The Family is the most important
social institution I know of. It is the
backbone of any individual. Most
times, the success and or failure of
people can be traced to the kind of
family they come from. From birth
to death, our families play crucial
roles in our lives.
At birth, a child only knows
immediate members of his family.
His her parents or guardians
bring that child up in the best
possible way and according to
their beliefs, customs and traditions.
There are different types, forms and
patterns of families, depending on
where one cones from but for the
purpose of this article, I will limit
my scope to the African continent
where I come from.
In Africa, we have Monogamy,
polygamy, Polyandry and other
forms of family systems. However,
the most common forms of family
systems here are Polygamy and
monogamy. Africans are usually
polygamous in nature especially
wealthy people. Polygamy is a
situation where a man has more
than one wife. Monogamy is a
situation where a man has only one
wife. It all boils down to the beliefs,
religion and family ties of people.
In Nigeria for example, Muslims
and traditionalists are very
polygamous in nature and their
religious beliefs supports them.
Some of them can even take as
much as 10 wives if they so wish
and can cater for their family.
Only Christians in Africa are
committed to monogamy. However,
in recent times and because of
better education, enlightenment
and the harsh economic situation
in Africa, people are fast embracing
Monogamy.
Thee re basically two broad forms
of family systems here in Africa.
The Nuclear and the extended
family systems. The nuclear family
system involves just a man, his wife
and children. The extended family
system on the other hand is a type
of family system in which several
nuclear families who have common
blood ties fuse together as one
family. In most cases, they are
usually descendants of one
ancestral father usually called the
patriarch of the family.
Also, We have the patrilineal and
Matrilineal forms of family
structures. Most families in Africa,
are usually patrilineal. A Patrilineal
family structure involves the
devolution of authority in the
family towards male members of
the family only. Women are
excluded from decision making in
the family and can never inherit
properties. Everything in the family,
flows through the male line of the
family.
However, There are small cases
where Matrilineal forms come into
play. In Matrilineal form,
authority and the right to inherit
properties, are only the preserve of
the female line of the family.
I have taken my time to briefly
highlight the various systems,
forms and types of families in
Africa to help you all Steemits in
your decisions. Many of you may
be planning on project executions
in Africa like purchase of lands,
establishments of companies, and
recruitment of staffs. It is therefore
important you know and
understand the various family
systems at play over there in Africa
o as to know about the best
approach to handle the natives
therein in other to avoid problems
for yourselves.
I hope this has blessed someone.
The best of the weekend.