Family Binding Factors: The Role of Home Economics in Building Harmonious Communities across Borders

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Agricultural / Vocational Education, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike. Abia State, Nigeria.

2 Department of Home Science, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike. Abia State, Nigeria

Abstract

The family is seen as the major institution for human and societal reproduction. It is the only known cultural agent for socialization and interaction in the traditional society. This study explored the possible factors responsible for binding the family as a unique entity, as the key institution responsible for regenerative function of human circulation, the basic foundation for creating life and the only source of promoting longevity and good quality of life thereby building harmonious communities both within and across borders. Secondary data from WHO on challenges of the contemporary families were adapted and a cross sectional survey design was employed to collect data from Umuahia North local government marriage registry of Abia State on number of registered marriages and how to locate some of them resident within. A structured interview questions comprising only 4 major sections addressing 22 major items on building harmony in the family, were administered to 400 married individuals compromising 250 male and 150 female and were all public/civil servants selected from both federal and state government owned ministries and departments. Simple frequency distribution and mean was used to analyse the responses from the respondents. All factors listed were classified as contributing majorly as key index in stimulating the family to harmony as all score above 3 points over and above 2.5 cut-off. It was observed not in any order that issues of concern include initial readiness to start up a family; separation, parenting issues; trust/honesty; unemployment, financial problems, ill-health, addiction, domestic violence, death, discrimination, greed/gluttony, stealing, lack of companionship, lack of communication among others constitute major index militating against the family in a contemporary society.  The study recommended that Home Economics professionals, teachers and practitioners need to braze up to this responsibilities before 2030 if a strong and harmonious family is to be perceived. The study also recommended that most social vices in the contemporary families could be ameliorated if the intact families are peaceful.
 

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Alexandria Science Exchange Journal
Volume 43, Issue 2 - Serial Number 2
SPECIAL ISSUE Sixth Scientific Conference - Second International for Home Economics
March 2022
Pages 39-46

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