Society

Thursday, December 3, 2009

According to Eugene M. Makar, the traditional Indian culture is defined by relatively strict social hierarchy. He also mentions that from an early age, children are reminded of their roles and places in society.^[4] This is reinforced by the fact that many believe gods and spirits have integral and functional role in determining their life.^[4] Several differences such as religion divide culture.^[4] However, far more powerful division is the traditional Hindu bifurcation into non-polluting and polluting occupations.^[4] Strict social taboos have governed these groups for thousands of years.^[4] In recent years, particularly in cities, some of these lines have blurred and sometimes even disappeared.^[4] Nuclear family is becoming central to Indian culture. Important family relations extend to as far as gotra, the mainly patrilinear lineage or clan assigned to a Hindu at birth.^[4] In rural areas it is common that three or four generations of the family live under the same roof.^[4] Patriarch often resolves family issues.^[4]

Among developing countries, India has low levels of occupational and geographic mobility. People choose same occupations as their parents and rarely move geographically in the society.^[5] During the nationalist movement, pretentious behavior was something to be avoided. Egalitarian behaviour and social service were promoted while nonessential spending was disliked and spending money for ‘showing off’ was deemed a vice. This image continues in politics with many politicians wearing simple looking / traditionally rural clothes.