Changing Family Structures and Youth Socialization in Urban and Semi-Urban India: A Sociological Analysis.

Abstract

The present study examines the relationship between changing family structures and youth socialization in urban and semi-urban India from a sociological perspective. Rapid processes of urbanization, modernization, and socio-economic change have transformed traditional family systems, leading to the increasing prevalence of nuclear and single-parent families alongside the declining dominance of joint families. This transformation has significantly influenced the processes through which youth acquire social values, behavioral norms, and patterns of interaction. Using primary data collected from youth respondents in urban and semi-urban areas, the study analyzes variations in parental interaction, value orientation, discipline, decision-making autonomy, and the influence of alternative socialization agents such as peers, educational institutions, and digital media. The findings reveal that joint families continue to play a strong role in fostering collectivistic values and effective social control, while nuclear families, especially in urban settings, encourage greater individual autonomy and exposure to diverse social influences. The study concludes that family socialization in India is not declining but evolving, with important implications for youth development and family policy.