Indian Society Lives example essay topic

Impacts of Family Traditions and Religion in India Family traditions and religion greatly impact the lives of many people in India. These elements of culture are reasons that form the way that Indians lead their lives. Both factors make up what type of person that individual will become. That is the reason why religion and family traditions are so valued in Indian society. Religion is probably the most definitive factor in the way that an Indian will lead his life, particularly if they practice Hinduism. In Hinduism this person must follow a strict set of rules called Dharma.

These rules state how this person shall lead his life. They state that each person must follow their Dharma at all costs. For example if their Dharma tells them to kill someone then it is acceptable to that person. A passage from the Bhagavad Gita explains this best through this passage "It is better to do one's duty badly than to do another's well". Dharma varies from class to class in the caste system. The rules get stricter and stricter as one goes up the class system.

The caste system is the second most definitive factor to all Indians. This caste system will determine what kind of job and what set of Dharma one must follow. This caste system tells one whom they can and cannot marry. This caste system directly impacts all of Indian society lives greatly. To me this caste system reflects a segregated community that judge's people on the mere fact of their birth. This segregation also keeps life for all Indians very stable with little or no fluctuations in the country's economy.

Everything is keep at a stand still in these types of communities. This caste system also allows patriarchal rule, which greatly limits the roles of women in, the Indian society. This patriarchal role of males in the Indian family allows for all the power to be placed on the father of the household. This power can be abused which I would assume happens with the children in these families. The oldest male child has the authority to boss around his other siblings, and in the death of his father he then becomes the leader of the household. This could lead to many harsh or unfair ruling by older siblings or by other members of society.

This would lead for the younger sibling to have to adjust greatly as they grow into adulthood. These rules that govern Indian household are often strict and are always final. This is accepted by all. Another deciding factor in what shapes the lives of Indians are the strict rules of their religions such as not crossing water or eating beef. Also not cutting their hair is another religious rule that must be followed for Sikhs.

These rules can limit ones personal freedom or civil rights as in the case for women. The effects of Hinduism that effect society are very clear to Indians. One good example of this is that many Hindus go hungry everyday but yet the let cows roam. This seems awkward to me because I am and outsider but to Indians this is and unchangeable law that must never be broken.

There are other more subtle things that Hinduism controls in Indians every day life. Hinduism even controls the way one looks at society and how that person may or may not interact with society. If one is part of certain classes then they may be either too good or an untouchable. This would interfere with that person's everyday lives.

Hinduism creates the caste system, which promotes segregation in society and that is the most obvious effect of Hinduism itself. One of the hardest things for me to understand as a westerner is why these people do not stand up for themselves and their rights. This is a westerner point of view, which is why it is so unbelievable to me. There is no way that I could possibly enjoy growing up in and Indian society and am grateful that I do not.