Unit-01: Family Values in Pakistan

Unit-01: Family Values in Pakistan
Exercise Question / Answers
1	Discuss the characteristics of family as a ‘bond of relationships’.
Ans:	The family as ‘bond of relationships’ has the following characteristics: It is not just a group of people living together who are joined by blood or marriage. It is made by people who are emotionally connected to each other. In ‘bond of relationships’ each relation is a source of strength to the other. Each relation is linked to the other in such a way that everyone feels complete. In ‘bond of relationships’ there is unconditional love and respect for each other. In short, the family as ‘bond of relationships’ is a union of emotions and souls rather than a mere group individuals living together.
2	Explain the way elderly family members are given respect by others in Pakistani society?
Ans:	In Pakistani society, elderly family members are given great respect of reverence. They are considered source of light and guidance. They are consulted in every important issue and they have authoritative place. The young ones seek their advice and consider the elderly members a treasure of knowledge and expertise. In fact they are considered ‘role models’. The way the elderly members are taken care of in their old age is another demonstration of respect and reverence for them.
3	The joint family system helps the children to grow with positivity. Give reasons.
Ans:	There is no doubt that joint family system helps the children grow with positivity. Due to physical and emotional support from their elders as well as guidance from experienced family members they grow as strong and confident individuals. As they do not have any emotional deprivation they contribute to the society in a positive way. In fact the children from joint family system due to strong backing have positively in all respects including way of living, social role, career and decision making.
4.	Describe the way children are brought-up and nursed in the traditional Pakistani family.
Ans	Children are brought up and nursed with great care and love in traditional Pakistani family. They are considered gift from Allah. They are taught the basic beliefs of Islam. They are taught the family values, custom physical and emotional support. So a traditional Pakistani family brings up the children with great care considering them a blessing from Allah as well as heirs to their traditions.
5.	Describe how the physical and emotional support is a strength in a joint family system.
Ans:	The most important feature of joint family system is the physical and moral support that it provides to all of members. This support keeps the family members united in a ‘bond of relationship’. Each member feels stronger and complete. It becomes a real strength when the individuals play their social roles or choose a profession or even when they take some important decisions. The physical and emotional support offered by joint family system makes them strong and confident individuals.
6.	Who can play positive role to keep the family values in Pakistan intact and how?
Ans:	The elders can play the most important role in keeping the family values intact. The benefits they have got from strong family values must be transferred to the next generations. The best way of doing it would be to do it practically. For example if they respect their parents and take care of them the children will learn the same and will in their turn build strong family life. The state also has responsibility to reeducate the masses about the benefits of strong family values.
7.	Analyze the text carefully and identify the theme of the unit.
Ans	The text highlights the importance of strong family life. The theme of keeping the family values intact and transferring them to the next generation runs throughout the text. The writer has mentioned the positive influence of strong family system upon the individuals. He has indicated the role played by the elders in guiding the younger generation. The idea is to show how living together in 'bond of relationships’, helps up grow as strong, emotionally, sound and confident individuals.
	COMPREHENSION PASSAGE # 1
	In Pakistan, family is a ‘bond of relationships’, which strengthens the relationships of a family. Family members love and respect each other without any expectations. The tenets of Islam further strengthen this bond. The existing family ties, based on selflessness, are well watered by the injunctions of Islam. According to Islam, we must look after our parents, especially in their old age, when they have gone perish minded. It can be said that universal teachings of our religion are the essential part of our family values. People in Pakistan mostly follow joint family system and live their lives with their parents. They give much respect to their customs and traditions and pay due attention to family values. the value of a strong family decision-making. A strong family nit creates a safe, positive and supportive place for all members to thrive. They are able to utilize resources and live together in a fairly healthy manner. Each member of a Pakistan family has respect for the elder family members. The grandparents form a central beacon in a traditional Pakistani family. They are treated with reverence and hold an authoritative place. They work together with other elder family members to solve problems and pass their skills and expertise to the next generation. They are good “role models” and are looked upon as the primary source of guidance. Accordingly, they are provided with care and support from their family members. Answer the Following Questions
1.	Write the summary of the passage in one third of its original length and suggests a tile as well
Ans:	Title: Pakistani Family, A Bond of Relationships Summary / Precis The passage is about family values in Pakistan. Here, family is a bond of relationships. It derives strength from the tenets of Islam, which emphasize caring for parent when they become old. Pakistani families, often follow a joint family system. Customs and traditions are upheld. The values of love and care in joint family system play a significant role in shaping individuals’ lives and decisions. A strong family unit provides a supportive environment where member prosper. Elders, particularly grandparents, are highly respected. They hold authoritative positions, and serve as role models. They receive care and support from their family members.
2.	What, according to the passage, is the significance of family in Pakistan?
Ans:	According to the passage, family in Pakistan is the binding force. It is a ‘bond of relationships’. A typical Pakistani family has mutual love and respect among family members as its essential features. It plays a significant role in shaping individuals’ ways of living, social roles, choice of profession, and decision-making. A Pakistani family is name of safety, positivity and unconditional support to its members. It ensures that values and traditions are well-kept and duly transferred to next generations.
3.	How do the tenets of Islam impact family relationships in Pakistan?
Ans:	The tenets of Islam significantly impact family relationships in Pakistan. The commands given by Islam strengthen the bond that exists between family members. Islam teaches its followers to be caring and respectful particularly towards elderly parents. These teachings from the core of family values in Pakistan. The elderly are taken more care of when they become absent-minded and irritable because Islam has commanded us so. In short our family values derive their essence from the teachings of Islam.
4.	How does the joint family system influence the lives of people in Pakistan?
Ans:	The joint family system in Pakistan influences people’s lives a great deal. The joint family system promotes close-knit relationship and shared responsibilities. The bond between the aged and the young in a joint family system ensures the transfer of family values to the next generation. This system encourages cooperation resource sharing and mutual support among family members. The joint family system exerts a positive influence on their way of living, choices and decision making.
5.	What role do customs and traditions play in Pakistani family values?
Ans:	Customs and traditions play a vital role in Pakistani values. The customs and traditions of giving respect to elderly family members and of working together for the solution of problems form the core of our values. The traditions of grandparents being the central beacon make sure that all the positive values are taught and transferred to the next generations. In fact it is the customs and traditions that give a unique and distinct color to our values and help us maintain a cohesive family structure.
6.	How does a strong family unit benefits its members?
Ans:	A strong family unit benefits its members in many ways. It provides a supportive environment. This helps in utilizing resource efficiently. Elder family members offer guidance and serve as role models. They ensure the transfer of skills and expertise to younger generations, because of this strong bonding everyone feels confident in performing his or her social role, making choice of profession and taking decisions. In short a strong family unit ensures positive development for each of its members.
7.	Provide meanings of the underlined words:
	Tenets:          a key principle, belief Perish-minded: absent-minded Reverence: Deep respect for someone or something Thrive: To grow, develop or be successful Injunctions: orders or directives Beacon: guiding light
	COMPREHENSION PASSAGE # 2
	The male members of the family are generally considered to be the guardians of the family and play a significant role for the well being of their family. The major decisions, in the family, are taken by them and their words go unquestioned. Their dream is to support their family members and work for their social and financial well-being. When all the male members work together and contribute equally to the family, the financial burden is minimized and the elements of jealousy and evil also remain under control. The family members are able to proper and thrive together. In joint family units all the family members live together and share joys and sorrows with each other. The elders, in the family, set the tone by reaching out to their friends and community and teach their children the importance of doing the same. All the female members of the family jointly handle the household chores. As children spend most of their time under their custody, the entire grooming of children is also done by them. Women consider their family as their entire world and jointly fulfill their family needs and wants. At the same time the families in Pakistan never fail to look at children in the family as gifts from Allah. All the elder family members are responsible for teaching the children the basic beliefs of religion. Family values, customs and traditions are also transferred to children by their elders and they are also taught to respect and honor their elders. The children watch their parents taking care of their grandparents and also make well thought-out decisions over the years. This role guides the children to be supportive and good decision-makers. Among the children of strong families, the moral and emotional problems are lesser. They tend to go on to have strong, healthy families of their own, having learned examples from their elders. Our family values look to be dreamlike and we thank Allah for we are tied into a cohesive whole of the family system. Sometimes poverty and other problems happened to overshadow some of our family units, but, with the role of the state and education of the people, we can easily avert these dangers. Nevertheless, such bitter phenomena are rarely found. Tersely, in Pakistan, people absorb the traditional and cultural family values and they demonstrate respect and regard to their elders. People’s main objective is ‘living together, growing together and surviving together’. Here, giving physical and emotional support is quite usual in a joint family system. This leads to a happy, healthy and prospering family which benefits the society as a whole. It is said that one good family builds a good community, then all good communities build a good society and at the end all good societies jointly make a successful nation.
	ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS
1.	Write the summary of the passage into one third of its original length and suggest a title as well
Ans:	Title:              Family values in Pakistan Summary / Precis The passage is about family values in Pakistan. Here, male family members are seen as guardians. They make all the key decisions. Family’s well being is always their prime goal. Working together minimizes financial burdens and jealousy. Members in a Joint family share joys and sorrows with each other. The elders are responsible for social commitments as well as guiding the children for similar duties in future. For women their family is their universe. They manage household activates and bring up children. Children are considered as gifts from Allah. They are taught religious beliefs and family values of respect by the elders. This guidance helps them become good decision-makers. Strong family values lead to fewer moral and emotional problems, which is the end lay foundation for strong future families. Despite occasional poverty, education and state support help maintain family cohesion. Strong family values promote social happiness ultimately leading to creation of a successful nation.
2.	How will you compare the roles played by male and female members in joint family system?
Ans:	In the joint family system, male and female members have specific roles to play. Male members are responsible for major decisions and the family’s financial well-being. All the male members work and contribute to family funds. Their cooperation minimizes financial burdens and controls negative feelings. Female members handle household chores. They are responsible for children’s grooming. We can say that roles are different but their aim is the same. Both work for the harmony in the family life.
3.	How do children learn about religious and family values?
Ans:	Children learn about religious and family values from the elders. Elder family members play a very important role in teaching children about religious and family values. The children observe their parents caring for grandparents and making thoughtful decisions. They learn to be supportive and responsible. They observe their elders fulfilling religious obligations. They try to copy them. The elders teach them step by step different religious values. In this way children learn family and religious values.
4.	How do joint family systems in Pakistan handle financial burdens and potential conflicts?
Ans:	Joint family systems handle financial burdens by sharing and cooperation. Financial well-being is the responsibility of the male members. All male members work and contribute equally. By this contribution to the family funds, the burden is reduced. It is the financial disparity that produces jealousy and evil thoughts. When all members are contributing equally these negative feelings do not develop. Hence, potential conflicts are minimized through shared responsibilities and mutual respect.
5.	In what way our family values are dreamlike?
Ans:	When the writer says our family values are dreamlike he means to say that our family values are ideal. The unity we have is nowhere to be found in the world. The values of mutual respect and sharing financial burdens create harmony in our lives. We take care or our elderly family members as a religious duty. In the western countries the elderly members are sent to old houses. Children are brought up in an environment of strong family and religious values. these unique features make our value dreamlike.
6.	How do strong families contribute to the overall well-being and success of society?
Ans:	It is true that strong families build strong societies. In a strong family every member feels confident due to the support he or she gets. Family values of respect and mutual love help individuals grow with a positive mindset. These people play effective social roles, and successful decisions. Such individuals contribute to the overall welfare and prosperity of the society. Society is formed by the individuals. And the individuals who are strong and successful form a strong and successful society.
7.	Which family system will you prefer, nuclear family system or joint family system?
Ans:	It is not easy to choose between the two. Both have their pros and cons. A joint family system offers strong support, shared responsibilities, and close-knit relationships. However, a nuclear family system provides more independence and privacy. Personal experience and lifestyle choices influence this decision. I have seen my parents living in joint family system. Our life has been quite comfortable due to support and care from grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousins. I feel more inclined to joint family system.
8.	Provide the meanings of the underlined words:
Ans:	Chores: domestic work, task Cohesive: forming a united whole Avert: to prevent or avoid Thrive: to grow and develop Tersely: in short Set the tone: establish way of doing something Grooming: bringing up Phenomenon: a natural happening