Family Norms and Images in Transition

In an ever-changing world, the family continues to simultaneously symbolise persistence and transformation. This book looks at various shifts, ruptures and continuities in representations of contemporary Indian families. How the media conveys family norms and images as well as the nature of romantic relationships constitutes the book’s central approach, which connects the different discussions in it. Its chapters analyse documentary and feature films, promotional material, such as television commercials, and the usage of new media technologies in communication. The authors look at visualisations of familial change, ranging from split motherhood, new fatherhood and dysfunctional families to intergenerational relationships, including the pre-marriage stage of life. Aimed at an interdisciplinary readership interested in South Asian, gender and media studies, this book thus contributes to our understanding of the current—ideological and ‘lived’—reality of an Indian family.

With contributions by
Parul Bhandari, Nadja-Christina Schneider, Stefanie Strulik, Fritzi-Marie Titzmann