Case Studies: Shalini and Tenzing

Story 1: Shalini (Kerala)

Context: A joint family facing financial difficulty during the Onam festival.

• Family Members: Shalini, Parents, Brother, Acchamma (Grandmother), Chittappa (Uncle), Chitti (Aunt), Chinni (Cousin).
• The Situation: The uncle lost his job. The family could not afford expensive silk dresses for everyone.
• The Resolution: Shalini’s parents bought simple cotton clothes for everyone, including the uncle’s family, instead of expensive ones just for themselves.
• Lesson: Families share resources. Personal desires (like a silk dress) are sometimes sacrificed (Tyaga) to support other family members in tough times.

Shalini’s Family Tree

Story 2: Tenzing (Meghalaya)

Context: A family in the mountains where gender roles are flexible and cooperative.

• The Father: Runs a grocery store but also cleans the house, tends the garden, and cooks. He shares household chores equally.
• The Mother: Works in a handicraft cooperative making traditional fabrics.
• The Grandparents:
  • Grandmother: Tells stories, wisdom.
  • Grandfather: Helps with homework, takes Tenzing to the bus, does social work in the colony (fixing power failures, helping storm victims).
• Decision Making: Parents discuss special expenses together.
• Lesson: Gender equality in household chores and the vital role of grandparents in education and social responsibility.