Gharjamai
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Across the Indian sub-continent, the term Gharjamai refers to a live-in son-in-law. The term literally means househusband in Indian languages such as Hindi and Gujarati. The term is used across the sub-continent with different pronunciations and synonyms. In Urdu the word Ghardamad is used where Damad is the Urdu word for son-in-law. The pronunciation Gharjawai is also used.
The everyday meaning pertains to any man that gets married and then lives with his wife's family or depends on the wife's family for support. The term carries a social stigma in Indian society, as husband is traditionally considered responsible for running the household and depending on the wife's family for support is held in a negative view. The term however is not exclusive to the Indian sub-continent. In Egypt, gharjamai is also used to describe 'men' who live with their in laws, thereby forfeiting their honour and dignity. Most notable of these Egyptian ghars is OM (initials only as to keep the subject anonymous and spared further humiliation). OM has been living with his in-laws since the birth of his child 6 months ago, despite his own marital home being a mere 5 minute walk away. He has indeed become something of an urban legend across all governorates in Egypt, his tale being used to warn future husbands of the perils of falling into the ghar lifestyle and the ensuing social mockery. In more modern usage, the overall financial position of the son-in-law is considered and taken into account when using this label; if, for example, the son-in-law possesses land or other property, he is not considered a Gharjamai. Varying definitions exist, however.
As Indians emigrate to Occidental countries, the term Gharjamai has in turn been Westernised, and abbreviated to 'GJ' and is used as a light-hearted insult whenever a married man acts as a subordinate to his wife or her parents.
Films and TV serials both with a serious and light hearted view have been made about this phenomenon.[1]
