#9: Living My Religion (Hinduism) - Family Life

Please draw and label a quick sketch of the make up of a traditional Hindu family (mother, father, grandmother, grandfather, brother and sister). See below

Paternal grandfather Dada

Paternal grandmother Dadi

Maternal grandfather Nana

Maternal grandmother Nani

Father Bap, Pita

Mother Ma, Mata

Brother Bhai, Bhaya

Sister Didi, Bhen

Father's brother Chacha

Father's brother's wife Chachi

Mother's brother Mama

Mother's brother's wife Mami

Mother's sister Mausi, Massi

Mother's sister's husband Mausa

Father's sister Phuphi

Father's sister's husband Phua, Bhua

Which relationship is more formal a) child/ parent b) child/grandparent?

Hindu families demonstrate firm ties of affection, strikingly different from many Western families. Hindu scripture has elaborately defined the dynamics of the various relationships within families. For example, a grandchild can tease and joke with a grandparent in a familiar way, not permissible with the father or mother.

Identify the responsibilities that Hindu families have regarding the elderly and children.

The extended family traditionally provides shelter and support for the elderly, the disabled and the less well off. Children are expected to repay the debt owed to their parents by supporting them in their retirement and old age. An important aspect of Hindu family life is the inter-dependence between members. Marriage itself is a broad social and religious obligation, rather than just a relationship between partners. The extended family provides considerable practical and emotional support, as for example when children are born. One advantage is that marriage stability is not inordinately reliant on the state of the couple's emotional ties.