Family, Kinship, and Social Solidarity in Contemporary Kashmiri Society
Bilal Ahmad Mir
Post-Doctoral Research Scholar, ICSSR, Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar, Tamil Nadu, India
Family and kinship remain central to the organisation of social life in contemporary Kashmiri society, shaping patterns of solidarity, support, and everyday interaction. Based on qualitative fieldwork conducted in selected rural and urban contexts, this study explores how kinship networks operate amid social change, economic pressures, migration, and expanding educational opportunities. The analysis reveals that while extended family structures continue to hold cultural and social significance, there is a gradual shift towards semi-nuclear households and more flexible kin relations. Despite these changes, kinship networks provide crucial emotional, economic, and moral support, especially during periods of uncertainty. Intergenerational relations, gender roles, and decision-making processes within families are increasingly negotiated rather than fixed, reflecting broader transformations in social values. Social solidarity is sustained through practices of mutual aid, marriage alliances, and shared cultural norms, even as everyday relationships adapt to new circumstances. The study suggests that solidarity in Kashmiri society is not eroding but being re-shaped through adaptive family strategies, offering insights into resilience and social cohesion in societies experiencing prolonged social stress.
Keywords: Family, Kinship, Social Solidarity, Kashmiri Society, Social Change, Household Relations, Community Cohesion.
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