Shift in Family Dynamics as a Determinant of Weak Social Bonding: A Study of Indian Elderly

DOI: https://doi.org/10.32444/IJSW.2018.79.1.83-98 Rapid changes in socioeconomic patterns have weakened social bonding within the family, impacting way of life and sense of wellbeing, resulting in the lack of respect, deprivation and low status of the elderly in the family. The study examines the linkage between social bonding and familial dynamics of the elderly. The study uses the mixed methods approach and has been designed as an exploratory lead-in to a planned wider study. The findings of the study show that family members prefer to lead their own lives without any concern for the emotional, physical and personal needs of their old parents. The study has also found that the gradual nuclearisation of joint families, changes in value system and erosion of morality have weakened social bonding with the elderly.