Communication and conflict management in the family: Implications for national development

Abstract

This paper assesses communication and conflict management in the family within the framework of implications for national development using a simple random sample of 400 respondents. Findings show that conflict is an inevitable characteristic of the family. However, it has been noted that effective communication would keep conflict in bounds. The position that children raised from peaceful democratic families stand better chances of becoming responsible leaders in the future, led to the recommendation that parents should strive towards raising peaceful democratic families, thus creating an enabling environment for the realisation of national development objectives. Findings also show that peace in individual families will lead to national peace, thus creating an enabling environment for national development. The study identified seven primary areas of family conflict which must be addressed for family to leave in peace.