Patriarchal Family

PATRIARCHAL FAMILY

The patriarchal family is also known as father-centred or father-dominated family. Here, the father or the eldest man is the head of the family and exercises authority. He is the owner and administrator of the family property. On all family matters, he is the final voice and opinion.

Characteristics of Patriarchal Family

1. Descent:

Descent traces the root of a man identifying his link with his ancestors. Here his link is based on genealogical with his father or grandfather or great grandfather.

2. Inheritance:

The parents were to succeed by the children, the children inherit the possessions of the common property of their father and father’s brother’s who were the husbands of their mother. In some instances, the eldest son enjoys some special rights.

3. Succession:

The principle of succession is determined by the right to funeral offerings of the closet, i.e., the son or brother’s son.

4. Residence:

The patriarchal family is Patrilocal in residence. Sons continue to stay with the father in his own house even after their marriages. Only the wives come and join them. Women have secondary positions in these families, for they have to be at the mercy of their menfolk. Children are brought up in their father’s families.

5. Authority:

Here the father or the eldest male member of the family is the dominant person. He is all in all. All the members are subordinate to him. He dictates terms for other members. All the major decisions pertaining to family affairs are taken by him.

6. Nobody has the authority to question him. He is the owner and the manager of the family property. During the early days, the patriarch had absolute authority over all family members. The patriarch could sell his sons and wife or even kill them. In religious matters also, he was the head.

At present, both matriarchal and patriarchal families have diminished. In their place, egalitarian or equalitarian families have emerged in which fathers and mothers enjoy equal status and opportunities. Most of the families in industrial societies are equalitarian families. They are often called ‘modern families’ and also ‘nuclear families.’