Malayalees prefer living in joint family

A survey conducted by Shaadi.com, a matrimonial website, has revealed that majority of the Malayalees prefer living in a joint family.

Around 62 per cent singles - both males and females - prefer living in a joint family post marriage, where the responsibility and happiness is shared amongst the ‘extended’ family members. It shows that owing to work pressures and sky-rocketing expenses, couples today find it difficult to balance the work-life equation and thus want family support around them.

Over 1,500 respondents participated in the survey, which found that the joint family system meant a sense of tight-knit community, security, trust and unity.

Gradually, owing to urbanisation and globalisation, the nuclear family lifestyle began to gain predominance in the Indian society in the early 1990s. Mainly the young, metro-settled, newlyweds who have the freedom from traditions and the opportunities for a career in commercialised areas became advocates of the nuclear family system.

When asked how educated their prospective partners should be, 65 per cent of the women opined to have a partner more educated than them and 67 per cent men wanted an equally qualified spouse. This highlights that majority of Malayalees prefer partners who are financially fit to ward off the negative vibes brought in by escalating prices.

Joint family becomes important here as the household chores would be equally divided amongst the family members. This would allow a young couple to dedicate more time and attention towards their work, minimising the pressure the pair normally goes through in a nuclear setup.

Commenting on the survey results, Gourav Rakshit, Chief Operating Officer, Shaadi.com, said: “We at Shaadi.com have noticed that with the hustle and bustle of the hectic lifestyle that each individual leads, peace and comfort are important luxuries today, which every single human being craves for. Most of the Malayalees feel that being in a joint family serves this purpose.

The sense of unity and security that a joint family provides cannot be found anywhere else. The poll is part of the constant research that Shaadi.com conducts in its attempt to gauge the preferences of its members.”