Name: Nisha Sangwal
Country: India

Year: 2026
Volume: Volume-11, Issue-1, January-June 2026
Page Number: 770 – 775
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21337375

ABSTRACT
This paper is about those factors and social changes which are responsible for the disintegration of traditional family institution. Family is the major institution of the society. Without it the existence and continuity of the society is not possible. This is the most important primary group of society. It plays an important role in shaping the personality of its members through the process of socialization. It is the first to introduce its member to the society and fixes their duties towards the society. Reproduction, socialization, transmission of culture, providing emotional, financial, social and physical security to its member, developing personality of its family members, providing formal and informal knowledge through traditions, norms, values, mores, folkways, customs etc. are some of the main functions of the family. This institution is also known for its unity, integrity and social solidarity. It connected its members socially, religiously and spiritually into a strong bond.
But from the last centuries it faces many social problems due to many social changes. The family institution has been very much affected by these social changes as these changes influenced the solidarity of the family organization. The structure – (extended /joint to nuclear) composition-(size) and functions – (many of its functions is now being operated by the secondary institutions like functions related to recreation, health, education etc.) of family institution, all are affected by these social changes. In fact these changes are for the development of the society but it has adverse effect over the family institution. Furthermore factors such as individualism, urbanization, influence of western culture, developed means of transport and communication, rapid industrialization, decline of agricultural and cottage industries, over population and poverty, problem of privacy and accommodation, enlightenment of women, family quarrels etc. are some of the major factors responsible for its disintegration. Even the legislations such as Hindu Married Women’s Right to Separate Residence and Maintenance Act 1946, Hindu Marriage Act 1955, Hindu Succession Act 1956 formulated for the betterment of society also affected the family organization. In spite of betterment these factors and acts of legislation disorganized it and reduced both the size and functions of the family. This family disorganization further gave birth to many social problem like female foeticide, child marriage, child abuse, dowry, domestic violence, separation, divorce, broken families single women household, alcoholism, drug addiction, unemployment, etc. in the society. In this paper all these factors and problems are going to be discussed which are responsible for the declining of social values and importance of family institution.

KEYWORDS: Social changes, Disintegration, Primary Group, Socialization, Legislations, Social Problems.