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Hinduism: Relationships and Families

Roles of Hindu men and women in family, community and upbringing

  • 3 things to know
  • Component Group 2

Overview

Stridharma and svadharma, Manusmriti III 55–57 and IX 3 and their interpretation, Sita's example, women in religious life, parents' roles in upbringing, restricted freedom of choice, and elderly parents at home.

What you need to know

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Key term

What are the traditional roles of Hindu men and women in the family?

Key term

What do Hindus mean by stridharma?

Key term

How does svadharma apply to the roles of Hindu men and women?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    What are the traditional roles of Hindu men and women in the family?

    Model answer

    Traditionally the husband earns and protects the family, while the wife manages the home and brings up children. Husband and wife share religious duties as partners.

  2. 2

    What do Hindus mean by stridharma?

    Model answer

    Stridharma is the dharma or duty of women as taught in traditional texts. Stridharma has stressed devotion to husband, care of the home and raising children.

  3. 3

    How does svadharma apply to the roles of Hindu men and women?

    Model answer

    Traditional teaching links each person's own duty to gender and stage of life. Many modern Hindus hold that svadharma should follow a person's abilities, not gender.

  4. 4

    What does Manusmriti III 55–57 teach about women?

    Model answer

    Manusmriti III 56 says that where women are honoured the gods rejoice. A family whose women grieve soon perishes.

  5. 5

    What does Manusmriti IX 3 teach about women, and why is it controversial?

    Model answer

    Manusmriti IX 3 says a woman is protected by her father, husband and sons and is not fit for independence. Many Hindus today reject this as a product of its time.

  6. 6

    How do different Hindus interpret the Manusmriti's teaching on women?

    Model answer

    Traditionalists treat the Manusmriti as authoritative guidance on family roles. Reformers see it as smriti that can change with the times, unlike eternal shruti.

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