Family

(b) The science behind

Close relatives, when they get married, produce children who are biologically weak. They stand high chances of getting diseases that are passed on from previous generations.

(c) Challenge for present Africa

Keeping our culture and traditions, especially the practices and beliefs that are still relevant today, cannot hold back Africa. On the contrary, this approach will promote vibrancy in African societies that will result into enhanced economic progress – just like it has happened in several Asian countries.

(d) What you need to consider

i. Do you know of a disease called sickle cell?

ii. Are you aware that sickle cell is a problem that comes from both one’s mother and one’s father?

iii. Which other inheritable diseases are you aware of?

iv. How can we prevent diseases mentioned in (ii & iii) above?

v. Can you point out practices in your culture that are beneficial to the present day and therefore worth keeping?

vi. Can you become an advocate of what you list in (v) above?

b) The science/psychology behind

-The well-being of any society starts with a functioning family. A society’s well being therefore depends largely on how it helps the newly formed marriages overcome their subsequent challenges.

-Because parents have acquired a lot of knowledge and experience about marriage, they become better guarantor of their children’s marriages, provided they are respected and listened to.

(c) Challenge for present Africa

Family is one of the most threatened entities in many African countries, as evidenced in the increasing numbers of divorces, separations, dysfunctional homes, single mothers, domestic violence, street children, among others. This challenge needs to be addressed, if African countries are to become stable and prosperous societies.

(d) What you need to consider

i. Have you ever seen street children?

ii. If no, learn it from today that living on a street is the most unfortunate situation to be in as a child.

ii. Did you know that majority of the street children are a result of the weakening/disappearing African family, i.e. a family with no/limited African values?

iii. In other words, the problem of street children will increase – if we do not protect the remaining African family, at least until the country can attain and sustain a functional welfare system.

iv. How can the African family be protected?

iv. What is a welfare system?

iv. Why is it difficult to establish a welfare system in many African countries?

iv. What should you do as a generation, to have a functional welfare system in your country?

b) The science behind

Cow-ghee increases the chances of the dried umbilical cord to float. The whole practice was largely psychological, meant to safeguard the biological right of the father in a family.

(c) Challenge for present Africa

It is now possible to establish a child’s true father using paternity testing. As to whether these tests will promote stability in marriages, just as its ‘equivalent’ largely in traditional Africa, remains to be seen.

(d) What you need to consider

i. What problems do marriages face, if partners fail in becoming faithful to one another?

ii. How can faithfulness be promoted among married people in your country?

iii. Have you ever heard of herbs secretly administered in marriages to secure a partner’s faithfulness?

iv. If yes, do you believe they work?

v. If your answer in (iv) above is yes, would you administer the same to your partner?

vi. More importantly, are you aware that (a) some of the mental ill-health cases in marriages might be attributable to such herbs? (b)  marriage is secured not by ‘medicines’ but by the partner’s attitude and behaviour?

v. How can the use of herbs to secure marriages be minimised?

v. How can people’s attitudes and behavior be improved in fostering marriages?

(b) The Science/Psychology Behind

The weak and vulnerable in traditional Africa survived largely because of the extended family system. All children were assured of a future mainly because of the extended family system.

(c) Challenge for present Africa

The extended family system is dying before African countries can put in place a functional social welfare system. This puts these countries are at cross roads. It explains the increasing neglect faced by the elderly, orphaned children and widowed mothers in the country.

(d) What you need to consider

i. Have you ever seen old people in your community?

ii. Do you know that these old people were once young like you?

iii. Are you aware that they grew up and many worked hard for the country you are in?

iv. Is it fair for your country not to take care of them, when they become weak and old?

v. What can be done to help the elderly and orphaned children in your community?

You can promote family stability in your country by interesting students in your school into debating and bringing to their attention timeless values in the African family.