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![Profile picture of uzikelegbe]()
uzikelegbe posted in the group OLOMORO TELESCOPE
Something got me thinking. What kept families tied so strong over the years? Obviously not education, not civilization, not technology, nor was it religion. Rules were enforceable, standards were set, families developed behavior patterns that became family cultures. Even when siblings travel far and even create new families, the tie to home were so strong that the joy of coming home and reuniting is overwhelming. How was this sustained over the years? What made this evaporate?
You will realize that these days with civilization, education, technology and even religion preaching love, families are more disintegrated, hate and mutual suspicion is high, home (village) has the stigma of witchcraft and wickedness.
What held us together before? What has now turn these generations apart?
3 Comments-
![Profile picture of Francis Akenami]()
However, if I want to engage you from the point of view of academic ramblings, you can have the following summary to take home. Some factors that have changed the Nigerian family structure include:
Economic conditions
Poor economic conditions have led to a rise in monogamous marriages over polygynous marriages.
Urbanization
Increased urbanization has led to more employment opportunities outside the extended family.
Education
More women are getting an education and entering paid employment.
Cultural values
Changes in cultural values have made it more difficult for families to care for the elderly.
Family structure
The Nigerian family structure has seen an increase in single parenting, separation, divorce, and homosexual relationships.
Other factors that have changed the Nigerian family structure include:
Poor economic conditions, Religion, Modernization, Infidelity, Alcoholism, Domestic violence.
The socio-economic impact of HIV/AIDS has also affected the value system of the family.
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![Profile picture of uzikelegbe]()
I agree with you Dr Francis. One thing that come to mind, though crude is the Family Asset, especially farm lands. Sharing the land during farming seasons brings all family members together. Even those not residing at home, especially adult males would pay their contributions.
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Dear UZ – Let me address you in a very personal and passionate way in this matter. The simple answer is that globalisation has caused disintegration of the extended family structure. We have copied the ways of the white man. Looking at some specifics I will further pin it down to the reduced number of people who are currently participating in subsistence agriculture. Self subsistence farming was a major binding force for the extended family system. Christianity has also caused the break-down of the extended family system as fewer people now participate in traditional festivals. The list goes on.