Basic 5 · Our World and Our People · My Family
Being a Committed Family Member
In this topic you will explain the need to be a committed member of the family and the roles each member plays.
By the end of these notes you should be able to:
- Explain what it means to be committed to the family
- Describe roles and responsibilities of family members
- Show commitment through daily actions
What you already know
- The family (Basic 4)
Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.
- Strand
- All About Us
- Sub-strand
- My Family
- Indicator
- B5.1.3.1.1 – Explain the need to be a committed member of the family
Introduction
A family is like a team. When every member plays their part, the home is happy and peaceful. When some members do not care, the whole family suffers.
1. What Is Commitment?
Commitment: Being dedicated and loyal, and doing your part willingly.
A committed family member loves, respects and supports the other members, does their duties without being forced, and puts the family's needs before selfish wants.
2. Roles and Responsibilities
| Member | Responsibilities |
|---|---|
| father | provides for the family; protects and guides members; disciplines children |
| mother | cares for and nurtures the family; provides; manages the home |
| children | obey and respect parents; help with chores; learn hard at school |
| grandparents | give advice and teach culture and values; tell stories |
| other relatives | support in times of need, such as funerals and weddings |
In many Ghanaian homes, both parents work and share duties. Children also have important roles, such as sweeping, fetching water, washing dishes, caring for younger siblings and running errands.
3. Why Commitment Is Important
- It brings peace and unity in the home.
- Work is shared, so no one is overburdened.
- Members feel loved and secure.
- Children learn responsibility and good values.
- The family can face problems together, such as illness or loss of a job.
- Strong families build a strong community and nation.
4. Showing Commitment
You can show commitment by doing your chores without being told, being honest, taking care of family property, spending time with family members, helping a sick relative, saving instead of wasting money, and protecting the family's good name by behaving well outside the home. The Akan say "Abusua yɛ dɔm" (The family is a crowd), meaning that the family is a source of strength and support.
Common mistake: Commitment does not mean keeping silent about abuse. If anyone in the family hurts you, tell a trusted adult, teacher or call the police or the Department of Social Welfare.
New words
- commitment
- Dedication and loyalty.
- responsibility
- A duty you must perform.
- nuclear family
- Parents and their children.
- extended family
- Includes grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousins.
- sibling
- A brother or sister.
- chores
- Regular household tasks.
Summary
- A committed member is loyal and does their part willingly.
- Every family member has roles and responsibilities.
- Commitment brings peace, unity and security.
- Children show commitment by doing chores, obeying and behaving well.
Class activity: Family Role-Play
- Act out a family where one member refuses to help.
- Act it again with everyone committed.
- Discuss the differences.
You need: Printed Ghanaian family picture cards, Role-play name cards, Manila paper
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. Which shows commitment to the family?
- A. Doing chores without being told
- B. Refusing to help
- C. Wasting food
- D. Fighting siblings
Show answer
Answer: Doing chores without being toldIt shows willingness.2. Grandparents mainly…
- A. give advice and teach culture
- B. fetch water daily
- C. attend school
- D. pay school fees only
Show answer
Answer: give advice and teach cultureThey pass on wisdom.3. "Abusua yɛ dɔm" means…
- A. the family is a crowd (source of strength)
- B. the family is poor
- C. the family is small
- D. the family is far
Show answer
Answer: the family is a crowd (source of strength)Akan proverb.4. Children have roles in the family.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueSuch as chores and learning.5. Commitment means keeping quiet about abuse.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: FalseAbuse must be reported.6. A brother or sister is called a ______.
Show answer
Answer: siblingSiblings.7. State three responsibilities of children in the family.
Show answer
Answer: Obey parents, help with chores, learn hard at school.Any three.8. Explain how commitment helps a family face problems.
Show answer
Answer: Members support each other, share work and resources, so problems like illness or job loss are easier to bear.Unity is strength.
Homework
- Draw a chart of your weekly household chores and tick them as you complete them.