Functional changes in the joint family are the following: 

1. Changes in the provision of common residence: Earlier, a joint family was providing common residence and basic requirements to its members. Nowadays, the location of their jobs is forcing the family members to find their residences elsewhere.

2. Changes in religious functions: Even though some of the family members are. forced to live separately, they celebrate festivals, feasting, marriages, rituals, ancestral worship together at one place.

3. Changes in the role of protection and socialization of children: In joint families uers and other relatives used to take care of children and their needs. Today, various agencies are providing protection through day-care centres, insurance companies, schools and playhomes, maternity homes and orphanages. The roles of the elder members and their importance in the process of socialization has significantly reduced.

4. Changes in economic functions : Earlier, the financial needs of all the members were taken care of by the common fund and emergencies were addressed suitably. As the younger generation move away from the joint family fold, seeking better prospects and employment at far off places, they have to fend for themselves. The earlier economic functions of joint family have changed drastically.

5. Changes in recreational functions: Joint family has almost transformed its recreational activities to the external. Commercial agencies, newspapers, magazines, radio, TV, cinema, videogames and sports have taken over the recreational functions of joint family.