essay about family in nepali

Nepali Educate - Educational Resources for Class 11 & 12 Students

Essay on my family.

M y Family is the lovely family of the world and an important unit of the society. A small or a big family become of great importance to its members and considered as the strongest unit of the society because various families together make a nice society. A family becomes first school to the children where they receive all the cultures, traditions and most importantly the basic values of life. A family plays great roles in teaching good manners and habits to the new comers in the family. It helps in nourishing a better character person in the society. I am really feeling my good fortunate to be born in a small nice family where I learnt everything in the early childhood.

Actually, I belong to the middle-class family having six members (mother, father, grandparents, me and my younger sister). Every one of us follows the orders of my grandfather because he is the head of the family. We really respect and enjoy his commanding position in the family. He is the great person because he had performed various adventurous activities in his time. He always thinks about our wellness and takes right decision for us. His decision becomes final in all the family matters. He sits on the front chair on the dining table. He takes our class in the early morning and evening to teach us Indian cultures and traditions. He is a very cool personality and friendly person of the family however every one of us do not have dare to go against him. He is very effective person and wins everyone’s heart through nice talk. He is very old however helps us in doing our home works because he was teacher. He teaches us about the tools of success in the life such as discipline, punctuality, cleanliness, moral, hard work and continuity. 

My grandmother is also a nice woman and tells us nice stories every night. My father is a principal of the school and like discipline very much. He is very punctual, sincere and hardworking in nature. He teaches us also that when you eat time, time will really eat you one day so never waste time and use it in positive ways. My mom is a sweet and very simple housewife. She cares every member of the family and makes a happy environment in the family every day. She gives special care to the grandparents and kids as well as always helps poor and needy people in the society. We have always been taught from our childhood to love and respect elders and help needy people on the way. My sweet small family is really full of love, care, peace, prosperity, and discipline. 

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Nepali Familial Relationships (Immediate Family)

As in many South Asian cultures, Nepali relational terms is very family-centric, respect-based, and gendered. As you venture beyond immediate family, terms change depending on the family member’s relation to you paternally or maternally. In this lesson, we will go over terms for immediate family and how some of these terms are used colloquially for non-family members.

Father =  बाबा ( bābā ) Mother = आमा ( āmā ) *There are no terms for step-mother or step-father as this is very uncommon

Grandfather = बाजे ( bāje ); हजुरबुवा ( hajurbuwā ) Grandmother = बज्यै ( bajyai ); हजुरआमा ( hajurāmā ) *The terms for Grandfather and Grandmother are the same on both sides of the family. It is also not uncommon to refer to people who are much older than you and  not related to you as hajurbuwa or hajurama.

Granddaughter = नातिनी ( nātinī ) Grandson = नाति ( nāti )

Elder brother = दाइ ( dāi ) *Dai is also a friendly term for any older male in your life. You may refer to a older male friend or colleague as Dai. Additionally, if you walk into a tea shop or food stall, it is common to refer to this stranger as Dai.

Older male = जेठो (Jēṭhō) *This word is used to distinguish an older male sibling. You would not call your older brother Jetho Dai, instead this is used to describe their relationship to you. For example, if someone asks about your brother’s names, you would distinguish the older from the younger: “Mero jetho dai ko naam John ho” “ My older brother’s name is John” .

Elder sister = दिदी ( didī ) *As with Dai, Didi is also a friendly term for any older non-relative woman in your life. You may refer to a older female friend, colleague, or stranger as Didi.

Older female = जेठी (Jēṭhī) *This word is used to distinguish an oldest female sibling. You would not call your oldest sister Jethi Didi, instead this is used to describe their relationship to you. For example, if someone asks about your sister’s names, you would distinguish the oldest from the others: “Mero jethi didi ko naam Sara ho” “ My oldest sister’s name is Sara” .

Younger brother = भाइ ( bhāi ) *As well as a direct term for your younger brother, Bhai is also friendly term for all younger males who are not related to you.

Younger male = कान्छो (kānchhō) *This word is used to distinguish an younger male sibling or son. You would not call your youngest brother kanchho bhai, instead this is used to describe their relationship to you. For example, if someone asks about your brother’s names, you would distinguish the youngest from the others: “Mero kanchho bhai ko naam Ram ho” “ My youngest brother’s name is Ram” . Further, if he is the youngest family member, or male in the social setting, people may refer to him (or you) as Kanchho as a term of endearment.

Younger sister = बहिनी ( bahinī ) **As well as a direct term for your younger sister, Bahini is also friendly term for all younger females who are not related to you.

Younger female = कान्छी (Kānchhī) **This word is used to distinguish an youngest female sibling or daughter. You would not call your youngest sister kanchhi bahini, instead this is used to describe their relationship to you/refer to them. For example, if someone asks about your sister’s names, you would distinguish the youngest from the rest: “Mero kanchhi bahini ko naam Rama ho” “ My youngest sister’s name is Rama” . Further, if she is the youngest family member, or female in the social setting, people may refer to her (or you) as Kanchhi as a term of endearment.

Daughter =  छोरी ( chorī ) Son =  छोरा ( chorā )

Husband = श्रीमान् ( śrīmān ) or बुढा ( buḍhā ) Wife = श्रीमती ( śrīmatī ) or बुढी ( buḍhī ) *Budha and Budhi translate to old-man and old-woman. It is more polite to ask about someone’s husband or wife using sriman or srimati. They (or you) may refer to their spouse as budha or budhi.

Practice your knowledge of immediate familial terms below. Flashcards will show the Nepali word. Please type the English translation:

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Nepali Essay Topics Lists | Nibandha Lekhan

Here I have put some Nepali essays (nibandha) which are frequently asked in exams:

Here are your tips to write an essay.

Here is the topic list of Nepali Essay :

1 नेपाल

2 मेरो देश

3 सगरमाथा

4 मेरो देश मेरो गौरव

5 नेपालको राष्ट्रिय झण्डा

6 नेपालको राष्ट्रिय जनवार

7 तिज

8 दशैँ

9 तिहार

10 होली

11 नेपाली चाडपर्वहरु

12 नेपालको सस्कृति

13 पुस्तकालय

14 गाउँले जीवन

15 सहरिया जीवन

16 शिक्षाको महत्व

17 मेरि आमा

18 मेरो बुबा

19 मेरो परिवार

20 मेरो मिल्ने साथी

21 मेरो विद्यालय

22 मेरो घर

23 मेरो गाउँ

24 पानीको महत्व

25 हाम्रो स्वास्थ्य

26 स्वास्थ्य नै धन हो

27 वाताबरण

28 विधार्थी जीवन

29 अनुशासन

30 विधार्थी जीवनमा अनुशासनको महत्व

31 भ्रष्टाचार

32 लोकतन्त्र

33 प्राविधिक शिक्षाको महत्व

34 विज्ञान र प्रबिधि

35 संचार प्रविधि

36 सरस्वती पुजा

37 गाईको बारेमा निबन्ध

38 कुकुर बारेमा निबन्ध

39 महिला हिंसा

40 मेरो जन्मस्थान

41 फूलबारी

42 इन्टरनेट

43 मोबाइल

44 टेलिभिजन

45 फुटवल

46 क्रिकेट

47 मेरो जीवनको लक्ष्य

48 नेपालको विकाशमा पर्यटनको महत्व

49 प्राकृतिक स्रोतहरु

50 मनपर्ने खेल

51 मनपर्ने खानेकुरा

52 नेपालको राजनीतिक अवस्था

53 वायु प्रदूषण

54 नेपालको भौगोलिक अवस्था

Also read:   मेरो विद्यालय।

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The Effect of Migration on Family in Nepal: A Review on the Family Structure, Livelihood, Education, Aging Parents, Reproductive Health and Marital Relationship

2021, Open Journal for Anthropological Studies

This study analyzes the effect of migration on the left-behind family members in Nepal especially focusing on the family structure, livelihood, education, aging parents, reproductive health, and marital relationship. The review was done based on the published journal articles, dissertations, and organizational reports from 2015-2020 to explore the areas impacted by the migration. Seven thematic areas emerged and found both positive and adverse effects and association of migration on left behind family members of the migrants. The review also found the need for further research on the ways of communicating and supporting between migrants and left behind family members to reduce the adverse effect of the migration on the left behind members of the family. Furthermore, field studies can concentrate on ways to enable women to learn skills, techniques and technology to increase production and diversify livelihoods.

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Though, the migration process and its impact in the household economy has been extensively studied in the academic sectors, but much less attention has been given to the impact of female labor migration on the family members who are left behind at home. This paper attempts to determine socio-economic structure of female labor migrants from Tanahun District of Gandaki Province, Nepal. Similarly, it also attempts to analyze the causes of female migration, process and dynamics of foreign labor migration and its impact on the left behind family specially children and elder citizens at home. For this purpose, 180 households have been purposefully selected from three municipalities and conducted household survey through snowball methods. According to the survey findings, married women are preferred to go for abroad, whereas the age of migration is after 30 years. Literate are very less migrated for foreign labor. Majority of the female migrants preferred to go to Gulf Cooperation Council ...

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The export of labor has become a lucrative industry in Nepal. The research methodology involves both qualitative and quantitative frameworks that have been used in ethnographic field research techniques. In the study area (Titiheriya, Samserganja and Rajhena of Banke District, Province No. 5). A total 972 young adults left "home" to work as migrant workers in the Gulf, Malaysia, India and Middle Eastern countries in 2017/18. Among the households fitting this criterion, 180 migrant households have been selected for the detailed study. This study explores the impacts of migration on the livelihoods of households in Banke District, mid-western Nepal. Household surveys and focus group discussions were used to explore the different dimensions of migration and livelihood issues, such as preference of work by the migrants, household units of the migrants, socioeconomic mobility, remittance investment pattern, impacts on living standard, vulnerability in households as, and investments for migration issues. In terms of securing livelihoods, people value land as a major asset-higher quality jobs with handsome earnings motivate them to migrate to major cities so as to secure a high standard of livelihood. The findings of this study have shown a largely positive outlook of migration in terms of livelihood security. This paper reflects the wider themes with respect to socioeconomic determinants of access and opportunity. Regardless of whether migration is an accumulative process or a coping strategy, most migrants receive little support and live in very difficult conditions at their destinations. Besides, the people who have travelled for foreign employment, five of them returned home in coffins, making the lucrative labour migration one of the deadliest and costliest affairs for the community. Would it be better to bring methods here? Thus, a rights-based approach to guarantee the overall security of migrants is needed.

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Through the prism of a Nepali remittance village, this book critically examines poverty and livelihood dynamics remade through transnational labour migration and remittances, and their interrelationships with land, rural labour and agriculture. The concept of The Remittance Village emphasises rural people’s transnational mobilities as a key feature of contemporary dynamics in many parts of the Global South, which are reconfiguring rural social, economic and ecological textures. Sunam challenges complacent linear narratives that assume new opportunities such as transnational migration, and remittances provide better pathways for the rural poor to come out of poverty, as well as narratives that understate the importance of land and farming for the rural poor. He demonstrates both that new opportunities are inaccessible for many poor people and that accessing these opportunities often engenders increased precarity and vulnerability. In The Remittance Village, he finds that even those accessing new opportunities are successful only when their household member(s) are simultaneously engaged in in-situ (non-)agricultural activities. This book is a valuable resource for scholars and students from a range of interdisciplinary backgrounds, including human geography, anthropology of development, and sociology. It is also recommended reading for policy makers, international development agencies and I/NGOs working on rural development in the Global South. https://www.routledge.com/Transnational-Labour-Migration-Livelihoods-and-Agrarian-Change-in-Nepal/Sunam/p/book/9780367471569

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This paper attempts to describe impacts of migration on poverty reduction at individual, households, community and national level. Both internal and international migration phenomenon including working environment of migrants are analyzed. The paper is based on secondary sources of information with aim of find evidence on linkages between migration and poverty at individual, household and community and National levels. Migration phenomenon has shown the evidences of in reducing poverty level but migrants are being compelled to work in an exploitative and unhygienic environment. Female migrants are being more victims of exploitation than male migrants. The poverty reduction has been gained in return of exploitative and health hazards working environment of migrants can be considered as an injustice to migrants and their place of origin as well as countries of origin.

Feminist Economics

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Applied Geography

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This study investigates agricultural land use change in Chitwan, Nuwakot and Lamjung districts of Nepal during 1990 –2017 in relation to rural outmigration. Agriculture in Nepal is characterized by subsistence farming, low productivity, limited access to markets, constraints of terrain, poor economic returns, and vulnerability to natural hazards now exacerbated by climate change. These challenging circumstances are further compounded by several physical, environmental and socioeconomic challenges, including from labour outmigration. Outmigration has steadily increased over the past two decades, and a remittance economy has fuelled urbanization processes as well as transformations in the rural economy. Data was collected from three selected districts, representing two different agro-ecological zones - the mountains and plains (Terai). We use an interdisciplinary approach integrating macro scale and longitudinal geospatial analysis with quantitative econometric causal analysis and par...

Migration and Development

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This study describes the nature of migration and its socioreproductive impacts in Nepal. This study utilized the household survey data conducted between April to August 2013, and 15 qualitative interviews with migrants or their family members. About 29.9% of households had at least one member migrated. Almost all migrants (98%) were male with a majority (73.1%) being the husbands of women interviewed. Logistic regression showed the higher proportion of migration in the Western (38.1%) and the Far-western (33.1%) regions of Nepal. The study explored that migration resulted in positive improvements such as meeting family aspirations and economy, and negative impacts such as deception by their employers, feeling loneliness due to separation, an experience of conflicting marital relations, and termination of pregnancy and inability to conceive a baby.

Sarah Speck

Massive outmigration from the Hill Region of Nepal has various implications for the older people left behind. This article assesses their situation and the challenges they face. To capture older people’s experiences and views on the effects of outmigration on their living conditions, I applied a livelihoods perspective. This study, based on in-depth qualitative interviews and group discussions carried out in 3 mountain villages, found that outmigration has had a profound effect on local economic and social conditions. Economic effects have included reduction and in some cases abandonment of agricultural land due to lack of labor. Socially, the elderly have experienced disrespect and neglect from the young, and they lament the demise of traditional Nepalese norms and values in society and in the family. Outmigration in combination with shifting demographics has created entirely new life situations for the elderly and has made their lives more difficult. This article contributes to an underresearched topic relevant to the mountain regions of the global South and draws attention to a social group that has frequently been overlooked in both development and migration research. Keywords: Outmigration; population aging; rural aging; elderly; livelihood strategies; Nepal.

Remittances Review

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The debates over and interest in remittances have grown significantly in the last decade or so. This is mainly due to the growth in the volume of remittances sent and received around the world which exceeded 600 billion USD per annum. Despite a burgeoning literature, most studies focus on the receiving end. However, it takes two to tango. The circumstances of those sending and the impact of sending remittances on the sending parties are equally important. The determinants of each and every transfer, the motivations to send money and its impact on further migrations, integration and beyond needs to be understood. More studies needed to understand sending behaviour and dynamics. Patterns of remittance sending should be examined from both sending and receiving perspectives. Another weak area in the literature is the remittance flows into industrialised countries (or traditional destination countries). These flows represent about a third of global remittance flows and yet to receive ade...

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Daily life of an ordinary Nepali family

Nepal is a developing country and the people residing here are very simple. Although there is a shortage of many basic facilities, which in most of the developed countries are taken for granted, people here manage to lead a comfortable life with whatever they have. The happy-go-lucky personality of the Nepalese is one of the major reasons for them leading a comfortable life amidst the shortage. Simple people have a simple life and so is the life of a Nepali which remains pretty much similar almost every day.

An ordinary day of an ordinary Nepali begins early in the morning at about five or six in the morning. They take bath and freshen up and sit for puja (worship). Married women and old wo/men perform longer puja than the man while some of them these days do not consider it as the first priority. After performing the pujas, the mother prepares tea and serves it to the family members. The family members after finishing their tea and breakfast involve themselves into their respective works like doing homework, reading newspaper, helping the mother in the kitchen and while she starts the preparation of the morning meal. The morning meal consists of dal (lentil soup), bhat (rice) and tarkari (vegetable) usually complimented with a spicy achar (bottled pickle) or chutney ( fresh pickle) . The achar is usually made up of radish or cucumber or mango and sometimes even red chilies while the chutney is made up of tomato and coriander or simply tomato. And also, sesame seed powdered pickle is common in the Nepali household.

The lunch is ready by the time everyone returns home and after lunch, the children go to play for an hour or two and then come finish their homework or vice versa. The mother involves herself in preparing for dinner, which is similar to the morning meal except the fact that the vegetable prepared is different this time, the daughter, depending on her age and homework, helps her mother. The father enjoys TV until the dinner is ready and the whole family sits together to eat. After dinner, kids along with their father watch TV and the mother joins them only after finishing her kitchen work i.e. cleaning pots and kitchen. A glass of milk is usually considered as compulsion for each member of the family before going to bed as it is believed that drinking milk helps in sleeping well. They go to bed usually after 9 or 10pm. And the next morning, the same routine starts.

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• Countries and Their Cultures
• Culture of Nepal

Culture Name

Alternative name, orientation.

Identification. Nepal is named for the Kathmandu Valley, where the nation's founder established a capital in the late eighteenth century. Nepali culture represents a fusion of Indo-Aryan and Tibeto-Mongolian influences, the result of a long history of migration, conquest, and trade.

Location and Geography. Nepal is a roughly rectangular country with an area of 147,181 square miles (381,200 square kilometers). To the south, west, and east it is bordered by Indian states; to the north lies Tibet. Nepal is home to the Himalayan Mountains, including Mount Everest. From the summit of Everest, the topography plunges to just above sea level at the Gangetic Plain on the southern border. This drop divides the country into three horizontal zones: the high mountains, the lush central hills, and the flat, arid Terai region in the south. Fast-moving, snow-fed rivers cut through the hills and mountains from north to south, carving deep valleys and steep ridges. The rugged topography has created numerous ecological niches to which different ethnic groups have adapted. Although trade has brought distinct ethnic groups into contact, the geography has created diversity in language and subsistence practices. The result is a country with over thirty-six ethnic groups and over fifty languages.

Demography. The population in 1997 was just over 22.6 million. Although infant mortality rates are extremely high, fertility rates are higher. High birth rates in rural areas have led to land shortages, forcing immigration to the Terai, where farmland is more plentiful, and to urban areas, where jobs are available. Migration into cities has led to over-crowding and pollution. The Kathmandu Valley has a population of approximately 700,000.

Linguistic Affiliation. After conquering much of the territory that constitutes modern Nepal, King Prithvi Narayan Shah (1743–1775) established Gorkhali (Nepali) as the national language. Nepali is an Indo-European language derived from Sanskrit with which it shares and most residents speak at least some Nepali, which is the medium of government, education, and most radio and television broadcasts. For many people Nepali is secondary to the language of their ethnic group or region. This situation puts certain groups at a disadvantage in terms of education and civil service positions. Since the institution of a multiparty democracy in 1990, linguistic issues have emerged as hotly debated topics.

Symbolism. The culture has many symbols from Hindu and Buddhist sources. Auspicious signs, including the ancient Hindu swastika and Shiva's trident, decorate buses, trucks, and walls. Other significant symbols are the emblems (tree, plow, sun) used to designate political parties.

Prominent among symbols for the nation as a whole are the national flower and bird, the rhododendron and danfe; the flag; the plumed crown worn by the kings; and the crossed kukhris (curved knives) of the Gurkhas, mercenary regiments that have fought for the British Army in a number of wars. Images of the current monarch and the royal family are displayed in many homes and places of business. In nationalistic rhetoric the metaphor of a garden with many different kinds of flowers is used to symbolize national unity amid cultural diversity.

History and Ethnic Relations

The birth of the nation is dated to Prithvi Narayan Shah's conquest of the Kathmandu Valley kingdoms in 1768. The expansionist reigns of Shah and his successors carved out a territory twice the size of modern Nepal. However, territorial clashes with the Chinese in the late eighteenth century and the British in the early nineteenth century pushed the borders back to their current configuration.

National Identity. To unify a geographically and culturally divided land, Shah perpetuated the culture and language of high-caste Hindus and instituted a social hierarchy in which non-Hindus as well as Hindus were ranked according to caste-based principles. Caste laws were further articulated in the National Code of 1854.

By privileging the language and culture of high-caste Hindus, the state has marginalized non-Hindu and low-caste groups. Resentment in recent years has led to the organization of ethnopolitical parties, agitation for minority rights, and talk about the formation of a separate state for Mongolian ethnic groups.

Despite ethnic unrest, Nepalis have a strong sense of national identity and pride. Sacred Hindu and Buddhist sites and the spectacular mountains draw tourists and pilgrims and give citizens a sense of importance in the world. Other natural resources, such as rivers and flora and fauna are a source of national pride.

Hindu castes and Buddhist and animist ethnic groups were historically collapsed into a single caste hierarchy. At the top are high-caste Hindus. Below them are alcohol-drinking ( matwali ) castes, which include Mongolian ethnic groups. At the bottom are untouchable Hindu castes that have traditionally performed occupations considered defiling by higher castes. The Newars of the Kathmandu Valley have a caste system that has been absorbed into the national caste hierarchy.

Historically, members of the highest castes have owned the majority of land and enjoyed the greatest political and economic privileges. Members of lower castes have been excluded from political representation and economic opportunities. The untouchable castes were not permitted to own land, and their civil liberties were circumscribed by law. Caste discrimination is officially illegal but has not disappeared. In 1991, 80 percent of positions in the civil service, army, and police were occupied by members of the two highest castes.

Urbanism, Architecture, and the Use of Space

Nepal historically was one of the least urbanized countries in the world, but urbanization is accelerating, especially in the capital, and urban sprawl and pollution have become serious problems. Kathmandu and the neighboring cities of Patan and Bhaktapur are known for pagoda-style and shikhara temples, Buddhist stupas, palaces, and multistory brick houses with elaborately carved wooden door frames and screened windows. Although the largest and most famous buildings are well maintained, many smaller temples and older residential buildings are falling into disrepair.

At the height of British rule in India, the Rana rulers incorporated Western architectural styles into palaces and public buildings. Rana palaces convey a sense of grandeur and clear separation from the peasantry. The current king's palace's scale and fortress-like quality illustrate the distance between king and commoner.

Rural architecture is generally very simple, reflecting the building styles of different caste and ethnic groups, the materials available, and the climate. Rural houses generally have one or two stories and are made of mud brick with a thatched roof. Village houses tend to be clustered in river valleys or along ridge tops.

Food and Economy

Food in Daily Life. Many Nepalis do not feel that they have eaten a real meal unless it has included a sizable helping of rice. Most residents eat a large rice meal twice a day, usually at midmorning and in the early evening. Rice generally is served with dal, a lentil dish, and tarkari, a cooked vegetable. Often, the meal includes a pickle achar, made of a fruit or vegetable. In poorer and higher-altitude areas, where rice is scarce, the staple is dhiro, a thick mush made of corn or millet. In areas where wheat is plentiful, rice may be supplemented by flat bread, roti. Most families eat from individual plates while seated on the floor. Though some urbanites use Western utensils, it is more common to eat with the hands.

Conventions regarding eating and drinking are tied to caste. Orthodox high-caste Hindus are strictly vegetarian and do not drink alcohol. Other castes may drink alcohol and eat pork and even beef. Traditionally, caste rules also dictate who may eat with or accept food from whom. Members of the higher castes were particularly reluctant to eat food prepared by strangers. Consequently, eating out has not been a major part of the culture. However, caste rules are relaxing to suit the modern world, and the tourist economy is making restaurants a common feature of urban life.

Food Customs at Ceremonial Occasions. At weddings and other important life-cycle events, feasts are generally hosted by the families directly involved, and numerous guests are invited. At such occasions, it is customary to seat guests on woven grass mats on the ground outside one's home, often in lines separating castes and honoring people of high status. Food is served on leaf plates, which can be easily disposed of. These customs, however, like most others, vary by caste-ethnic groups, and are changing rapidly to suit modern tastes.

Basic Economy. The large majority of the people are subsistence farmers who grow rice, maize, millet, barley, wheat, and vegetables. At low altitudes, agriculture is the principal means of subsistence, while at higher altitudes agropastoralism prevails. Many households maintain chickens and goats. However, few families own more than a small number of cows, water buffalo, or yaks because the mountainous topography does not provide grazing land for large animals.

Nepal is one of the poorest countries in the world. This poverty can be attributed to scarce natural resources, a difficult terrain, landlocked geography, and a weak infrastructure but also to feudal land tenure systems, government corruption, and the ineffectiveness of development efforts. Foreign aid rarely goes to the neediest sectors of the population but is concentrate in urban areas, providing jobs for the urban middle class. The name of the national currency is rupee.

Land Tenure and Property. Historically, a handful of landlords held most agricultural land. Civil servants often were paid in land grants, governing their land on an absentee basis and collecting taxes from tenant-farming peasants. Since the 1950s, efforts have been made to protect the rights of tenants, but without the redistribution of land.

Overpopulation has exacerbated land shortages. Nearly every acre of arable land has been farmed intensively. Deforestation for wood and animal fodder has created serious erosion.

Commercial Activities. The majority of commercial activity takes place at small, family-owned shops or in the stalls of sidewalk vendors. With the exception of locally grown fruits and vegetables, many products are imported from India and, to a lesser extent, China and the West. Jute, sugar, cigarettes, beer, matches, shoes, chemicals, cement, and bricks are produced locally. Carpet and garment manufacturing has increased significantly, providing foreign exchange. Since the late 1950s, tourism has increased rapidly; trekking, mountaineering, white-water rafting, and canoeing have drawn tourists from the West and other parts of Asia. The tourism industry has sparked the commercial production of crafts and souvenirs and created a number of service positions, such as trekking guides and porters. Tourism also has fueled the black market, where drugs are sold and foreign currency is exchanged.

Major Industries. There was no industrial development until the middle of the twentieth century. Much of earliest industrial development was accomplished with the help of private entrepreneurs from India and foreign aid from the Soviet Union, China, and the West. Early development focused on the use of jute, sugar, and tea; modern industries include the manufacturing of brick, tile, and construction materials; paper making; grain processing; vegetable oil extraction; sugar refining; and the brewing of beer.

Trade. Nepal is heavily dependent on trade from India and China. The large majority of imported goods pass through India. Transportation of goods is limited by the terrain. Although roads connect many major commercial centers, in much of the country goods are transported by porters and pack animals. The few roads are difficult to maintain and subject to landslides and flooding. Railroads in the southern flatlands connect many Terai cities to commercial centers in India but do not extend into the hills. Nepal's export goods include carpets, clothing, leather goods, jute, and grain. Tourism is another primary export commodity. Imports include gold, machinery and equipment, petroleum products, and fertilizers.

Division of Labor. Historically, caste was loosely correlated with occupational specialization. Tailors, smiths, and cobblers were the lowest, untouchable castes, and priests and warriors were the two highest Hindu castes. However, the large majority of people are farmers, an occupation that is not caste-specific.

Social Stratification

Classes and Castes. Historically, caste and class status paralleled each other, with the highest castes having the most land, capital, and political influence. The lowest castes could not own property or receive an education. Although caste distinctions are no longer supported by law, caste relations have shaped present-day social stratification: Untouchables continue to be the poorest sector of society, while the upper castes tend to be wealthy and politically dominant. While land is still the principal measure of wealth, some castes that specialize in trade and commerce have fared better under modern capitalism than have landowning castes. Changes in the economic and political system have opened some opportunities for members of historically disadvantaged castes.

Political Life

Government. The Shah dynasty has ruled the country since its unification, except during the Rana period from the mid-nineteenth to the mid-twentieth century. During the Rana administration, the Shah monarchs were stripped of power and the country was ruled by a series of prime ministers from the Rana noble family. In 1950, the Shah kings were restored to the throne and a constitutional monarchy was established that eventually took the form of the panchayat system. Under this system, political parties were illegal and the country was governed by local and national assemblies controlled by the palace. In 1990, the Movement for the Restoration of Democracy (People's Movement) initiated a series of popular demonstrations for democratic reforms, eventually forcing the king to abolish the panchayat system and institute a multiparty democracy.

The country is divided administratively into fourteen zones and seventy-five districts. Local and district-level administers answer to national ministries that are guided by policies set by a bicameral legislature made up of a House of Representatives and a National Council. The majority party in the House of Representatives appoints the prime minister. The executive branch consists of the king and the Council of Ministers.

Leadership and Political Officials. The government is plagued by corruption, and officials often rely on bribes to supplement their income. It is widely believed that influence and employment in government are achieved through personal and family connections. The king is viewed with ambivalence. He and his family have been criticized for corruption and political repression, but photos of the royal family are a popular symbol of national identity and many people think of the king as the living embodiment of the nation and an avatar of the god Vishnu.

Social Problems and Control. International attention has focused on the plight of girls who have been lured or abducted from villages to work as prostitutes in Indian cities and child laborers in carpet factories. Prostitution has increased the spread of AIDS. Foreign boycotts of Nepali carpets have helped curb the use of child labor but have not addressed the larger social problems that force children to become family wage earners.

Military Activity. The military is small and poorly equipped. Its primary purpose is to reinforce the police in maintaining domestic stability. Some Royal Nepal Army personnel have served in United Nations peacekeeping forces. A number of Nepalis, particularly of the hill ethnic groups, have served in Gurkha regiments. To many villagers, service in the British Army represents a significant economic opportunity, and in some areas soldiers' remittances support the local economy.

Nongovernmental Organizations and Other Associations

Aid organizations are involved in health care, family planning, community development, literacy, women's rights, and economic development for low castes and tribal groups. However, many projects are initiated without an understanding of the physical and cultural environment and serve the interests of foreign companies and local elites.

Gender Roles and Statuses

Division of Labor by Gender. Only men plow, while fetching water is generally considered women's work. Women cook, care for children, wash clothes, and collect firewood and fodder. Men perform the heavier agricultural tasks and often engage in trade, portering, and other work outside the village. Both men and women perform physically demanding labor, but women tend to work longer hours, have less free time, and die younger. In urban areas, men are far more likely to work outside the home. Increasingly, educational opportunities are available to both men and women, and there are women in professional positions. Women also frequently work in family businesses as shopkeepers and seamstresses.

Children and older people are a valuable source of household labor. In rural families, young children collect firewood, mind animals, and watch younger children. Older people may serve on village councils. In urban areas and larger towns, children attend school; rural children may or may not, depending on the proximity of schools, the availability of teachers, and the work required of them at home.

The Relative Status of Women and Men. Women often describe themselves as "the lower caste" in relation to men and generally occupy a subordinate social position. However, the freedoms and opportunities available to women vary widely by ethnic group and caste. Women of the highest castes have their public mobility constrained, for their reputation is critical to family and caste honor. Women of lower castes and classes often play a larger wage-earning role, have greater mobility, and are more outspoken around men. Gender roles are slowly shifting in urban areas, where greater numbers of women are receiving an education and joining the work force.

Marriage, Family, and Kinship

Hindu castes do not generally approve of cross-cousin marriage, which is preferred among some Mongolian ethnic groups. Among some groups, a brideprice substitutes for a dowry. In others, clan exogamy is an important feature of marriages. Until recently, polygyny was legal and relatively common. Now it is illegal and found only in the older generation and in remote areas. Child marriages were considered especially auspicious, and while they continue to be practiced in rural areas, they are now prohibited by law. Love marriage is gaining in popularity in the cities, where romantic films and music inform popular sentiment and the economy offers younger people economic independence from the extended family.

Domestic Unit. Among landholding Hindu castes, a high value is placed on joint family arrangements in which the sons of a household, along with their parents, wives, and children, live together, sharing resources and expenses. Within the household, the old have authority over the young, and men over women. Typically, new daughters-in-law occupy the lowest position. Until a new bride has produced children, she is subject to the hardest work and often the harshest criticism in her husband's household. Older women, often wield a great deal of influence within the household.

The emphasis in joint families is on filial loyalty and agnatic solidarity over individualism. In urban areas, an increasing number of couples are opting for nuclear family arrangements.

Inheritance. Fathers are legally obligated to leave equal portions of land to each son. Daughters do not inherit paternal property unless they remain unmarried past age thirty-five. Although ideally sons manage their father's land together as part of a joint family, familial land tends to be divided, with holdings diminishing in every generation.

Kin Groups. Patrilineal kin groups form the nucleus of households, function as corporate units, and determine inheritance patterns. A man belongs permanently to the kinship group of his father, while a woman changes membership from her natal kin group to the kin group of her husband at the time of marriage. Because family connections are critical in providing access to political influence and economic opportunities, marriage alliances are planned carefully to expand kinship networks and strengthen social ties. Although women join the husband's household, they maintain emotional ties and contact with their families. If a woman is mistreated in her husband's household, she may escape to her father's house or receive support from her male kin. Consequently, women often prefer to marry men from the same villages.

Socialization

Infant Care. Infants are carried on the mothers' back, held by a shawl tied tightly across her chest. Babies are breast-fed on demand, and sleep with their mothers until they are displaced by a new baby or are old enough to share a bed with siblings. Infants and small children often wear amulets and bracelets to protect them from supernatural forces. Parents sometimes line a baby's eyes with kohl to prevent eye infections.

Child Rearing and Education. Mothers are the primary providers of child care, but children also are cared for and socialized by older siblings, cousins, and grandparents. Often children as young as five or six mind younger children. Neighbors are entitled to cuddle, instruct, and discipline children, who are in turn expected to obey and defer to senior members of the family and community. Children address their elders by using the honorific form of Nepali, while adults speak to children using more familiar language. Because authority in households depends on seniority, the relative ages of siblings is important and children are often addressed by birth order.

Certain household rituals mark key stages in child's development, including the first taste of rice and the first haircut. When a girl reaches puberty, she goes through a period of seclusion in which she is prohibited from seeing male family members. Although she may receive special foods and is not expected to work, the experience is an acknowledgment of the pollution associated with female sexuality and reproductivity.

From an early age, children are expected to contribute labor to the household. The law entitles both girls and boys to schooling; however, if a family needs help at home or cannot spare the money for uniforms, books, and school fees, only the sons are sent to school. It is believed that education is wasted on girls, who will marry and take their wage-earning abilities to another household. Boys marry and stay at home, and their education is considered a wise investment.

The customary greeting is to press one's palms together in front of the chest and say namaste ("I greet the god within you"). Men in urban areas have adopted the custom of shaking hands. In the mainstream culture, physical contact between the sexes is not appropriate in public. Although men may be openly affectionate with men and women with women, even married couples do not demonstrate physical affection in public. Some ethnic groups permit more open contact between the sexes.

Hospitality is essential. Guests are always offered food and are not permitted to help with food preparation or cleaning after a meal. It is polite to eat with only the right hand; the hand used to eat food must not touch anything else until it has been thoroughly washed, for saliva is considered defiling. When drinking from a common water vessel, people do not touch the rim to their lips. It is insulting to hit someone with a shoe or sandal, point the soles of one's feet at someone, and step over a person.

Religious Beliefs. Eighty-six percent of Nepalis are Hindus, 8 percent are Buddhists, 4 percent are Muslims, and just over 1 percent are Christians. On a day-to-day level, Hindus practice their religion by "doing puja, " making offerings and prayers to particular deities. While certain days and occasions are designated as auspicious, this form of worship can be performed at any time.

Buddhism is practiced in the Theravadan form. There are two primary Buddhist traditions: the Buddhism of Tibetan refugees and high-altitude ethnic groups with cultural roots in Tibet and the Tantric form practiced by Newars.

There is a strong animistic and shamanic tradition. Belief in ghosts, spirits, and witchcraft is widespread, especially in rural areas. Spiteful witches, hungry ghosts, and angry spirits are thought to inflict illness and misfortune. Shamans mediate between the human and supernatural realms to discover the cause of illness and recommend treatment.

Religious Practitioners. Many forms of Hindu worship do not require the mediation of a priest. At key rites of passage such as weddings and funerals, Brahmin priests read Vedic scriptures and ensure the correct performance of rituals. At temples, priests care for religious icons, which are believed to contain the essence of the deities they represent. They are responsible for ensuring the purity of the temple and overseeing elaborate pujas.

Buddhist monasteries train young initiates in philosophy and meditation. Lay followers gain religious merit by making financial contributions to monasteries, where religious rites are performed on behalf of the general population. Within Buddhism there is a clerical hierarchy, with highly esteemed lamas occupying the positions of greatest influence. Monks and nuns of all ranks shave their heads, wear maroon robes, and embrace a life of celibacy and religious observance.

Rituals and Holy Places. Nepal occupies a special place in both Hindu and Buddhist traditions. According to Hindu mythology, the Himalayas are the abode of the gods, and are specifically associated with Shiva, one of the three principal Hindu deities. Pashupatinath, a large Shiva temple in Kathmandu, is among the holiest sites in Nepal and attracts Hindu pilgrims from all over South Asia. Pashupatinath is only one of thousands of temples and shrines scattered throughout Nepal, however. In the Kathmandu Valley alone, there are hundreds of such shrines, large and small, in which the major gods and goddesses of the Hindu pantheon, as well as local and minor divinities, are worshiped. Many of these shrines are constructed near rivers or at the base of pipal trees, which are themselves considered sacred. For Buddhists, Nepal is significant as the birthplace of Lord Buddha. It is also home to a number of important Buddhist monasteries and supas, including Boudha and Swayambhu, whose domeshaped architecture and painted all-seeing eyes have become symbols of the Kathamandu Valley.

Death and the Afterlife. Hindus and Buddhists believe in reincarnation. An individual's meritorious actions in life will grant him or her a higher rebirth. In both religions the immediate goal is to live virtuously in order to move progressively through higher births and higher states of consciousness. Ultimately, the goal is to attain enlightenment, stopping the cycle of rebirth.

In the Hindu tradition, the dead are cremated, preferably on the banks of a river. It is customary for a son to perform the funeral rites. Some Buddhists also cremate bodies. Others perform what are called "sky burials," in which corpses are cut up and left at sacred sites for vultures to carry away.

Medicine and Health Care

Infant mortality is high, respiratory and intestinal diseases are endemic, and malnutrition is widespread in a country where life expectancy is fifty-seven years. Contributing to this situation are poverty, poor hygiene, and lack of health care. There are hospitals only in urban areas, and they are poorly equipped and unhygienic. Rural health clinics often lack personnel, equipment, and medicines. Western biomedical practices have social prestige, but many poor people cannot afford this type of health care. Many people consult shamans and other religious practitioners. Others look to Ayurvedic medicine, in which illness is thought to be caused by imbalances in the bodily humors. Treatment involves correcting these imbalances, principally through diet. Nepalis combine Ayurvedic, shamanic, biomedical, and other systems.

Although health conditions are poor, malaria has been eradicated. Development efforts have focused on immunization, birth control, and basic medical care. However, the success of all such projects seems to correlate with the education levels of women, which are extremely low.

The Arts and Humanities

Graphic Arts. Much of Nepali art is religious. Newari artisans create cast-bronze statuary of Buddhist and Hindu deities as well as intricately painted tangkas that describe Buddhist cosmology. The creation and contemplation of such art constitutes a religious act.

Performance Arts. Dramatic productions often focus on religious themes drawn from Hindu epics, although political satire and other comedic forms are also popular. There is a rich musical heritage, with a number of distinctive instruments and vocal styles, and music has become an marker of identity for the younger generation. Older people prefer folk and religious music; younger people, especially in urban areas, are attracted to romantic and experimental film music as well as fusions of Western and Asian genres.

The State of the Physical and Social Sciences

Universities are underfunded, faculties are poorly paid, and library resources are meager. Nepalis accord less respect to degrees from universities than to degrees obtained abroad and many scholars seek opportunities to study overseas or in India. Despite these limitations, some fine scholarship has emerged, particularly in the social sciences. In the post-1990 period, political reforms have permitted a more open and critical intellectual environment.

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—M ARIE K AMALA N ORMAN

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Table of Contents

• 1. Travel and Holidays
• 2. Health and Hygiene
• 3. Family, Market and Public Places
• 4. Life and Death
• 5. Ethics, Norms and Values
• 6. Custom and Culture
• 7. Ecology and Environment
• 8. Science and Technology
• 9. Science and Technology
• 10. The Earth and Space
• 11. Gadgets and Instruments
• 12. People and Places
• 13. Organization Profile and Authority
• 14. History and Civilization
• 15. People and Lifestyle
• 16. Games and Sports
• 17. Global Warming & Climate Change
• 18. Transportation & Communication
• 1. Current Affairs & Issues
• 2. Festivals & Celebration
• 3.Health & Wellness
• 4. Work & Leasure
• 5. Science & Experiments
• 6. Food & Cuisine
• 7. Cyber Security
• 8. Hobbies & Interest
• 9. History & Culture
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• 11. Ethics & Morality
• 12. Nature & Development
• 13. Population & Migration
• 14. Travell & Adventure
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• 16. Success & Celebration
• 17. Countries & Towns
• 18. Media & Entertainment
• 1. Language Development
• 2. Literature Development
• 3. Model Questions
• 4. References

Family: Summary & Exercise [Class-12]

Exercise of family, working with words, find the meanings of the following family-related words and use them in your own sentences..

nuclear family, monogamy, sibling-in-law, milk kinship, matrilineal, nepotism, maternity

A nuclear family refers to a family unit that consists of a married couple and their children living together in a separate household. Example: "The nuclear family is considered the oldest type of family structure."

Monogamy refers to the practice of having only one spouse at a time. Example: "Monogamy is the most common form of marriage in Western societies." -Sibling-in-law refers to the brother or sister of one's spouse. Example: "My sister-in-law is the sister of my husband."

Milk kinship refers to the bond that is created through the act of lactation (nursing), it is commonly found among pastoralist societies. Example: "Among the pastoralist societies, milk kinship is considered more important than genealogical kinship."

Matrilineal refers to a system in which family descent is traced through the mother's line. Example: "In matrilineal societies, property and inheritance are passed down through the mother's family."

Nepotism refers to the practice of showing favouritism to one's relatives in business or politics. Example: "The mayor was accused of nepotism for giving jobs to his relatives."

Maternity refers to the state of being a mother. Example: "She took maternity leave to care for her newborn baby."

The following words are from the above text. Each word has two parts.

polygamy, unmarried, nontraditional, dissolution, inequitable poly, un, non, dis and in are prefixes. They make new words when they are added to the beginning of other root words.

Make at least five words using the prefixes given. Consult a dictionary to learn how they change the meaning of root words.

pre-, semi-, sub-, mis-, mono-, un-, in-, inter-.

Prefix: pre- Example word: "preemptive" means to take action in advance of an expected event or situation.

Prefix: semi- Example word: "semiannual" meaning occurring twice a year.

Prefix: sub- Example word: "subordinate" meaning lower in rank or status.

Prefix: mis- Example word: "mistake" meaning an error or blunder.

Prefix: mono- Example word: "monochrome" meaning having only one color.

Prefix: un- Example word: "unhappy" meaning not happy.

Prefix: in- Example word: "incorrect" meaning not correct.

Prefix: inter- Example word: "interrelated" meaning having relationship with each other.

Comprehension

Answer the following questions., a. what type of family is thought to be the oldest form of the family.

The nuclear family is thought to be the oldest form of family.

b. How does a family provide security to its members?

The family provides emotional and psychological security through warmth, love, and companionship between spouses and between them and their children. It also provides physical security by providing food, shelter, clothing, and other necessities of life.

c. What were the features of medieval European family?

Medieval European family was male-dominated and extended.

d. What caused the dissolution of extended families in the West?

Industrialization and the accompanying urbanization caused the dissolution of many extended families as many people, particularly unmarried youths, left farms and went to urban centers to become industrial workers.

e. What change occurred in gender role in the modern family that emerged after the Industrial Revolution?

The patriarchal rule began to give way to greater equality between the sexes in the modern family that emerged after the Industrial Revolution.

f. What is family law?

Family law is a branch of law that deals with the legal relationships among family members, as well as the relationships between families and society at large. It covers issues such as the terms and parameters of marriage, the status of children, and the succession of property from one generation to the next.

g. How is modern marriage defined?

Modern marriage is defined as a legally or socially recognized union between two individuals, who commit to a long-term relationship and have a monogamous relationship.

h. What do special family courts try to do?

Family courts try to resolve disputes in a way that is best for the children and family.

i. What does the legislation on child labour and child abuse declare?

Legislation on child labour and child abuse declares that children should be protected from exploitation and abuse.

j. What is common among most legal systems regarding property?

Most legal systems consider the property of a married couple to be jointly owned.

Creative thinking

What changes have started to occur in nepali families in recent days what impacts will they bring on society discuss..

In recent days, Nepali families have started to shift towards smaller family sizes and nuclear family structures. This change is likely driven by increasing access to education and employment opportunities for women, as well as changes in social norms regarding family size and gender roles.

On the positive side, smaller family sizes can lead to improved economic and social outcomes for individuals and families. For example, with fewer children, parents are able to invest more resources in the education and development of each child. Additionally, smaller family sizes can also lead to more gender equality as women have greater opportunities to participate in the workforce and pursue their own education and career goals.

On the negative side, smaller family sizes can also lead to negative impacts on the society. As parents are now more focused on their jobs, they may not have enough time to spend with their children. This can lead to children being sent to hostels or other forms of child care. This can be difficult for children and may lead to feelings of loneliness and isolation. Additionally, as both parents are now working, they may not be able to provide the same level of care and attention to their children as they would if one parent stayed at home. This can also lead to negative impacts on the children's development and well-being.

Overall, while the shift towards smaller family sizes and nuclear family structures in Nepal can bring some positive changes to society, it is important to consider the potential negative impacts on children and families and take steps to mitigate them.

We see many elderly people in elderly homes these days in Nepal. Some of them are abandoned while others live there willingly. Do you think Nepali people are deviating from their traditional culture? Give reasons.

Yes, the increasing number of elderly people living in elderly homes in Nepal suggests that there may be a deviation from traditional Nepali culture. In traditional Nepali culture, it is common for elderly people to be cared for by their children and other family members within the home. However, in recent years, we see that many elderly people are being sent to elderly homes.

One reason for this deviation from traditional culture is the influence of Western culture. Western societies often prioritize individualism, independence, and career advancement over the care of family members. This mindset may have been adopted by some Nepali people, leading them to prioritize work and money over the care of their elderly family members.

One reason for this deviation from traditional culture is the influence of modernization and urbanization. As people migrate to cities, they are faced with economic and societal pressures that make it difficult to take care of their elderly family members. This can lead to the decision to place them in elderly homes.

In addition, the lack of government support and the unavailability of affordable and accessible elderly care services can also be significant factors. This can lead to the decision to place elderly people in elderly homes.

In conclusion, it seems that the increasing number of elderly people in elderly homes in Nepal suggests that Nepali people may be deviating from their traditional culture. The influence of western culture, modernization, urbanization, and lack of government support may be contributing factors to this deviation.

Write an essay on The Importance of Family. In your essay, you can use these guiding questions.

Why family is important to you?

Why family is or is not important for society?

How you think families will change in the future?

The Importance of Family

Family is one of the most important aspects of our lives. It is the foundation upon which we build our identities and the source of our emotional and psychological support. For me, family is important because it provides a sense of belonging and connection. I know that I can always count on my family to be there for me, no matter what. They have been my rock through difficult times and have celebrated my successes with me.

But family is not just important to individuals, it is also crucial for society as a whole. Families provide the basic building blocks of society by creating new generations and raising children. They also play a key role in the socialization and development of children, teaching them the values and norms of society. Furthermore, families serve as a source of emotional and psychological support, which is essential for the overall well-being of society.

However, in recent years, we have seen a shift in traditional family structures and roles. With more women entering the workforce and changes in social norms, we are seeing an increase in nuclear families and single-parent households. Families are also becoming more diverse, with same-sex couples and blended families becoming more common.

In the future, I believe that we will continue to see changes in family structures and roles. As technology and the economy continue to evolve, we will likely see an increase in remote work and virtual communication, which will likely change the way families interact and interact with one another. Additionally, as society becomes more diverse and inclusive, we will likely see an increase in different types of family structures, such as same-sex couples and blended families, becoming more accepted and recognized by society.

However, despite these changes, I believe that the importance of family will remain the same. Families will always be the foundation of our lives, providing us with emotional and psychological support and a sense of belonging. As society continues to evolve, it will be important for us to adapt and find new ways to support and strengthen families, to ensure that they remain an integral part of our society.

In conclusion, family is of vital importance for individuals and society alike. It provides emotional and psychological support, serves as a source of socialization, and creates new generations. Although we may see changes in family structures in the future, the importance of family will remain unchanged. It is important for us to support and strengthen families, in order to ensure that they continue to play a vital role in our society.

Some people think it is better to live in a nuclear family. Other people think that living in extended family is more advantageous. What do you think? Write an essay discussing the advantages and disadvantages of both.

When it comes to living in a nuclear family or an extended family, there are pros and cons to both options. A nuclear family consists of parents and their children living together as a unit, while an extended family includes multiple generations living together, such as grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. From my perspective, I think that living in a nuclear family is more advantageous. However, both types of families have their own unique advantages and disadvantages.

One of the main advantages of living in a nuclear family is the sense of privacy and independence that it offers. Nuclear families have the freedom to make their own decisions and are not subject to the constant interference and opinions of extended family members. This can lead to greater autonomy and self-sufficiency, which can be beneficial for both parents and children. Additionally, a nuclear family can provide a more focused and individualized care for children. With fewer people to take care of, parents can devote more time, energy and resources to the development and well-being of their children.

However, living in a nuclear family also has its downsides. The lack of extended family support can be a disadvantage, particularly in times of crisis or hardship. Additionally, children may not have the opportunity to learn from other older family members and interact with people of different ages. Furthermore, the lack of elderly care within the family can put a burden on the parents, as they are the only ones responsible for their care.

On the other hand, living in an extended family can also have its own benefits. For example, extended families can provide a sense of community and support. Elderly family members can be taken care of by younger generations, which can be a great help for them and children can learn from the older generations. Additionally, extended families can provide a sense of security, as there is always someone to turn to in times of need.

However, living in an extended family can also have its downsides. As there are more people living together, conflicts and disagreements are more likely to occur. This can lead to a lack of privacy and difficulty in maintaining personal boundaries. Extended families also have less autonomy and are subject to more interference and opinions from other family members, which can lead to feelings of frustration and resentment. Additionally, the financial burden of supporting multiple generations can be a significant challenge for extended families. With more people to take care of, extended families may struggle to make ends meet, which can lead to financial stress and difficulties.

In conclusion, both nuclear and extended families have their own advantages and disadvantages. Nuclear families offer greater privacy and independence, while extended families offer a sense of community and support. However, it is important to consider the potential downsides of both living arrangements and weigh the pros and cons before making a decision. Ultimately, the most important thing is to have a supportive and loving family, regardless of its structure.

Choose the best answer to complete the sentences.

a. 'How much was your parking ticket?' 'Fifty rupees.' 'Oh well, it could have been worse.'

b. It might have got lost in the post. These things happen sometimes.

c. 'Sorry I'm late. I got delayed at work.' 'You could have called. I was really worried about you.'

d. 'I don't think he meant to be rude.' 'He must have said sorry.'

e. 'Whose signature is this?' 'I don't know. It could be Manoj's. That looks a bit like an M.'

f. I had it when I left the office so I must have lost it on the way to home.

g. You should think it's funny, but I think it's pathetic.

Complete the following sentences with appropriate endings. Use correct modal verbs.

a. At the end of the course, I should have a good understanding of the subject.

b. If you want to earn a lot of money, you should consider a career in finance or technology.

c. You were not in your house yesterday. You must have been somewhere else.

d. I'm quite busy tomorrow. I might not be able to meet up with you.

e. When you were a small kid, you could barely walk.

f. My car is broken. I must get it fixed as soon as possible.

g. I've got fast speed internet at home. I can easily download large files.

h. Even though she didn't study well, she could still pass the exam.

i. There are plenty of newspapers in the library. You can read one if you want.

j. What do you think you were doing, playing in the road? You should have known better.

k. I have no time. I can't do it.

l. You don't look well. You should see a doctor.

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University Libraries

Need to know, life in the sick room: essays | challenging gender norms for women | book of the month from the john martin rare book room.

MARTINEAU, HARRIETT (1802-1876). Life in the sick-room: Essays . Printed in Boston by L.C. Bowles and W. Crosby, 1844. 20 cm tall.

Martineau was born in 1802 into a progressive Unitarian family in Norwich. Despite the societal expectations that confined her to domestic roles, Harriet’s intellect and determination were undeniable. In 1823, she challenged gender norms by anonymously publishing On female education , advocating for women’s rights to education and intellectual pursuits.

Her literary breakthrough came with the publication of Illustrations of political economy in 1832, a series of short stories that deftly wove economic theories into narratives about everyday people. This work not only brought her fame and financial security but also highlighted her as a significant intellectual force.

From 1834 to 1836, Martineau traveled across the United States. A staunch abolitionist and advocate for women’s rights, she wrote extensively against slavery and the lack of opportunities for women, eventually writing Society in America . Her extensive travels also led to insightful writings on the Middle East, India, and Ireland, further establishing her as a versatile and influential journalist and author.

Martineau began experiencing a series of symptoms while on her travels and, in 1839, returned to England for treatment. For someone experiencing a debilitating illness but not necessarily dying, being confined to a “sick room” was common at this time. It allowed the room to be set to the orders of the physician and made it easier for the family to care for their ill relative.

Although confined to her own sick room for five years, Martineau was financially secure and had a progressive, independent spirit. She oversaw her medical care and constructed an environment that best suited her needs. She even restricted access from her family, who she felt could be more emotionally draining than helpful. While resting and recuperating, Martineau remained very productive, writing a novel for children and the essays eventually published in Life in the sick-room .

Already considered an irritation in the medical community, she really caused a stir by claiming that Mesmerism , a pseudo-science medical treatment, cured her. Franz Anton Mesmer (1734-1815), a German physician, maintained that an “animal magnetism” pervades the universe and exists in every living thing.

He believed that its transmission from one person to another could cure various nervous disorders through its healing properties. Mesmer at first used magnets, electrodes, and other devices to effect his cures, but after arousing suspicion among his fellow physicians, he preferred to utilize his hands.

Considered quackery by many in the medical establishment, even in 1844—including by her physician brother-in-law who oversaw her care—physicians publicly attacked Martineau’s claims about Mesmerism. Her brother-in-law eventually published a detailed account of her illness. Although he promised it would anonymously appear in a medical journal, he instead created a public pamphlet and made little effort to disguise who he was talking about.

After ten years of good health, Martineau once again fell ill in 1855 and returned to her sick room. She remained there until her death in 1876. She continued to write during this time, completing, among other things, her autobiography, works promoting women’s suffrage, and critiques of the Contagious Diseases Acts , which targeted women in the name of preventing sexually transmitted illnesses.

After her death, the medical establishment, again including her brother-in-law, who publicly published the results of an unauthorized autopsy, went out of their way to discredit Martineau and her work. Without evidence, they claimed her illness led her to behave in unconventional and “unfeminine” ways. Martineau remained an inspiration to many, though, and her works live on as a testament to her resilience and rejection of the status quo.

Our copy of the first American edition of Life in the sick-room is quite unassuming. It features a standard 19th-century burgundy cloth cover that has faded over time. Since it was a book in the library’s circulating collection for most of its life, it features a “library cloth” rebacked spine with the label maker-printed call number and title easily visible. Inside, the paper is in good condition, with evidence of damage from a long-ago liquid spill. Much like Martineau herself, though, this little book has shown great resilience in the face of adversity!

Contact the JMRBR Curator Damien Ihrig: [email protected] or 319-335-9154 to take a look at this book.

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Ex-South Dakota mayor Jay Ostrem charged in triple homicide after alleged sexual assault of family member

T he former mayor of a South Dakota town is accused of murdering three people after becoming enraged over a neighbor allegedly sexually assaulting a family member.

Jay Edward Ostrem, 64, was arrested on Monday and is currently being held in Minnehaha County Jail on $1 million cash-only bond, according to the South Dakota Attorney General’s Office.

Ostrem was the mayor and city councilor of Centerville in 2010, KELO reported, citing previously filed lawsuits against the suspect.

The incident took place around 9:44 p.m. Monday night, when a “frantic” man called 911 and said that his relative had been fatally shot, court papers obtained by KELO said.

The caller claimed that the shooter was a man from across the street, and said the man had gone back into his home.

The man then said that he had also been shot, and stopped communicating with the dispatcher a short time later.

When police arrived at the scene, they witnessed Ostrem leaving his home, the papers explained.

The former mayor ignored the cops’ asking him to stop and continued walking away until a Game, Fish, and Parks officer who responded to the scene met up with him and demanded he get on the ground.

Ostrem complied, and told the officer he had a gun in his pocket, the court write-up noted.

When officers approached, they noticed that Ostrem had an AR-style rifle on the ground near him. He was also bleeding from his left hand and smelled of alcohol.

Officers then found a .380 handgun in Ostrem’s pocket, as well as spent shotgun shell casings and at least one spent rifle casing.

When the police entered the home where the 911 call was made from, they found three people dead from apparent gunshot wounds.

The investigators moved on to Ostrem’s house, where one of his adult family members told them that a neighbor had been at their home on Thursday night, while Ostrem was sleeping.

The family member claimed that she and the neighbor were drinking, and then he forcibly kissed her, exposed himself to her, and pressed himself against her, the court papers said.

The woman explained that she told Ostrem about the assault on Monday, and then “got up and went raging out of the house.”

Ostrem did not say anything as he left, and she did not know where he was going, the woman claimed.

She also said that she did not see Ostrem again until law enforcement arrived at the scene.

Ostrem was former law enforcement, and had weapons in the home and possibly in his car, the woman added.

The incident is now under investigation by the South Dakota’s Division of Criminal Investigation.

The three victims have not been publicly identified pending family notification, the Attorney General’s Office said.

“Jay Ostrem has been arrested and charged with three counts of First Degree Murder, and law enforcement has secured the scene,” said Attorney General Jackley. “There is no further threat to the public.”