While women gain authority in homes, this shift is largely situational, born of their husbands’ absence rather than societal transformation
The Goan landscape has long been shaped by its unique engagement with seafaring livelihoods. Within families dependent on merchant navy earnings, a silent yet significant shift occurs, impacting traditional power dynamics and redefining family roles. While financial prosperity flows from afar, it creates emotional and structural voids in domestic life. The absence of the husband for extended periods leaves the wife not merely as the caretaker of the household but as an unintentional matriarch, assuming a dominant role, particularly within joint family settings. This transformation highlights a sociological phenomenon where power and authority within families undergo subtle reallocation.
In many Goan households, the husband’s absence over months or even years compels the wife to assume an active role in managing familial responsibilities. This situation creates what scholars describe as *seasonal abandonment*, wherein the benefits of affluence are weighed against emotional absence (Chant & McIlwaine, 2009). Traditionally patriarchal joint families, where the father-in-law’s word prevailed, experience a recalibration of roles. The daughter-in-law, often constrained by cultural norms to a subordinate position, is thrust into decision-making authority. This shift reflects a form of “matriarchal authority by default,” which arises not from explicit power struggles but from practical necessity.
Sociological studies on family structures highlight that a power vacuum often necessitates redistribution within households. In the absence of the son, the daughter-in-law must oversee household finances, childcare, and decision-making in property or familial disputes (Thapan, 2014). The authority once exercised by the son as the bridge between his wife and his parents gradually transitions to the wife herself. Her management of daily affairs reflects a convergence of traditional caregiving roles with modern forms of authority, creating a hybrid matriarchal leadership.
In many Goan families, the father-in-law, who once embodied traditional patriarchy, comes to rely on the daughter-in-law’s competence. Her role expands from that of a passive caregiver to an active decision-maker. The responsibilities include managing educational aspirations for children, ensuring financial prudence, and safeguarding the family’s standing in the community. Through these roles, women occupy spaces of influence that were previously unattainable in the presence of their husbands. This adaptation highlights the resilience and adaptability of familial structures in Goa, a region historically shaped by diasporic economic models.
Nevertheless, the evolving power dynamic is not without its challenges. While wives fill leadership roles with competence, the emotional void caused by prolonged absences of husbands remains a point of contention. Children growing up with one dominant parental figure can experience disruptions in familial balance. Researchers note that single-parent authority, even within joint families, can have long-term psychological and behavioural impacts on children (Panda & Mishra, 2021). Mothers who step into paternal roles often carry dual emotional burdens, balancing their own loneliness with the demands of running a household.
The emotional strain on fathers must also be acknowledged. Despite their financial contributions, their absence during formative years of their children’s lives fosters feelings of displacement upon return. Fathers, long perceived as providers, struggle to reclaim traditional positions in households where power has organically shifted. Family reunions during festive seasons, such as Christmas, become both joyous and complex — offering moments of unity while revealing undercurrents of change within family dynamics. These reunions highlight the enduring strength of familial ties, offering hope and reconciliation in the face of emotional challenges.
The sociological implications of this phenomenon extend beyond the household. Women, particularly in merchant navy families, are increasingly seen navigating public spaces with confidence, whether driving large vehicles or managing social commitments. Their visibility challenges traditional notions of female domesticity while symbolising economic empowerment. However, empowerment in these contexts is complex. While women gain authority in their homes, this shift is largely situational, born of their husbands’ absence rather than societal transformation.
A further layer of complexity is added within joint family systems. The presence of the father-in-law, often viewed as the traditional patriarch, creates subtle power negotiations. Women must balance respect for senior family members with the practical need to assert authority. In such settings, their leadership becomes a quiet, conciliatory process, maintaining familial harmony while steering household affairs. The capacity of women to navigate these dynamics reflects a blend of cultural adherence and contemporary agency.
Goan society, deeply rooted in familial bonds and communal living, faces a need to reconcile the benefits of economic affluence with the emotional and social costs of absence. The phenomenon of seasonal abandonment, while economically beneficial, raises concerns about the well-being of families who rely on external incomes. Policymakers and sociologists have long argued that remittance economies must address their social implications, particularly in the context of family cohesion (Levitt, 1998).
Solutions lie in fostering stronger support systems for such families. Community-based initiatives, counselling programmes, and greater inclusion of men in family-related discussions upon their return can mitigate the emotional challenges posed by prolonged separations. Encouraging open dialogue between family members ensures that power dynamics remain constructive rather than divisive.
The merchant navy economy undeniably sustains livelihoods across Goa, yet it also reshapes family structures in ways that demand reflection and understanding. The wives of merchant navy workers, who quietly assume leadership roles, highlight the resilience of families navigating emotional absences. Their ability to balance authority and care offers a model of strength rooted in adaptation. As families come together during Christmas, these moments of reunion highlight the enduring hope for unity — a reminder that beneath economic and social transformations lies the unyielding foundation of familial love and resilience.
