International Journal for Multidisciplinary Research (IJFMR) E-ISSN: 2582-2160 ● Website: www.ijfmr.com ● Email: editor@ijfmr.com IJFMR240215298 Volume 6, Issue 2, March-April 2024 1 The Hidden Challenge of Unemployment on Family Units in the North East India Purna Laxmi Jamatia 1 , Naorem Chinglemba 2 , Asmita Debbarma 3 , Tanesh Indwar 4 1,4 Research Scholar, Department of Sociology and Social work, Annamalai University. 2 Research Scholar, Department of History, Annamalai University. 3 Research Scholar, Department of Political Science & Public Administration, Annamalai University. Abstract The facts regarding the prevalence and impact of unemployment on families are examined in this essay. Wives make up a sizable portion of the unemployed even though their unemployment rate is relatively low (in 1998, they accounted for 36.2% of all unemployed adult). For single parents, unemployment is a significant problem. As a result, almost one-third of parents of dependent children experience unemployment. The unemployment rate of families is also examined. Unemployment-affected families frequently endure difficulty and suffering, damaged relationships, poorer health (though the reasons aren't always clear), and stress from housing. Unemployment may also have a detrimental effect on children's development and employment opportunities. A few policy issues are discussed, including the need to preserve the living circumstances of unemployed families and the implementation of several initiatives aimed at reducing the unemployment rate. They also talk about shared responsibilities and the trend toward low-paying erratic jobs. Keywords: Unemployment, Family, Society, Relationships. 1. Introduction The ability of the family system to function normally and maintain homeostasis is impacted by the stressor event of unemployment. Stress can be caused by a variety of factors, such as the loss of the family's social standing, the scarcity of material goods resulting from a financial setback, or the death of an unemployed family member. The system is strained throughout the entire job search process. When the family is viewed as a social system, with each member functioning as a subsystem that both influences and is influenced by other subsystem members, the repercussions of unemployment become evident. It is thought that the family system preserves the homeostasis, or equilibrium, necessary for its survival. Disequilibrium occurs when a system encounters abrupt stressor events, like unemployment. It is not only the unemployed who are impacted by loss or alteration in family obligations. The breakdown of social ties within and beyond a family is a sign that certain families are having difficulties. Based on data from the Periodic Labour Force Survey 2021-2022, the unemployment rate in most northeastern states was greater than the 4.8 percent national average. Despite having the capacity, the motivation, and the will to create a fantastic life for themselves, people in the North East appear to face