: The traditional "joint family" often includes three to four generations sharing a kitchen and common budget. However, many urban Indians now live in nuclear units but maintain strong proximity networks , often living as neighbors to fulfill kinship obligations.
The joint family provided a social security net; there was no need for crèches or old-age homes because childcare and elder care were seamlessly integrated into the daily flow. However, it also came with the lack of privacy and the inevitability of friction, often requiring a high degree of emotional intelligence to navigate the politics of the drawing room.
