Sociology and Space, No. 40-42, 1973.
Original scientific paper
The Family Zadruga and Modern Yugoslav Family
Olivera Burić
Abstract
The sociological continuity between the traditional and modern family
should be observed through the size of the family, the continuation of family relations, and the preservation of such values as collectivism, solidarity, egalitarianism and democracy.
The practice of more than one family living together has almost disappeared from our society. Statistical data indicates that during the last fifty years, the average number of members in a household has decreased from 5.1 to 3.8. This indirectly suggests the break up of the zadruga structure. Significant regional differences exist in the rate of decrease of large family households. In the regions where there were always smaller households, the rate of size decrease has been slower (Slovenia, Vojvodina), while where there were large households (Serbia,Bosna and Hercegovina, Macedonia), the rate has significantly increased. However, exceptions to this rule are such areas as Montenegro, with the smallest decline of large households, and Kosovo, where the number of household members has even increased.
To analyze the change in the traditional family, data on inhabitants who
are not married are also significant. During the last decade, the number of singles has increased (mostly men) as well as the number of divorcees, which in this case, has been mostly women. The agricultural population in relation to the total has reduced from 67.2% to 38.2% between 1948 to 1971. More than one third of the cities’ inhabitants have come directly from the village. The population
migration has thus fractured the structure of endogamy and significantly increased national and regional exogamy.
Therefore one of the attributes of the family zadruga has disappeared, i.e. the size of households. However if one wants to see elements of a family zadruga in a modern family, it is necessary to examine the organizational structure of living, internal relations, and the ties between the household and the living environment. We can confirm that a very close kinship still exists between the family
nucleus and relatives. This has not been weakened by the process of modernization and industrialization, nor urbanization of the villages. However, the continuity between the traditional family zadruga and the modern family is most clearly obvious in the area of values. Collectivism, which is seen through the strong net-like family-relative ties, is present today through the feeling of solidarity not only within the nucleus of the family and their kinsmen, but on a much wider scale. Consequently today this value does not mean collective living
in which individuality is lost, but rather such conditions for living and work which guarantee that the advance and freedom of each individual to be the condition for the freedom and advance of everyone.
That, which the family zadruga was once most noted for over all other
types of large families, was the principle of egalitarianism. However, egalitarianism and democratic decision making were not characteristic within the family nucleus of the family zadruga, such as they have not been characteristic to the later, more modern form of family organization. The subordination of the woman and childern to the man in the family nucleus within the framework of the family zadruga was later strengthened by marital laws which were based on Roman patriarchic principles. We feel, therefore, that, although the type of family organization known as the family zadruga, has almost ceased to exist, the continuation of its principles can be seen in the behaviour, mentality, and disposition of a considerable national stratum.
Keywords
Hrčak ID:
119655
URI
Publication date:
7.12.1973.
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