Dhingra, D S. (1995). Continuity and changes in Child rearing practices in three different caste groups: An inter-generational study. Unpublished. Ph.D., Home Sciences,Education. Jammu University.

The objectives of the study were: (1) To look at the extent of changes and continuity in the ideas of two successive generations of women with respect to Child Rearing. (2) To find out the effect of regional location on Child Rearing practices and on the process of transmission of ideas related to Child Rearing to the next generation. (3) To compare the extent of changes and continuity in Child Rearing reactive across the three different caste groups i.e. Khatris, Mahajans and Brahmins, identified for the study. (4) To study the Modernization in Overall Social Attitudes of the respondents and to relates Modernization in these with changes in ideas regarding Child Rearing. (5) To study the impact of education and employment on the ideas regarding Child Rearing practices.

The total number of respondents included in the study was 480, equally divided between Delhi and Jammu (240 from each place). The total number of family units included in the sample was 240 and 2 members from each family i.e. mothers and grandmother of young children were the respondents for the study. They were divided equally among the three caste groups. Purposive sampling was used for the study. 

The tools used to collect the data included a Structured Interview Schedule and the Modernization Scale by Singh, Tripathi and Lal.

 

Content Analysis

The collected data were treated using percentages and Content Analysis

The findings of the study were: (1) A high degree of agreement in the practices followed by mothers and grandmothers for Child Rearing. (2) Differences were found among the practices of mothers and grandmothers especially in those areas where the ideas of the younger generation had changed due to the awareness. (3) In terms of regional differences, it was found that there was more continuity between the ideas of mothers and grandmothers from Jammu as compared to Delhi, although the difference was narrow and appeared to be insignificant. Ecology had led to certain modifications in the traditional rituals performed at child birth. (4) No uniform trends could be found for the caste group differences in terms of Child Rearing practices both in Delhi and Jummu. Khatri respondents from Delhi were found to be more open to change in ideas as compared to other groups. The case boundaries appeared to have diluted, especially in Delhi, in terms of Child Rearing practices. (5) Mothers both from Delhi and Jammu had comparatively higher scores on the Modernization of Attitudes of respondents belonging to the two generations. (6) The employment and education gap was found to be producing differences in the mothers and grandmothers’ Child Rearing practices but the differences were very narrow.

Keyword(s): inter-generational study,