Cross-Cultural Family Structure between Muslim and Santal Communities in Rural Bangladesh: A Review

Family structure is a fundamental part of social structure on which human beings immemorially adapt from one generation to another to environment. In recentyears cross-cultural studies around the world are increasing to seek universal knowledge on family structure. Based on relevant literatures review this study focuses ondifferences in family structure between Muslim and Santal communities in rural Bangladesh. In so doing family structure is elementally classified into family size and pattern, family status and role, ownership of family property, family authority and communication. Relevant literatures reviewed suggest that there are wide culturalvariations in the elements of family structure between the two communities in rural Bangladesh. Empirical research should conduct on why the elements of family structure are different between the two communities in Bangladesh.