Gender - Important
In many families today, the idea of family roles is changing. While traditional families still dominate, many atypical family structures are emerging, reflecting the diversity of modern society.
Families are not biological facts but socially constructed institutions. The recent Kerala High Court judgment recognizing the right of a trans couple to be recorded simply as “parents” challenges the heteronormative family model and supports the idea of chosen families and legal pluralism. Concepts like gender performativity (Judith Butler) help explain how the roles of “mother” and “father” are shaped by society, not just by biology. This change reflects structural functionalism (Durkheim), where family- regardless of form- performs essential functions of emotional support and socialization. However, gendered division of labor within households persists, often assigning finances to fathers and caregiving to mothers, reflecting Parsons’ instrumental and expressive roles. Even modern, so-called progressive families can unknowingly reinforce patriarchal structures, showing how cultural lag slows down social change. Emotional labor (Arlie Hochschild) remains unequally distributed, particularly burdening women. This issue also highlights intersectionality (Crenshaw), where gender identity, sexuality, and family roles intersect to shape lived experiences. Recognizing atypical families reflects a shift toward affective ties being valued over blood relationships. Moving beyond binary thinking of traditional vs. non-traditional families allows acceptance of a spectrum of identities, making family a bond of love and care rather than mere legal or biological obligation. This shift represents a deeper process of social change, supported by progressive legal systems acting as agents of change in modern Society.
In many families today, the idea of family roles is changing. While traditional families still dominate, many atypical family structures are emerging, reflecting the diversity of modern society.
Families are not biological facts but socially constructed institutions. The recent Kerala High Court judgment recognizing the right of a trans couple to be recorded simply as “parents” challenges the heteronormative family model and supports the idea of chosen families and legal pluralism. Concepts like gender performativity (Judith Butler) help explain how the roles of “mother” and “father” are shaped by society, not just by biology. This change reflects structural functionalism (Durkheim), where family- regardless of form- performs essential functions of emotional support and socialization. However, gendered division of labor within households persists, often assigning finances to fathers and caregiving to mothers, reflecting Parsons’ instrumental and expressive roles. Even modern, so-called progressive families can unknowingly reinforce patriarchal structures, showing how cultural lag slows down social change. Emotional labor (Arlie Hochschild) remains unequally distributed, particularly burdening women. This issue also highlights intersectionality (Crenshaw), where gender identity, sexuality, and family roles intersect to shape lived experiences. Recognizing atypical families reflects a shift toward affective ties being valued over blood relationships. Moving beyond binary thinking of traditional vs. non-traditional families allows acceptance of a spectrum of identities, making family a bond of love and care rather than mere legal or biological obligation. This shift represents a deeper process of social change, supported by progressive legal systems acting as agents of change in modern Society.
A Census that fails to see women in all their lived realities is incomplete and unjust. Every woman must be counted where it matters most - in legislatures, policies, and collective future.
June 25, 2025 marks 50 years since the Emergency in India (1975–77), when democracy was suspended.
Today’s dictators don’t rule with fear alone - they use smart tricks like controlling the media, giving people free stuff, and acting like they care about “the people” to stay in power. This is not the old-style rule by force, but a softer way of making people follow them willingly. For example, when Donald Trump visited Gulf countries in 2025, he was welcomed like a hero - with luxury, jets, and gold medals. This shows how powerful leaders around the world support each other and create a “club of despots.” Like students who admire a strict teacher who gives rewards, people sometimes choose strong rulers over real freedom - showing that even in democracies, people can slowly lose their rights without realizing it.
By John Keane uses this to explain how a new kind of dictatorship — despotism is rising in the modern world.
Today’s dictators don’t rule with fear alone - they use smart tricks like controlling the media, giving people free stuff, and acting like they care about “the people” to stay in power. This is not the old-style rule by force, but a softer way of making people follow them willingly. For example, when Donald Trump visited Gulf countries in 2025, he was welcomed like a hero - with luxury, jets, and gold medals. This shows how powerful leaders around the world support each other and create a “club of despots.” Like students who admire a strict teacher who gives rewards, people sometimes choose strong rulers over real freedom - showing that even in democracies, people can slowly lose their rights without realizing it.
By John Keane uses this to explain how a new kind of dictatorship — despotism is rising in the modern world.