Families
come in different varieties depending on the society or country. Families can
be divided into types according to different yardsticks. Families can be
classified into numerous varieties based on the number of husband and wife,
authority, family size, family status, place of residence, and the process of
selecting the bride and groom.
1. Family based on the numbers of husband and wife: based on these families of this
kind, there can be three types- the monogamous, polygynous, and polyandrous
family. A single or monogamous family can be formed by the matrimonial relation
between a man and a woman. A nuclear family is considered the most common type
of family worldwide. This type of family is regarded as an ideal family. In
this family structure, a friendly rapport is seen as the core of a husband and
wife's relationship. Again, the family that is formed through the marriage
between one man and many women is known as a polygyny family or a family having
many wives at a time. In this type of family, a single man can keep more than
one wife living at a time. Commonly, this sort of polygamous family is seen in
the agro-based local Muslim family.’ Such customs are also seen in the Eskimos
and in the Negro in Africa. A family of one wife having many husbands at a time
is known as a polyandrous family. “ This sort of family is not seen very
commonly in the modern civilized society ety. But in Tibet, there was a time
when it was customary for a wife to have many husbands. Besides, the family of
this category was also found among the Toda inhabitants of the Malagarh region
in southern India.
2. Family based on authority: Based on this, families of this
kind can be of two types: patriarchal and Matriarchal. In a patriarchal family,
the family's overall power and authority rest with male members, such as the
father, husband, or other elderly men. In these types of families, family name
and identification are determined by the male members. This type is more common
in Bangladeshi society. Again, a family whose authority and power are exercised
by the mother is known as a matriarchal family. In Bangladesh, families across
different ethnic communities, especially those of the Khasia and Garo, are
matriarchal.
3. Family based on the size: Based on this, families of this
kind can be of three types: single or nuclear family, joint family, and
extended family. A family in which the husband, wife, and their unmarried
children live together is known as a single or nuclear family. This family is
confined within two generations. These two generations mean a father and his
young children. Most families in our country's urban areas are nuclear
families. This tendency to keep a single family is also evident in rural areas,
but in civilized countries worldwide, this family system is prevalent. In a
joint family, the married son and his children live together under the
authority of their parents. As in a single family, the bonds of a joint family
develop through blood relations among family members. In rural areas of our
country, most families are joint. Now, the number of this type of joint family
is decreasing for various reasons. A family where the father and mother, their
children, their wives and children, and other relatives live together is
regarded as an extended family. In an extended family, parents' relatives may
remain included. This type of family can still be seen in our rural societies.
Such a family system is also seen in China.
4. Family based on the status and Inheritance of properties: Based on this, families of this
kind can be of two types – patrilineal and matrilineal families. In a
patrilineal family, children are entitled to the family status and to inherit
the father's property. This type of family is present in our social system. In
a matrilineal family, children gain family status and inherit property through
their mother. The maternal family stem still exists in the Khashia and Garo
communities.
5. Family based on Dwelling Place of Husband and Wife after
Marriage: Based on
this, families of this kind can be of three types: patrilocal, matrilocal, and
neo-local. A family in which the newly married couple lives in the husband’s
father’s house is called a patrilocal family. It is commonly seen in our social
system. A matrilocal family is one in which the newly married couple lives in
the wife’s father’s house. This family is found among the Garos. The married
couple does not live with the husband’s or the wife’s parents; rather, they
live in a new place known as a nonlocal family. This type of family is found among
service holders in urban areas.
6. Family based on the selection of bride and groom: Though muslim society does not
practice indulgence in case of marriage, the Hindu society bears testimony to
it. In the Hindu society, there are two types of marriage: Exogamous family and
Endogamous family. When a person marries outside of his own caste, it is called
exogamy. This family is of two types. When a bridegroom of a superior caste
marries a bride of a lower caste, it is called a morganatic or Anulome marriage
system. When a bridegroom of a lower caste marries a bride of an upper caste,
it is called a morganatic or protilome marriage. The root cause of this type of
marriage is to prevent incest in society. Again, if a person marries within the
same caste, it is called an Endogamous family. This type of Endogamous marriage
is more common in Hindu society. To protect the so-called blood bond and to
keep its purity intact are the only reasons behind this type of marriage.
Nowadays, many changes have taken place in forming such a family. Most Hindu
families consider this caste system to be superstitious.
Reference:
Bangladesh and Global Studies, Class 9-10, 2025
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