Family values, key in growth of upright society
Family values, sometimes referred to as, traditional or cultural values (that is, values passed on from generation to generation within families, that pertain to the family’s structure, function, roles, beliefs, attitudes, and ideals are essential to every family’s growth.
In the social sciences, sociologists may use the term “traditional family” in order to refer specifically to the child-rearing environment that sociologists formerly called them norms.
This “traditional family values” involves a middle-class family with a breadwinner father and mother, raising their biological children. Any deviation from this family model is considered a “non traditional family”.
Non traditional families, nevertheless, make up the majority of African households, as of now.
Speaking to www.westfm.co.ke the ACK Bishop George Mechumo of the Bungoma diocese noted that, family values have not been insisted on by most parent, a situation that is deteriorating day in day out, thus leading to a spoiled society and more so decayed government.
According to Dictionary “family values” is defined as “the moral and ethical principles traditionally upheld and transmitted within a family, as honesty, loyalty, industry, and faith.”
According to Oxford Dictionaries.com, “family values” are “values held to be traditionally learned or reinforced within a family, such as those of high moral standards and discipline.
The African family includes extended families, as the extended family provides the individual with a sense of identity.
The father is usually the leader, breadwinner, provider, protector and spokesperson of the family, whereas the mother is usually the maker of the home and the main nurturer of the children.
Parents are regarded with high respect, and children are highly encouraged to respect and obey their parents.Oftentimes, families provide elderly care.
Until recently, because families and friends are expected to provide elderly care, the concept of the “nursing home” is considered culturally unacceptable.
In normal circumstances daughters may accompany their fragile mothers while sons may accompany their fragile fathers but due to changes in the current setting its advice able for all children to be taken care of by all parents on equal ground as we struggle as a society to instill values among our children.
There is need for family to get back to the drawing board and do checks to identify where did the family go wrong that, family values are not be taken into consideration, thus we are experiencing bad leadership that to an extend it is frustrating all and sundry.
It should be understood that cultural and values means a submission to the will of God, indisputable fact in the academic literature suggests that the family is regarded as the main foundation of the society and culture.
The family structure and nature of the relationship between family members are influenced by their religion, and therefore its very important for all in the society to make sure that children are brought up in an environment that prevail the rightful religion and the rightful religious doctrines.