LSC: S2 FAMILY

After studying and practicing the activities in this chapter, you will be able to: understand the importance of family to society to promote unity. know the various types of family to develop unity, empathy, loyalty and generosity. understand the roles of different members of the family, to promote the values of individual responsibility. appreciate the values of harmony within the family relationships. understand current family trends. appreciate Christian teaching about family. understand the types of family in traditional African society. understand how modernity has influenced the African family.
understand the nature of the traditional African family.

Keywords

community
courtesy
extended family
family
monogamy
nuclear family
polygamy
family values
harmony
family roles
modernity
family trends

Introduction
In Term two, you learnt about marriage, its meaning, types and importance. In this chapter, you will study and understand the meaning of a family, types of families and the roles of family members. You will also be guided to understand how the family promotes the values of responsibility, unity, loyalty, generosity and harmony as derived from Christianity and African traditional society. You will be guided to know the differences between traditional and modern families. You will also discover what an ideal family is.

Meaning and importance of family You live in a community. You also belong to the community. You stay within a small community which is a home. This is what is also called a family. In this section, you will discover what we call family and how important it is to society. You will discover more on family as you work through Activity 3.1.

Exploring the meaning of family
Activity 3.1
In groups,
1 Use examples to explain the meaning of family.
2 Write about all the members that you think constitute a
family.
3 Share in a discussion how each of the members benefit a
family.
4 Share ideas on how family is important in the society.
5 Write about the family that you belong to and present your
6 work to your teacher and to the rest of the class.

A family is the smallest and basic unit in a society. It is a group
of people who stay together and they are related by blood or
circumstances. In most cases, it constitutes of parents, children,
and relatives. According to the Bible, a family is the direct result
of marriage.
You have now known the meaning of a family as the smallest and basic unit in a society. You have also written about the family you belong to. You will now go ahead to learn about the importance of a family. You will read the story that follow

Activity 3.2 Reading the story and performing the tasks that

My name is Danube, I am 16 years old. One day, I came back home from school and found my sister Melipo packing he belongings. She told me that she was leaving home. She was going to the streets. She said that she was tired of our family. She was just fourteen years. I told my parents about it, and they called our parish priest. When the priest came, He and Melipo got a private conversation. After a short while, they came back happy and smiling. Melipo had changed her mind. She wasn’t leaving home anymore. I was happy. My parents were also happy. The priest bid farewell and went back. That same evening, Melipo told me what the priest told her, she said, “Priest told me not to leave the family because it is the first giver. Family gives us life, name, parents, siblings and home. Family is our first teacher.

Family teaches us how to work so as to meet our needs and society needs, to fit in society. It is our first Church, it teaches us about God and how to pray. Family is the school of culture. It trains us to be good citizens of a nation, it raises us to be responsible members of the society and to meet society needs.
Tax payers, doctors, teachers, engineers, religious leaders, presidents and others are raised by family. Thus, they give back their services to the society. People make families and families make communities and communities make nations”. After her conversation with the priest, Melipo realised that family is very important.
Tasks
In groups,
1 Why do you think Melipo wanted to leave her family?
Where did she want to go?
2 According to the story, how is family a first school, Church
and giver?
3 How does family raise good and responsible citizens?
4 How does a family benefit society?
5 Share your answers with others.

From the story, you can tell that family is a very important unit of community. Every activity involved in the well-being of our lives and our community, involves a family member. Every sector of a nation is being served by a family member. Before one grows up to become an adult, to be independent and serve the community, it is family that nurtures him/her first. Family should, therefore, be highly regarded and protected. It is good to have a family. Young people are encouraged to keep with their families until they have grown because they learn a lot while in a family. Types of family You have discovered the meaning of family, and what constitutes it. You have also understood the importance of family to society.
You will now learn about the major types of family, and their advantages and disadvantages. You will work through Activity 3.3 to understand well. You will also use Figure 3.1 to aid you in
your discussion.

Activity 3.3 Reading the dialogue and performing the tasks
that follow

My name is Danube, I am 16 years old. One day, I came back home from school and found my sister Melipo packing her belongings. She told me that she was leaving home. She was going to the streets. She said that she was tired of our family. She was just fourteen years. I told my parents about it, and they called our parish priest. When the priest came, He and Melipo got a private conversation. After a short while, they came back happy and smiling. Melipo had changed her mind. She wasn’t leaving home anymore. I was happy. My parents were also happy. The priest bid farewell and went back. That same evening, Melipo told me what the priest told her, she said, “Priest told me not to leave the family because it is the first giver. Family gives us life, name, parents, siblings and home. Family is our first teacher. Family teaches us how to work so as to meet our needs and society needs, to fit in society. It is our first Church, it teaches us about God and how to pray. Family is the school of culture. It trains us to be good citizens of a nation, it raises us to be responsible members of the society and to meet society needs. Tax payers, doctors, teachers, engineers, religious leaders, presidents and others are raised by family. Thus, they give back their services to the society. People make families and families make communities and communities make nations”. After her conversation with the priest, Melipo realised that family is very important.
Tasks In groups,
1 Why do you think Melipo wanted to leave her family?
Where did she want to go?
2 According to the story, how is family a first school, Church
and giver?
3 How does family raise good and responsible citizens?
4 How does a family benefit society?
5 Share your answers with others.

From the story, you can tell that family is a very important unit of community. Every activity involved in the well-being of our lives and our community, involves a family member. Every sector of a nation is being served by a family member. Before one grows up to become an adult, to be independent and serve the community, it is family that nurtures him/her first. Family should, therefore, be
highly regarded and protected. It is good to have a family. Young people are encouraged to keep with their families until they have grown because they learn a lot while in a family. Types of family You have discovered the meaning of family, and what constitutes

it. You have also understood the importance of family to society. You will now learn about the major types of family, and their advantages and disadvantages. You will work through Activity 3.3 to understand well. You will also use Figure 3.1 to aid you in your discussion.

Studying the dialogue and Morning the tase
Activity 3.3 that follow
Favor and Faith are in one stream of Senior Two at Bwere Secondary School. They had a conversation as they went to school. You will read it and the tasks that follow: Favor: Good morning Faith.
morning Favour. How come today you didn’t come by car? My father took Grandmother to hospital. I could not wait for him. I would be late for school. Oh, I didn’t know you stay with your Grandmother.

Favour, I don’t only stay with grandmother but also grandfather, daddy, mummy, my four siblings, my two aunties, uncle James, my two cousins Paul and Lucky. our two maids, and the gatekeeper. Waw, what a big family! I think it must be fun. I only live with mummy, daddy, my brother Jeff and our
maid. What does it feel to stay with Mummy and Daddy alone? It has never happened to me. It’s okay. I like it. We get all we need, we have enough space, we are never squeezed in our car, we get enough pocket money but of course we get lonely and bored. Our parents are never there. How
amut you Faith? How is it to be in such a big family? It is fine. I got used. There is enough people to do
work with, to play games with and generally there is company. I can’t be EY)red. I don’t work a lot. But
of ourse. it is costly for my parents. We don’t getenough of what we want. Bills are too big. we are
and we share rooms. Space is limited, no privacy, there is a lot of quarrelling, grumbling, and
rumours. It’s really a lot!

Figure 3.1
Tasks
I There are two kinds of families in the dialogue. Mention
them.
2 Share about the kind of family you come from.
3 Share the experience of being in a big or small family.
4 Write the advantages and disadvantages of being in I
Favor’s kind of family.
5 Write the advantages and disadvantages of being in
Faith’s type of family.
6 If you were to choose from the two families in Figure 3.1,
7 which family would you desire to live in? Give reasons for
your choice.

From the activity you have just finished, you have learnt about two kinds of families. Parents either stay with their biological children only or stay with their biological children and their relatives. In
nuclear families, they stay with children born in that particular marriage and at most housemaids. The extended families consist of husband, wives, children, and relatives like grandparents, aunties, uncles, friends and the ancestors. Both kinds of families have advantages and challenges as you have already discussed.

Other types of families
You have discussed the nuclear and extended families. They are the most common types of families in Africa. But of recent, other types of families have come up in our modern society. They include; foster families, child headed families and female headed families. You will work through Activity 3.4 to discover more on these families.

Researching and discussing other types o Activity 3.4
families
In groups,
1 Use the internet or library textbooks to come up with information on: The meaning of child headed, female headed and foster families. The reasons for their existence. The advantages and disadvantages of each and the hardships they face.
2 Present a word or written document of your findings to our teacher and the rest of the class for discussion. You have researched and discussed about the three kinds of amilies, you will now read the text that follows to understand more.

Child headed families are families headed by children. Female headed families are families headed by women. Foster families are families that adopt children into their families. Foster families come about as a result of parent neglect or loss of parents or parents being unable to look after their children. A foster family is a family that takes a child into their home for a while to take care of him or her. Foster means to take care of and to help to grow and develop. Child headed families result from the death of
both parents or abandonment, divorce or separation of parents, or both parents working and staying in distant places.

Also, child headed families have increased because these days children are no longer taken up by relatives after the death of their parents as it was in traditional Africa. They are left alone to fend for themselves. In most cases, both child headed and female headed families face financial challenges. This limits them in education and other essential needs. Children lack father and mother figures. They also lack guidance and counsel.

They lack role models. They also lack security of the male in the home. Although they face challenges, most of such families have become successful and independent. They try to work hard to develop and establish their lives. Female headed families have come about because of the death of husbands, or after divorce and separation. Wives of recent are no longer inherited by the families of their late husbands.

Besides, all women these days are educated, employed, emancipated economically and can take care of their families than before. Also widows no longer remarry because of HIV. Values promoted by each type of family You have already discussed the five types of families. You know their advantages and disadvantages. You will now discuss the values promoted in these kinds of families. You will use the following activity to accomplish your task.

Researching, discussing and writing about family activity 3.5
values
1 In groups, Use the internet or library books to research and come up
with the meaning of values and family values.
2 Brainstorm examples of family values.
3 Share about the values that are prioritized in your family.
Share how those values helped you to behave in your
community.
4 Identify and write down the values promoted in extended,
nuclear, foster, child headed and female headed families.
With examples, explain how family values are important
to a society.
5 Talk about the values you would want your family to be
known for.
6 Share your findings with your teacher and other groups.

From the research and discussion you ave have known the meaning of values and family values. You have understood that family values are beliefs and ideas that express what is meaningful to a family. They indicate the essential beliefs a family takes to be important. Values are moral beliefs or standards. They are passed on from generation to generation. They can be imparted in a child’s early
years by the parents, siblings, and relatives. Family values if passed on to children and family members cause them to produce a character of kindness, integrity, honesty, generosity, courage, patience, justice, being a good listener, sharing, empathy, helping, forgiveness, among others. Families import good values of hard work, religion, faith, social values like caution, guarding against incest among others.

Family values if passed on to chi them to produce a character of kindness, integrity, honesty, generosity, courage, patience, justice, being a good listener, sharing, empathy, helping, forgiveness, among others. Families import good values of hard work, religion, faith, social values like virginity preservation, guarding against incest among others. Family values strengthen relationships among family members. They shape one to become a good husband, a good wife, a good parent, and a good sibling. Good family values cause people to fit in society. They learn to work to meet their needs and societal
needs. They become good and responsible citizens. A good family makes a good nation and the reverse is true. Value of courtesy in the family and community

You have researched and identified the values that are promoted in family be it nuclear, extended, foster, female headed, or child headed. You have now known that family values affect the society. In this section, you will study about the value of courtesy in family and community. You will work through Activity 3.6 and use Figure 3.2 to aid your learning.

Activity 3.6 Studying, analyzing and discussing the value of
courtesy

In groups,
1 Study and describe what is happening in Figure 3.2 above.
From the observation of the pictures, give the meaning of
courtesy.
2 Mention other indicators of courtesy apart from those
shown in the pictures.
3 Discuss and record why it is important to be courteous in
a family and in a community.
4 Share your findings with your class and teacher.

Other types of families You have discussed the nuclear and extended families. They are the most common types of families in Africa. But of recent, other types of families have come up in our modern society. They include; foster families, child headed families and female headed families. You will work through Activity 3.4 to discover more on these families.

Researching and discussing other types of Activity 3.4 families
In groups,
1 Use the internet or library textbooks to come up with
information on:
2 The meaning of child headed, female headed and
foster families.
3 The reasons for their existence.
4 The advantages and disadvantages of each and the
hardships they face.
5 Present a word or written document of your findings to
our teacher and the rest of the class for discussion.

Courtesy is a value that shows, or expresses or exhibits a polite manner and good behaviour. A person who is courteous is careful and respectful in dealing with others. Courtesy is taught in a family and it is most rewarding when taught to children when they are still young. Courtesy can be shown in someone’s actions, communications, expressions and attitude towards others. You have discussed the meaning of courtesy. You will go ahead to perform the activity that follows to get a deeper understanding
of courtesy.

You have now understood that courtesy is the use of polite manners. Courteous behaviour is directly related to showing respect and honour where it is due. A courteous person is respectful and considerate of others. Courteous behaviours show that one is thinking of others first. Courtesy makes one to be a
more pleasant person to be around. Where there is courtesy, there is harmony and conflicts and frictions are absent. A courteous person treats others with respect and honour. He/she does what is expected of him/her. She/he approaches others accordingly. This applies to family, school, and work place, to strangers and to a wider community. Where there is courtesy, people have good approach and good
attitude. And so they receive good response. Young people need to identify areas where they are lacking in courtesy and improve on them. This will change their behaviors and attitudes. Lack of courtesy leads to embarrassments, rejection and unpopularity. It can destroy families, jobs, businesses and friendships. Being courteous can benefit one in both personal and business relationships. It can help one in family and future career. Young Christians are encouraged to learn and practice to be courteous for the good of others in the society.

Introduction
In the previous section, you learnt and understood the meaning of family, the types and importance of family in society. You also learnt the values promoted in a family and how these values
affect society. In this section, you will learn about the roles and responsibilities of members of the family. This will help you to acquire good values of responsibility, unity, loyalty and harmony.
The role of family members
You already named and talked about the members of the family where you come from. You will discuss ion and learn about the roles each member of the family plays. Work through Activity 3.8 to
discover more on family roles.

Discussing and recording roles played by
members in a family

In groups,
1 Identify the roles of children, parents, aunties and uncles, grandparents and ancestors in a traditional African family.
2 Record your findings using PowerPoint, or written form, or word-process.
3 Role-play, the different roles of family members at home.

From the discussions you have successfully completed, you have discovered roles of family members.
A role is a part played by someone in the community. As it was in traditional Africa and still in modern Africa, a man or father is the head of the family. The father plays the role of an administrator, security and provider and controller of family income and he is in charge of the family’s welfare. In some cases, with the help of elders and grandparents, he carries out a disciplinary role. The mother does production as well as children upbringing in morals, discipline, culture, religion and all forms of formal education. They
prepare and groom children to become responsible citizens. In a traditional family, children carry out household chores like
fetching water, firewood, cooking, washing, cleaning, digging, grazing, and any other work assigned to them. Girls work with their mothers on farms and in artworks while boys help their fathers in hunting, fishing, iron working and others. Aunties and uncles participate in choosing marriage partners, passing on sex education, discipline, values to the young ones. Grandparents and elders take part in family decisions, settling disputes, choosing marriage partners and other rituals like naming. Ancestors are believed to mediate people and the gods, blessing people, or punishing them on behalf of God.

Responsibilities of each family member You have identified the members of a family. You have also discussed their roles in their families. You will now go ahead to
study and describe their responsibilities. Use Activity 3.9 and
Figure 3.3 to aid in your learning.

In groups,
1 Observe and carefully identify the kind of people in each
picture in Figure 3.3.
2 Observe and carefully describe what is happening in each
picture.
3 Explain the traditional responsibilities of family members.
4 Describe how responsibilities of family members have
changed today.
5 Perform skits of the different responsibilities of family
members.

You have successfully performed your tasks in the activity you have just accomplished. Read the following text to understand more. Responsibilities are daily duties, domestic tasks. performed by
family members. Responsibilities depend on the type of family and society. Family have changed today. What used to be responsibilities for men can now be done by women and what used to be responsibilities for women have been taken up by men. Fathers used to provide, plan and make decisions. They were the only heads of families. Women were only responsible for child production, household chores, education and upbringing of children. Today. there are female headed families. In such families. women plan and provide for their families and they are the decision makers. Both in traditional and modern families, children help in domestic work. They also work as messengers to their parents. they help
to go where their parents cannot go. They help them to cross roads. they drive them, and do other things for them. However, some families are child headed. In this case, children assume all the responsibilities of their parents_ They work hard to provide for their siblings and pay all the bills in a home. In some families, fathers and mothers agree to share responsibilities. In foster families, people who are not necessarily
parents. take up the responsibility of biological parents. Roles of different members in a family according to the Bible
You have now learnt that every member in a family has roles-to play. They also have responsibilities to fulfill. In this section, you will be introduced to what the Bible teaches about family roles. You will read and discuss some Bible verses to understand more,

From the scriptures you have just read, you have understood that every member of a family has roles and responsibilities. Parents take care, protect and raise their children well. They pray for them and plan for their future. You have also found out that an ideal relationship in a family is where a wife submits and
respects her husband and the husband loves his wife as Christ loves the Church. Both the husband and wife are God-fearing. A wife is always ready to help the husband. A husband is the head of a family as Christ is the head of the Church. A husband loves the wife and takes care of her. The father takes care of
all the members of the family. They are united and they have a common understanding. Thus the husband loves the wife and the wife respects the husband. A wife obeys the husband and they
are prayerful. An ideal family is where children obey and respect their parents and parents do not treat their children as slaves. They treat them fairly and bring them up with discipline and Christian instruction.
In this case, parents do not mistreat children, they take care of them and do not provoke them to anger. That means, they teach and discipline them in wisdom. In an ideal family, parents are a good example to their children.

Introduction
In the previous sub-chapter, you learnt about the roles and responsibilities of family members. You now know what is expected of every member in a family. In this sub-chapter, you will learn and discover the value of harmony in family relationships. When God created family, His intentions were that family members live in agreement and understanding. This is the state of living together in harmony. Have you seen families where people are in harmony? Can you mention the indicators of harmony in a family?
Families have always tried to live in harmony. In the proceeding activities, you will find out whether harmony can be achieved. Misunderstandings between children and their parents You have understood that harmony is a state of peaceful existence and agreement. One of the important values in a family
is living in harmony. In many cases, family members develop disagreements. In this section, you will study to discover the causes and consequences of the misunderstandings between parents and their children. You will work through Activity 3.11. You may use
Figure 3.4 to aid In your discussion.

Reading the story and performing the tasks that Activity 3.11
follow
In groups, read the story and perform the tasks that follow: Kanyena IS a student at Kisementi Vocational School. Her parents warned her about coming home late but she did not change. One day, she came back very late and they refused to let her in. When she cried hard, they allowed her in for the last time.
The next day, she took a lot of alcohol. She even threatened to fight her father. Because of her disobedience, they stopped paying her school fees. Kanyena is influenced by groups of young people who are unruly. They have even failed school. They roam around the villages and they do not contribute any work in their families.

Tasks
1 Share about a scenario when a parent had a misunderstanding with his/her child.
2 What could be the possible causes of misunderstandings between parents and their children today?

3 How do you think parents and children’s misunderstandings can be stopped?
4 Using biblical teachings, write a letter to a friend advising him/her on how to improve his/her relationship with
parents.
5 Share your responses with your teacher and class.

From the story you have just read, you have discovered that in the modern society, young children have been influenced by peer groups. This and other factors have caused them to become
disobedient to their parents. As young Christians, you should avoid as much as possible the trap of peers who can mislead you thus causing misunderstandings with your parents. You should
follow the Bible teaching to respect and honour and obey your parents.

Causes of misunderstandings between husbands and wives today In families, children are not the only ones who get problems with their parents but also husbands and wives. In this section, you will find out the causes of misunderstandings
between husbands and wives today. Work through Activity
3.12. and Figure 3.5 to discover more.

. Reading the story and performing the tasks that
follow
In groups, read the story and perform the tasks that follow: Mr. Mutwe and his wife Ntwina are always quarrelling and fighting. One day, the LCI chairman approached them to find out the cause of their problems. Mutwe said that his wife does not respect him, she abuses him all the time because she
earns more money than him. Mr Mutwe added that his wife no longer has time for him and the children. She is always using her phone and laptop. When the LCI Chairman asked madam Ntwina, she said she is tired of a lazy man. The man is poor, he does not provide for the family. She added that the man
wants to treat her as a subject yet as a woman she is already emancipated.

Tasks
1 Study the picture in Figure 3.5 and describe what you
think is happening.
2 Discuss and write down the causes of misunderstandings
between husbands and wives today.
3 In your opinion, what do you think can be done to make
the situation better?
4 As a Christian, write down biblical teachings that can help
to stop their misunderstandings.
5 Share your work with your teacher and class for discussion.

There are a lot of misunderstandings among the married couples today than in the past. Among the causes is the influence of women emancipation. Wives are no longer as submissive to husbands as it was before. Couples should be advised to exercise the love of God and respect for one another in marriage.

They should be helped to know that emancipation does not mean losing a sense of morals and values in marriage. Wives should be advised to respect, obey and submit to their husbands of heads of their families. Husbands are also advised to handle their wives with care and love. Men should be advised to work hard and provide for their families so that they earn respect. Husbands and wives should always pray together to get solutions for their misunderstandings. Dangers of family instability on family members and society
You have discussed the causes of misunderstandings among family members. You have also discovered biblical solutions for dealing with such misunderstandings. In this section, you will learn and discover the dangers of misunderstandings. You will work through Activity 3.13.

Kerere and Koleko are friends and workmates.
In pairs, read about their conversation to perform the tasks
that follow:
Kerere:, I have observed you all these days, you
look so stressed, is it true?
Yes Kerere, it is true. You know that I stay with three
of my siblings.
kolere Yes, I know, but what is the matter?
koleko They are all messed up and frustrated. One is
pregnant out of wedlock, another one abuses drugs
and the other is addicted to alcohol.
kerere I think it is too much for you. Why don’t you involve
your parents?
koleko My parents are the cause of all this. They got
misunderstandings and divorced. They left us to
ourselves. We don’t know where they are.
kerere Oh sorry, I didn’t know.

Koleko: In pairs,
I made it here because I studied on bursary. My siblings dropped out. It’s 0k, Koleko, don’t cry. I will talk to my parents. I am sure they will help you out. Our family has been stable. We never got issues. We are all doing well. In fact, let me talk to my parents about it. Your siblings must be helped right away.
Thank you so much Kerere. It’s nothing. That is what friends are for.
1 Act out the dialogue.
2 Share and write a report on:
@ Consequences of family misunderstandings.
o The possible ways of resolving family
misunderstandings,
o The importance of harmony in a family.
3 Share your work with your teacher and class.

Family misunderstandings affect all family members and the society at large. They often lead to divorce or separation. Children from broken homes lack parental care and guidance. They miss out on good family values. They get a lot of frustrations which cause them to become criminals, delinquents and social misfits. Family misunderstandings cause a lot of unrest and tremor among
children. Family businesses, jobs and projects are disrupted once the members start to conflict. Children may run out of their homes to join street life. They might end up in early marriages. Misunderstandings cause couples into adultery as a form of revenge or consolation. This causes unwanted pregnancies,
sexually transmitted diseases and other challenges. Family misunderstandings cause general unrest and lack of peace to the rest of the community. Submission and obedience is required
among family members, children and wives. Harmonious living in families should be encouraged. It makes a family stable and a society peaceful. Couples are advised to forgive each other and reconcile. They should learn to solve conflicts amicably and move on. Family members are advised to communicate properly, open up and learn to accept to agree.

Introduction
In the previous sub-chapter, you studied about the value of harmony in family. You discussed the causes of family misunderstandings and how they can be wiped out. In this sub- chapter, you will study about the current family patterns. You will also discover the causes and the results for the changes.
The current family patterns You have learnt about the traditional African family and its features.
When you look at families in this modern society, do you realize that their settings have changed? How have they changed? Have they changed to good or bad? Work through Activity 3.14 to find
out the current family patterns. You will use Figure 3.6 to aid your
task.

In groups,
1 Observe the pictures in Figure 3.6 and describe what is
happening.
2 Research on the internet or use school textbooks in the
library to find out the traditional African and the current
family patterns. You can put your findings in a tabular form.
3 Discuss and record the causes of the changing family
patterns.
4 Share your findings with your teacher and class.

From the research you have concluded, you have discovered that family patterns have greatly changed. Traditional African families were big and extended in nature. Today, because of money, in the economy where everything is paid for, families are now

nuclear. People no longer produce many children as it was in the traditional families. They produce few children who they can manage properly. Fathers used to be the only heads of families but today, because of emancipation, women work and earn, they are also heads of families. Widows are no longer inherited or remarried because of the fear of diseases. They are left alone to take care of their families. There are also many child headed families because of the increase in divorce and separation,

orphans who are no longer taken over by relatives. There are also foster families today than in the past. In the modern society, families are no longer polygamous, they are monogamous. Men
no longer marry very many wives because it is very expensive. Also, today, some family members live apart in different cities, states or villages because of the nature of their work. Rural urban migration has also affected family patterns. Some family members have moved to towns to work leaving other family members in the villages. Because of family instabilities, there are many single parented families than in traditional Africa where divorce was not

Challenges facing modern family settings You have realized that today’s family settings are different from
the traditional family settings. You will go ahead and find out how the changes have affected the families and society. You will work through Activity 3.15 to discover more.

From the previous activity, you have understood that family patterns have changed from extended to nuclear and from bigger to smaller families. Orphans are no longer integrated in the families of the deceased parents. Widows are no longer remarried in the

families of their dead husbands. any single parented families, child headed, female headed and foster
families. These new family patterns face a lot of challenges. These include, financial problems, especially for the female and child headed families. Financial problems have also caused a lot of individualism, adultery, prostitution, slum developments, several crimes, indiscipline, and selfishness to mention but a few. Family structures are destroyed, Family education and disciplinary sessions are no longer existing. There is loss of family values and therefore, loss of respect for family. People just want to be alone
and selfish. Rich families are becoming better, poor families are becoming poorer. Family gatherings and meetings are no longer important. Some families no longer care for their old parents and grandparents. Other family members do not bury their relatives. Nuclear families are independent and just competing. Children grow without knowing their culture, not even their relatives.
Ways of promoting the right attitudes towards family

From the previous discussion, you have realized that the changes that have taken place in family settings have come up with wrong attitudes towards family. Collective responsibility by family members has died down. Individualism and selfishness have taken over family life. In this section, you will research more to find out the ways of promoting the right attitudes towards family

The current family patterns have brought a lot of individualism and selfishness. It has reached an extent where relatives visit relatives on advance notice or else they are sent away. There is
a lot of competition among families. Family members no longer give to each other freely. They lend and demand for a pay back. Land is divided and sold to rich family members. There is need for family education based on Christian principles. Family days should be created so that people gather and be taught about the importance of family. People should be encouraged to marry and raise families. Christians should come out and teach the message of love and care among families and that we are rothers and sisters, children of one Creator. They should initiate family Sundays and teach family morals and basics.

In the previous sub-chapter, you discovered the current family
patterns. You now know to which extent the African family has
changed and the challenges brought about by the changes. In
this sub-chapter, you will be introduced to the Christian teaching
about family. It will guide you to acquire good Christian family
values.

Bible teachings about family
Do you know that the idea of family was started by God in the
Garden of Eden when he Created Adam and Eve? Do you know
that God had good plans for family?
In this section, you are going to learn what the Bible teaches about
family. You will be required to read a number of Bible verses to
understand more. Work out this through Activity 3.17.

According to the Bible, God is the initiator of family. Children are a sign of blessings from God as a way to multiply, fill the earth and dominate the earth. In a Christian family, children are expected to respect their parents. Wives are taught to respect their husbands and husbands to love their wives. The husband is the head Of the family. Adultery or any unfaithfulness is forbidden. Divorce is discouraged in favor of forgiveness and reconciliation. The Bible encourages family members to live in unity and harmony with the wider community. Also, the Bible encourages Christians to take care of their relatives especially family members. Abraham’s family as an example to identify family values You already discussed family values and how important they are to individuals and the society. In this section, you will read the Bible to find out family values displayed in Abraham’s family. This
will help you to know the good values required in a family.

From the Bible readings about Abraham’s family, you have identified some of the following values:
The values of respect, obedience, loyalty, humility, gentleness, calmness are shown in Sarah’s character. Abraham and Sarah, bearing a child at the age of 100 years while they were still together, shows the values of love, faith, patience, stability, and commitment in their family. If it were not for these values, Abraham would have divorced his wife for failure to give birth. More so, Abraham’s family had values of unity, hospitality, warmness, unity, and service. This is shown when Abraham welcomed the three strangers, took care of them and served them together with his wife. Families should be welcoming. Abraham called upon
God in times of need for example when he desired to have a child with his wife. This shows the value of responsibility and
care. Abraham had a lot of cattle, sheep, slaves and camels. This shows the values of hard work, and discipline of accumulating wealth not spoiling. Abraham’s family exhibited the values of
worship, service, trust and the fear of God when he offered to sacrifice Isaac, his own God given son. Families should serve God. All the above values and many others were exhibited in Abraham’s family. Christians should imitate Abraham’s family.

Relationships within family settings
You have read the scriptures and identified a number of good values in Abraham’s family. In this section, you will be introduced to the expected relationships in a good Christian family setting. You will work through Activity
3.19 to understand more.

Reading the Bible and describing family Activity 3.19 relationships In groups, Read Ephesians 5:22—33.
Describe the relationship within a family that is described
in Ephesians 5:22—33.
What can married couples of today learn from Ephesians
5:22-33?
Discuss the meaning of the term ideal. In your opinion, describe an ideal family.
According to Ephesians 6:1—4, what should an ideal relationship between family members be?

The term ideal is used to mean perfect or model. According to the biblical teachings you have just read, an ideal family is one where children obey and respect their parents. It is where parents treat their children fairly in a way that makes them not angry. It is where children are brought up with Christian discipline and instruction. An ideal relationship in a family is where the husband is the head of the family. The husband cares for the wife, provides and treats her with love. On the other hand, the wife submits,
respects, and obeys her husband with humility. Husbands should love their wives and wives should submit to their husbands to have an ideal relationship based on the biblical teaching.

Introduction
In the previous sub-chapter, you studied the biblical teaching about family. You now know what an ideal family is according to the Bible teaching. In this sub-chapter, you will study and understand the type and nature of African traditional family. The nature of family in traditional African setting Before the coming of Christianity and later on modernity, Africans had a certain kind of family setting. Work through Activity 3.20 to discover more about it.

3 One of the main features of African traditional families was polygamy. Talk about the benefits and challenges of polygamy.
4 Role-play the roles of grandparents, parents and children in a traditional family.

You have now recognized that an African traditional family was
a big one because it comprised of grandparents, the father and mother, their children, grandchildren, relatives and the living
dead. It was a polygamous family where a man married as many wives as long as he had enough wealth to provide for them. They
believed so much in having great numbers of children. All the family members played a significant role. The father was the
head of the family and children were named upon the name of the father. It was therefore patrilineal. Because of polygamy,

families produced many children. These many children provided a lot of labour and parents accumulated a lot of wealth. Many girls brought in a lot of bride wealth. The many boys provided security. You will now go ahead and other activities to discover more on the African traditional family.

As already discussed, a family had a very important place in the community. An ideal family in Africa had to have as many children
as possible. Discipline, morals, enough food and security were very vital for any family. However, modernity has limited the
number of wives to marry and the number of children to produce.Most of the families are no longer communal. Family roles have
also changed, and both girls and boys are valued equally. Family life was important in African tradition because it is where good values were imparted in the young, for example; respect, handwork, harmony, sharing, love, religious values and culture, obedience, responsibility, hygiene, good morals, and upholding family. All the above values are still relevant today.

Comparison between African traditional family an modern family life You have gathered enough knowledge about African traditional and modern families. As a matter of fact, you might be part of either of the two. In this section, you are tasked to give a comparison of the two types of families.

In groups,
1 Which of the two families do you prefer? Give reasons for
that.
2Identify the similarities between traditional and modern
families.
3 Point out the differences between traditional and modern
families. Put them in a tabular form and share your findings
with your teacher and class.

From the above discussion, you have discovered that traditional families are bigger than modern families. Traditional families are extended while modern families are nuclear. Nuclear families are a bit independent while traditional families were communal. Polygamy was a model for traditional families whereas modern
families are largely monogamous. Much as they have a lot of differences, they also have similarities. For example, they both value children production and the father is still the key head of the family.
Lessons drawn from the good practices of a traditional
African family
You have learnt about the features, practices and values of traditional African family life. In this section, you will be guided to draw lessons from such good practices. Discussing and writing lessons drawn from the activity 3.23
good practices of a traditional African family In groups, Remind yourselves on the good practices and values in a
traditional African family.

Write down the lessons you learn from the good practices and share how you will put them in practice at home, school and community.
Share your findings with your teacher and other groups.

From the study you have finished, you have drawn a number of good practices from African traditional family. They include: respect for husbands, elders and fathers, respect for marriage,
love for children, hard work, sharing, and communal responsibility, among others. When children were orphaned, the relatives of the late parent would take over the responsibility of raising their
children in their homes. From this practice, Christians also learn the values of empathy and sympathy for the less fortunate.

From the good practices of African traditional family life, young Christians learn to respect elders and to preserve good culture. They learn to be hardworking so as to earn and to provide for
themselves than begging around. Young Christians learn to take care of their relatives and others to bring unity and harmony in society.

Context
Musale is a 14 year old boy. He lives in Kenanga village with four siblings, two sisters and two young brothers. Both of their parents died and so Musale is now the head of the family. In their home, they have enough food and they can get medical and other necessities of life. They nall go to Busembo Primary School. But, most times they feel bothered about their situation.
Support material

In this chapter, you have learnt that a family is the smallest and basic unit of the community and that it is an important unit in the society. You have also learnt about extended, nuclear, child headed, female headed and foster families. You learnt about the roles of members in a family, most of all, the father being the head of family in an ideal African traditional society. You learnt the family values and their importance, value of harmony in family, the changing family patterns, their causes, challenges and the solutions to those challenges. You went ahead to learn about Christian teaching about a family, ideal family values in relation to the Bible, the nature of the typical African family and it’s place in the society, the good practices in traditional African family and lastly how modernity has influenced
traditional African family. You have also been assessed through the sample activity of integration.
Revision Questions
1 Describe the nature of an African traditional family. Outline the similarities between traditional and modern families.
2 Mention the good practices and values promoted in traditional African family.
3 Identify the African traditional family values that are still
relevant today.