Basic 8 · Social Studies · The Family System
Family Systems in Ghana
In this topic you will describe the nuclear and extended family systems in Ghana and examine who belongs to each.
By the end of these notes you should be able to:
- Explain the meaning of a family
- Describe the nuclear family
- Describe the extended family
What you already know
- The family and its members (Basic 7)
Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.
Lesson 1
- Strand
- Family Life
- Sub-strand
- The Family System
- Indicator
- B8.2.2.1.1 – Examine the composition and functions of the nuclear and the extended families
Introduction
Ask a Ghanaian how big their family is, and they may include aunts, uncles and cousins. Our idea of family is a wide one.
1. What Is a Family?
Family: A group of people related by blood, marriage or adoption.
The family is the smallest and the oldest unit of society. People learn their first lessons, their language and their values there. Families are found in every culture, although their form differs. In Ghana, there are two main systems, the nuclear family and the extended family. Social changes mean that some households also take other forms, such as those headed by one parent or a grandparent.
2. The Nuclear Family
A nuclear family consists of a father, a mother and their children, whether born to them or adopted. It usually lives in one household, and the parents are mainly responsible for the children's care. Nuclear families are common among educated workers and in towns, where people move away from their home towns to find work. A polygynous family is a form in which a man has more than one wife, and all of their children belong to it.
3. The Extended Family
An extended family consists of many relatives beyond parents and children. These include grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews and nieces. In many Ghanaian communities, members live in or near a family house under a family head. The extended family is common in rural areas, though many urban people keep strong links with their extended family, travelling home for funerals, festivals and meetings.
| Feature | Nuclear | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| members | parents and children | many relatives |
| size | usually small | usually large |
| authority | parents | family head and elders |
| common in | towns and among salaried workers | rural areas and family houses |
| care of the elderly | not always nearby | shared by many relatives |
4. Family Heads
The family head, known as the abusuapanyin among the Akan, is usually an elderly respected man. He settles disputes, manages family property and represents the family at funerals and marriages. A senior woman, known as the obaapanyin, gives advice, especially about women's matters. In other societies, the head may hold different titles, but the duties are alike. Family meetings are used to discuss important decisions.
New words
- nuclear family
- Parents and their children.
- extended family
- A family including many relatives.
- abusuapanyin
- The Akan family head.
- adoption
- Legally taking a child as one's own.
Summary
- A family is a group related by blood, marriage or adoption.
- Ghana has nuclear and extended family systems.
- Family heads settle disputes and manage property.
Class activity: Family Tree
- Draw your family tree across three generations.
- Label the members of the nuclear family.
- Share one fact with a partner.
You need: Printed Ghanaian family photographs, Family-tree cards, Kente cloth sample
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. A nuclear family consists of…
- A. parents and their children
- B. only cousins
- C. only grandparents
- D. all the villagers
Show answer
Answer: parents and their childrenDefinition.2. The Akan family head is called the…
- A. abusuapanyin
- B. okyeame
- C. omanhene
- D. imam
Show answer
Answer: abusuapanyinAkan.3. Grandparents are part of the extended family.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueWider family.4. Legally taking a child as one's own is ______.
Show answer
Answer: adoptionFamily.5. Give two differences between nuclear and extended families.
Show answer
Answer: Nuclear is smaller, with parents and children; extended is larger, with many relatives under a head.Comparison.6. Why are nuclear families more common in towns?
Show answer
Answer: People move to towns for work, away from their extended families, and housing is small.Urbanisation.
Lesson 2
- Strand
- Family Life
- Sub-strand
- The Family System
- Indicator
- B8.2.2.1.1 – Examine the composition and functions of the nuclear and the extended families
Introduction
Every family member has a part to play. A home runs best when each one plays that part well.
1. Roles in the Nuclear Family
| Member | Roles |
|---|---|
| father | provides, protects, guides and sets a good example |
| mother | provides, cares for and teaches the children, and manages the home |
| children | respect parents, help with chores, study hard |
Today, both fathers and mothers often earn income, so household duties should be shared. A father can cook and bathe the baby, and a mother can pay the bills. These roles depend on ability and need, not simply on gender. Boys and girls should both do chores, and both should be given time to study.
2. Roles in the Extended Family
| Member | Roles |
|---|---|
| grandparents | tell stories, teach customs, give wisdom and care |
| aunts and uncles | advise, discipline and support nieces and nephews |
| cousins | play together and help each other |
| family head | settles disputes, manages property, represents the family |
3. Children's Responsibilities
Children have rights, but they also have duties. Article 41 of the Constitution, Ghana's Children's Act and family custom all expect responsible behaviour. At home, you should respect your elders, help with chores suited to your age, keep yourself and your things clean and do your homework. Work that is too heavy or that keeps a child from school is not acceptable. Ghana's Children's Act, 1998 (Act 560) protects children from exploitative labour.
4. Relationships and Respect
Respect is at the heart of family life. In Ghanaian culture, younger people greet elders first and do not interrupt them. Communication matters as well: families are stronger when members talk openly about their feelings. Disagreements are normal, but they should be settled calmly. Family members should forgive one another, and they should share in each other's joys and sorrows.
5. Other Kinds of Households
Not every child lives with two parents. Some children live with one parent, a grandparent, an aunt or a guardian. These homes may be just as loving. A family is defined by care and responsibility, not only by its size or its form. Learners should never mock those who live in a different kind of family.
New words
- guardian
- An adult caring for a child.
- discipline
- Teaching correct behaviour.
- role
- The part someone plays.
- chores
- Regular household tasks.
Summary
- Parents provide, care and guide, and children respect and help.
- Extended family members give care, wisdom and support.
- Respect and communication keep families strong.
Class activity: Family Role Play
- Act out a family solving a problem.
- Show the role of each member.
- Discuss what helped to solve it.
You need: Printed Ghanaian family photographs, Family-tree cards, Kente cloth sample
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. Which is a duty of children?
- A. respecting parents
- B. paying rent
- C. building roads
- D. making laws
Show answer
Answer: respecting parentsDuties.2. Which Act protects children in Ghana?
- A. Children's Act
- B. Mining Act
- C. Energy Act
- D. Road Act
Show answer
Answer: Children's ActAct 560.3. Boys and girls should both do household chores.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueEquality.4. An adult caring for a child is a ______.
Show answer
Answer: guardianCare.5. Give two roles of grandparents.
Show answer
Answer: They tell stories and teach customs.Any two.6. Why should parents share household duties?
Show answer
Answer: Both may work, sharing is fair and it sets a good example.Equality.
Homework
- Interview an elder about family roles in the past and today.