Providing support when the wife or child is sick and be able to seek help from wider family and community in times of crises, 
8. Become increasingly able to enjoy intimate personal interactions with the child, 
9. Willingness to take assistance, if required, from extended family or outside agencies to meet the needs and the growing expenditure when wife is on maternity leave or is a housewife, and 
10. Unemployed men will look for work and try to attain stability in their employment. Thus, the father should look for and get settled in a job which can provide him with regular income to take care of the needs of the wife and newborn. 

9. List down the major economic stressors.

The major economic stressors are: 

1. Lack of optimal fmances to meet the growing needs of the baby may be a concern for the couple, 
2. Individual aspirations of both father and mother of accumulating wealth, raising status of the family, acquiring higher education, having a higher standard of living, fulfilling other needs and desires may get stifled and create a sense of underperformance and non achievement, and 
3. Parenthood requires a certain amount of commitment with regard to ones time and efforts and thus may affect individual aspirations of both the parents.

10. Give examples of different types of Stressors.

• Social Stressor: A young and new bride who is still adjusting with the husband's family may feel stressed out adjusting to the new setup and also coping with the responsibility of looking after the young one.
• Physical Stressor: The young child brings with herself or himself a lot of expectations which if not met may lead to parental dissatisfaction.
• Economic Stressor: Lack of optimal finances to meet the growing needs of the baby may be a concern for the couple.
• Psychological Stressor: Postpartum disorders and post partum psychosis just after the baby is born can have serious consequence for the new family.

11. Define and explain the childbearing stage of the family life cycle.

The childbearing stage is the second stage of the family life cycle, which begins with the decision to conceive the first child and continues through the early years of the child’s life. It involves significant changes in family dynamics, roles, and responsibilities. This stage encompasses the new roles of mother and father, as well as the adjustments of other family members and is a time of intense change as families grow with the addition of a new member.

12. Analyse the reasons for the shifting trend of increase in age of the mother entering the childbearing stage.

Several factors contribute to the trend of women having children later in life. These include:

• Increased educational opportunities: Women are pursuing higher education and careers, often delaying marriage and childbearing.
• Financial stability: Couples often prioritize financial security before starting a family.
• Career goals: Women are focusing on achieving their professional goals before having children.
• Transformation of family and partnership: Evolving family structures and the desire for more egalitarian relationships lead to delayed childbearing.
• Family planning: Access to contraception and family planning methods gives couples more control over when they have children.

13. Read the following profile of a mother and point out the possible causes of stress for her in the family.

• Profile: Alka is 28 years old. She is an MBA and was working in a company for 3 years before she got married. Her husband is posted in a remote village and Alka could not continue her job as she joined her husband after marriage. The couple have a year old daughter. But Alka feels very depressed and finds it very hard to take care of her child and husband.
• Answer: Possible causes of stress for Alka include:
  • Loss of Career: The inability to continue her career after marriage may lead to frustration and a loss of self-identity.
  • Geographic Isolation: Living in a remote village can cause isolation and a lack of social support.
  • Lack of Support: She may lack support from family and friends, leading to difficulties in caring for her child and husband.
  • Role Overload: Balancing household chores, child-rearing, and relationship management can be overwhelming without adequate help and support.
  • Postpartum Depression: Her depression may indicate postpartum issues that need to be addressed.
  • Unfulfilled Expectations: Disappointment about her life circumstances compared to her aspirations may create stress.
  • Financial Challenges: Lack of income due to stopping work may be a stressor.

14. Discuss the changing role of the father in the contemporary dual-earner family setup.

In contemporary dual-earner families, the father's role is undergoing significant transformation. Traditionally, the father was primarily seen as the breadwinner and head of the family. However, with more women entering the workforce, fathers are increasingly expected to be more involved in childcare and household responsibilities. This shift is driven by several factors:

• Economic Necessity: In dual-earner families, both incomes are often necessary to maintain the desired standard of living. This necessitates a more equitable distribution of household tasks.
• Changing Gender Roles: Traditional gender roles are being challenged, with a greater emphasis on equality in domestic and childcare responsibilities.
• Increased Awareness: There's growing awareness of the importance of fathers' involvement in children’s lives, which benefits both the child and the couple's relationship.
• Shared Childcare: Fathers are now often expected to share childcare responsibilities, including feeding, bathing, and engaging with their children.
• Emotional Support: The father is increasingly seen as a source of emotional support for both the mother and the children.
• Household Chores: Fathers are also participating more in household chores, such as cooking and cleaning.

However, it's important to acknowledge that these changes are not universal. Many families still adhere to traditional gender roles, where the woman is primarily responsible for domestic tasks and childcare, even when employed. This can lead to stress and conflict, particularly for women who are juggling multiple roles. Furthermore, societal expectations may place more emphasis on the husband's career being prioritised.

15. Describe the changing role of a female who, from a young bride, has become a mother in a joint family setup. How can the family in the present setup help her in fulfilling the role of a mother?

In a joint family, the transition from a young bride to a mother involves significant changes and adjustments. Traditionally, the young bride is expected to adapt to her new family's norms and routines. However, when she becomes a mother, her role becomes more central and complex. Key changes include:

• Increased Responsibilities: The young mother takes on significant responsibilities for childcare, alongside household tasks. She is typically expected to be the primary caregiver, often with little support from others.
• Shift in Family Dynamics: The arrival of a child often changes the dynamics within the family. The young mother may experience changes in her relationship with her husband, in-laws, and other family members.
• Negotiating Traditional and Modern Roles: In modern times, women may also have additional roles, such as career and social life, alongside the traditional roles of mother and homemaker.

How the family can help her fulfil the role of a mother:

• Shared Responsibilities: Other family members, particularly the husband and other women in the family, should share childcare and household responsibilities. This reduces the burden on the new mother.
• Emotional Support: The family should offer emotional support and encouragement to the new mother. Recognising her challenges and providing reassurance can alleviate stress.
• Flexibility: The family should allow for flexibility in roles and responsibilities, recognising that the new mother may need time and space to adjust to her new role.
• Respect for Her Choices: The family should respect the new mother’s choices regarding childcare and work, supporting her aspirations and decisions.
• Avoidance of Criticism: Criticism of her childcare and work choices, or perceived lack of success, should be avoided as this can create stress and tension.
• Support with Household Tasks: Sharing or providing help with cooking, cleaning, and other tasks will enable the new mother to focus on the baby.
• Encouraging Her Independence: The family should encourage her to maintain her individual interests and connections outside the home, fostering a balance between her roles as mother and as an individual.
• Communication: Open and healthy communication should be promoted to avoid resentment and conflict. Her concerns and needs should be acknowledged and addressed.

By offering practical support, understanding, and flexibility, families can play a crucial role in helping new mothers navigate the challenges of motherhood while maintaining their individual well-being in joint family setups.