International conference discusses evolving role of families

As a result of globalisation and evolving social perspectives, the form and function of families have changed. With the migration and influx of different cultures, different perspectives on gender, childhood etc. are coming to the fore. Some of these imerging concepts were discussed at the ‘Changing World – Changing Families: Diversity and Synergy’ conference, held at Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS). The conference explored different relationships and interactions in context with the current economic and social scenario.

As part of one of the sessions, Nivedita Chalill, faculty member, TISS, discussed the role of families in supporting the work lives of people with severe and persistent mental illness. Her paper focused on families where one member between the age group of 30-60 years was suffering from a mental illness for more than five years. The session focused on vocational rehabilitation and how it could prove to be helpful to patients. “Most of my clients want to work, are able to work and yet work remains as one of the largest unmet needs of this group,” she said. 

Chalill looked at ten different families for commonalities among the different narratives. “What struck me first, were the complexities across time in terms of role of the family or resource allocation along the life cycle of the person with the mental illness as well as the primary care giver,” she said. She encouraged researchers to influence the narratives of such families by resisting social and institutional factors and finding a balance. 

In addition to focusing on families of persons with mental illnesses, another session by Srilatha Juvva, faculty member, TISS looked at psycho-educational strategies for helping families with disabled persons.  She focussed on the different approaches that a family as well as community must take to provide maximum accessibility to disabled persons. “Transitions are often ignored in such cases. It is important to provide a climate of trust to ensure that disabled people adapt well to work life,” she said.

Another session focused on the recognition and redistribution of ‘Unpaid Care Work (UCW)’ ventured by women. Indira Rani, programme manager, Action Aid Association, a Non Governmental Organisation, defined UCW as work done in the house for children or family members without wages. “It has no bearing on the Gross Domestic Product of the country and is tremendously undervalued by all of us,” she said adding that studies show that women devoted significantly more time (10 times) on UCW than men. 

According to Rani, this skewed workload creates gender inequality within the family, perpetuates poverty as well as social subordination. So what is the solution to this disparity? In addition to including UCW as an integral part of the government’s agenda, Rani mentioned a 4R strategy which might prove helpful. “It must start with Recognition of women’s care, followed by Reduction of work, Redistribution of work by engaging men and better Representation of women in policy bodies,” she said.