In a joint family, resources are often pooled into a "common purse". This structure provides economic security but sometimes at the cost of individual development or privacy.
Traditional Indian families operate on rigid hierarchies based on age, gender, and birth order. The eldest male (patriarch) often makes major decisions regarding education, careers, and marriages.
The rhythm of daily life varies significantly between urban and rural settings. What I Took Back Home with Me After 6 Weeks in India