South Asia: Social Patterns |
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| Family Structure |
| Extended families of several
generations traditionally lived under the same roof. Today, middle-class families are more likely to have individual homes, although parents often move in with their children once grand children arrive. |
| Arranged marriages although
many young people have the right to reject marriages arranged for them
by their parents. Today, individuals resort to on-line marriage services such as Shaadi.com. |
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| Cities |
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New sections (often designed, created, and originally occupied by the British) with
wide streets, parks, and 2-story homes |
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Old sections (usually
with ancient origins) with narrow streets, closely packed apartment
buildings and/or stores |
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Large cities
also have slum areas where residents have created homes from scrap
materials |
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Water and electrical service are frequently interrupted as the country undergoes a dramatic economic expansion |
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Many traditional homes have roof
water tanks, although modern homes increasingly have water heaters. |
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| Hindu Social Organization |
| 4 major social divisions (varnas) |
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brahman: priests and scholars |
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ksatriya: warriors and administrators (princes) |
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vaiśya: merchants and landlords |
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śudra: artisans and laborers |
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harijan / dalit: "untouchables," those outside the system |
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| caste: provides a model behavior:
occupation, marriage partners, relationships with other castes, commensural
privileges, etc. (the higher the caste, the more restricted the diet).
Education and industrialization have weakened many barriers. |
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