This photograph is titled “A Parsee Family” and was taken by William Johnson sometime between 1855-1862 in Western India. The photo depicts a family of four- a mother, father, and two young children. The mother is sitting with her two children standing on either side of her. The father stands to the far right of his family. The photo is obviously posed. The entire family is dressed in seemingly traditional garb of western India. It should be noted that all members of the family are wearing a hat or covering on their head. It is difficult to determine if the children are male are female due to their young age and identical garments. Indians never smile in photographs and this photograph is no different. Who are they? What are Parsees? Are their clothes unique to their specific group? What caste are they in? How do they make a living? The matter in which the family was posed provokes the question of familial roles. The mother is sitting with the patriarch of the family looming over her and their children. Are their disciplines and roles in which women take control within their family and in society as a whole? How are children raised? At what age are they considered adults?

http://digitalcollections.smu.edu/cdm/singleitem/collection/eaa/id/737/rec/2