International Journal of Social Science and Human Research ISSN (print): 2644-0679, ISSN (online): 2644-0695 Volume 07 Issue 01 January 2024 DOI: 10.47191/ijsshr/v7-i01-112, Impact factor- 6.686 Page No: 866-871 IJSSHR, Volume 07 Issue 01 January 2024 www.ijsshr.in Page 866 Sociological Insights: Rethinking Decision-making in Evolving Patriarchal Family Structures Sanchita Agarwal 1 , Prof. Md. Arshad 2 1 Post Graduate Student of Institute of Social Science, Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Agra 2 Prof. Of Dept. of Social Science, Institute of Social Science, Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Agra ABSTRACT: This research paper delves into the complex interplay between family structures, women's roles, and their agency in decision-making within patriarchal societies. This paper focus on how traditional joint families, with their entrenched gender roles and centralized authority, limit women's participation in household choices. In contrast, nuclear families offer some hope, with greater autonomy and shared decision-making processes opening doors for challenging established norms. Marital status and employment status also emerge as key factors, with unmarried women and employed women demonstrating greater flexibility and influence. Financial autonomy further nuances the picture, showcasing both collaborative approaches and conditional independence for women. Ultimately, the distribution of decision-making power reflects the uneven terrain of gender equality, highlighting the persisting influence of patriarchal structures. This paper underscores the need for dismantling these structures and fostering truly collaborative familial environments to pave the way for a more equitable future for women. KEYWORDS: Family expectations, eve empowerment= contextual in nature, psychological empowerment=motivational construct, Decision making, Roles and Status and Household. INTRODUCTION The traditional image of the patriarchal family – a rigid hierarchy with the male breadwinner at the helm and the female homemaker in unquestioning deference – is increasingly cracking under the pressures of modernity. Evolving family dynamics including changes in household structures, from single-parent households to dual-career partnerships. They are reshaping domestic landscapes, prompting a crucial question: how have these shifts impacted women's roles, responsibilities, and, most importantly, their power in decision-making? This research delves into the fascinating and complex interplay between women’s roles and status and their decision-making power prompted by family expectation within the household. Moving beyond simplistic narratives of "oppression" or "empowerment" to explore the nuanced ways in which diverse family dynamics influence the distribution of power and the very process of decision- making itself. the evolving power dynamics within the very core of society by understanding how women's agency and decision-making power are shaped by the shifting sands in family dynamics, so that we can pave the way for more equitable and empowering domestic landscapes for generations to come. Its focus is not just on where women stand in the reshuffled deck of responsibilities (domestic labour, childcare, finances), but on the very cards they're dealt – how negotiating roles, sharing burdens, and influencing decisions have been redefined by these changing household structure. With evolution at societal level, family structures stand as dynamic reflections of broader transformations, mirroring the ebb and flow of cultural, economic, and social currents. To unravel the complexities of evolving family dynamics and their profound impact on the roles and responsibilities of women within the family unit- a comprehensive exploration has been analysed in this research- changing trends in family structures impacting women’s roles and responsibilities and the dynamics of decision -making within the household. This paper is an attempt to study the evolving role of women in the changing Patriarchal family in India. REVIEW OF LITERATURE 1. Agarwal Bina- “Bargaining and gender relations: Within and beyond household” Author discusses the bargaining approach as a useful tool to understand gender differences and how they are shaped and challenged. She emphasizes that understanding family dynamics is complex but crucial. She also expands the idea of bargaining beyond just