Psychology

Globalization and modernity in the society has brought about the changes in family ties where the roles of women and men have changed greatly with new discipline measures and the divorce rate is getting high. The change in role of women and women may be as a result of single parenthood, death of partner, divorce, religion and culture. The main factor which influences the change in roles is due to globalization and economic hardship. Change is inevitable roles keep on changing from one level to another.

The sources used in this article discuss different cultures in respect to MaleFemale Roles in the Family, Discipline Techniques and Divorce Rates are
Barber LB, and Eccles, SJ, 1992.  Long Term Influence of Divorce and Single Parenting on Adolescent Family- and Work Related Values, Behaviors and Aspirations.
Fiji. Population and Family Planning Laws, Policies and Regulations.
Finlay, B., Starnes EC and Alveras, BF, 2004.  Recent Changes in Sex-Role Ideology among Divorced Men and Women Some Possible Causes and Implications.
Megawangi R., 1999. Gender Perspectives in Early Childhood Care and Development in Indonesia. The Consultative Group on Early Childhood Care and Development.
Pongsapich, 1990.  Regional Workshop Changing Family Patterns and Roles in Asia.
Sing JP, Problems of Indias Changing Family and State Intervention.
The article tends to evaluate the roles of women and men in family, disciplinary techniques used and divorce rates based on facts from different cultures and family structures as described by different sociologists, psychologists and anthropologists.

MaleFemale Roles in the Family, Discipline Techniques and Divorce Rates
Family structures
The roles of males and females in the family structures, disciplinary measures and the rates of divorce vary from one culture to another and the nation ideology. Women in the Fiji Islands are subjected to societal norms of being socially and economically dependants of their male partners. Women productivity in employment is very low due to domestic violence. Fiji women came up with action plan which provided favorable environment for women by strengthening the government response to gender related issues. Women have been integrated as whole part of government system with aim of transformations and gender sensitivity. The national statistics in Fiji showed that the women are well educated as men. Women health has greatly improved, maternal mortality reduced from 143 per 100,000 in 34 per 100, 000 in 1994 live births while infant mortality 41.4 to 16.3 per 1,000 live births due to change in women status in the society. Despite the fact that women are educated, they still lack behind in labor markets and they participate in law paying jobs (Fiji 1998). The nation has experienced increased single parenthood, rise in the divorce rates and the increasing number of women seeking employment opportunities to supplement for family need have significant effects on children and entire family welfare.

The analyzed data from Virginia Slims Survey of American Women done between 1974 and 1979 shows that the  role values differs between men and women are of high proportion among divorced families which is on increased in the present society. The gap between gender divorcees has given rise to females participation in economic structures of the nation. Changes in family and marriage institutions have great influence in divorce rates (Finlay, Starnes and Alveras, 2004). In America, families are experiencing changes due to increase level of divorce. It is perceived that two- parent family is ideal structure for children, deviating from it results to negative social effects. The change of family structure due to divorce may bring problems such juvenile delinquency, substance abuse, poor relationship with parents, sexual promiscuity and poor academic performance (Barber and Ecless, 1992). Both divorcee women and men have double traditional roles of family by being family heads, bread winners, disciplining of children and managers of household activities.

Despite Indonesia having diverse culture, their ideology states that national values depend on family and each individual must belong to the family which is a basic unit of the society. The society is characterized by harmony and unity among the individual in the family through duty, respect and honor (Megawangi, 1999). Young generation has tremendously contributed to social change by pulling away from traditions. Family system is based on the nuclear family, the husband is entitled with responsibility of being a family head and the wife has responsibility of managing household daily activities. Monogamous marriages are highly regarded though polygamous is permitted. Divorce rates were high in the past but have greatly reduced in the recent years. The environment is favorable for women and they uphold high status since society believes that husband and wife must work together for the best. The equality in inheritance and womens control over the property give women the ability of empowerment. Indonesian women in the family are independent and they hold high status in society.

Early Thai society was divided into two classes namely upper and lower strata which was hierarchically structured on social-economic factors. Men were formal heads of household while women had responsibility of controlling household activities to a certain level. Women were the key roles of obtaining and regulating household. Women dint hold significant position and leading role. In conceptual perspective, women are not powerful and influential than men (Pongsapich, 1990). In modern Thai, individuals prefer living with parents who have most resources in extended or shared household. Divorce rate is very low in the Thai, family structure was ideal for upbringing of children since both parents were present..

From time immemorial Indian family structure was characterized by joint family but the family system is changing since the size of joint family has been reduced. The adults population migrates to cities in search for higher education and jobs to escape from harsh traditional values and norms. Available opportunities outside the family joints and arising pressure from population on the limited resources forced most people to move out in search of better ways to improve living standard. In patriarch society wives had paramount authority their position was depended on the position of their husbands in the household. The wife of the household head or mother-in-law was in charge of the household, since what they said was law. The decisions made by them were in favor of entire family and not for individual interest. Young women in the family were expected submissive, obedient and bear children. Widows were provided roof over their heads by the family members though they were voiceless in decision making. Parents have taken responsibility of encouraging their educated sons and daughters-in-law to make independent decisions on joint family and extended family situation. Change in structure of authority structure is that women have been allowed to be head of household, they are now independent and gainfully employed. The dissolution of marriage is very rare in India. Indians have respect on institution of marriage and they fear of erosion social values (Singh).

Comparison and Contrast of Family Structures
Most cultures have bestowed men the responsibility of being the family heads and women were in charge of household activities. It is clear that Indonesian women have total control in management of family and household activities while the Thai women were allowed to be in control of household activities to a certain level. Indonesian women were very powerful and influential in regard to family and decision making process.

Divorce rate is very high in Fiji Island and in the America and the traditional roles of females and males are doubled in aim of gathering for family needs and the welfare of family members. Indonesian and Indian culture preserved the institution of marriage divorce is not common and rare thing to happen. Indonesian are very gender sensitive, women  hold high status, empowered and independent in decision making while the rest allow women to participate in decision making to a certain degree.

Family structure differs from one culture to another though each ideology states that society is dependent on the family. Thai and Indian had a joint family structure characterized by sharing of the resources. Indonesian culture believes in family which is the unit of the wider society and that each individual must belong to a family.

Conclusion
From the observations made, it is clear that men are expected to be heads of the family while women are in charge of household activities.  Indonesia and Indian culture dont believe in dissolution of marriages while divorce rate are high in Fiji and America. Family is a basic unit of society and each culture believes in the family. The status of women in Fiji, Thai and India is low while Indonesian women hold high status and are influential in the family.