Family Transition in South Asia: Determinants and Implications

Weraduwage I. De Silva, University of Colombo

Although families in general have moved from being extended to being more nuclear, South Asian countries show diversity: the average size of the family ranges from relatively small nuclear to large extended. Recent trends in fertility, marriage dissolution, migration and urbanization, and age-structure that affect the family were studied in South Asian societies. Consequent to large scale migration of youth and the associated erosion of the extended family system, new social problems and disorders emerged. They paved the way for long-term demographic implications, such as declining fertility, aging, increased age at marriage and marriage dissolution. Thus the structure and functions of South Asian families have changed significantly. Female-headed households have become a steadily growing phenomenon. Nuclear families are particularly in crisis, both socially and economically, making the provision of social services and protection a necessity. Most of the welfare programs are remedial in nature, making recipients of their services dependents.