PATERNAL LOVE TO THE FAMILY by Rakesh Chandra

The pattern of an average family throughout the world is majorly paternalistic one barring a few societies where only maternal superior calls the shots. This is a general picture all over the world. One of the main reason behind this precept is that due to physical prowess of the man, it was fairly assumed that he will go outside and fetch foodstock and other household necessities for the family. Later on with the growth of civilizations, the spread of literacy and learning took to new heights. People started to grow in the form of more educated and aware human beings. In this transformation also, the men took the lead because of their outgoing and extrovert persona. The women lagged behind by generations from men in this regard. As a consequence, men were considered to be more knowledgeable, more intelligent and aware than their female counter-parts. That is how the paternalistic system originated in the families apart from the polity and the in the social system at large.

   In real life, family needs a headman endowed with greater wisdom and practical knowledge. Many family decisions require all these qualities. Thus, mother being largely illiterate and less aware has to play a second fiddle to her male counterpart. Therefore, with the passage of time the head of the family, a male, donned the role of not only bread-provider to the family but of taking care of children's nurturing and schooling etc. He is deemed to be primarily responsible to look after his family's healthcare and general welfare. Almost every decision in the family bears his signature.

   The role of paternalistic head is quite beneficial for the family. Being an outgoing person, he is better equipped to evaluate pros and cons of any worldly matter. Similarly, his education and learning comes handy in solving many diificult problems. His maturity stands in good stead for providing relevant answers to the ticklish problems engulfing the family. The role of family head can never be undermined.

   However, sometimes the family head is not mentally and physically strong. In that case he lacks the wisdom and courage to take appropriate and sound decisions. In that case, the role of paternalistic head is diluted to a considerable extent. Even though the mere presence of a paternalistic head of the family itself creates a cushion and bedrock for the family to stay on. A family without paternalistic head is doomed to wither away from the inherent pressures of the society. 

  In the modern times, the role of women is fastly expanding,so much so that they are stepping into the shoes of their male counterparts as the family head. They are outgoing and educated and also mentally alert. However, it has not undermined in any sense the role of the paternalistic family head. Their presence is a boon for any family. They are needed for the survival of the age-old family system.

© Rakesh Chandra

India.