Education and the Extended Family Ideology: The Case of Nigeria

Abstract

The extended family principle provides the ideological basis for social organization, orders social relationships and regulates communal life in most traditional African societies. However, some recent research findings and informed opinions on the effects of Western education, urbanization and industrialization on the extended family system have raised disturbing questions regarding the future of this important institution. The inconclusive nature of the available evidence as it relates to Nigeria has made continued inquiry and the present study necessary. Focusing on level of education and urbanization as the major independent variables, and attitude to basic extended family norms and degree of compliance with customary extended family practices as dependent variables the study seeks to ascertain whether these forces of modernization have produced appreciable effects on the key values that support the extended family ideology. Based on questionnaire data derived from a sample survey of 493 respondents from two communities�one urban, one rural�the study found that while majority of respondents considered themselves duty�bound to help educate, secure employment for and to extend customary hospitalities to extended family members, the proportion of nonadherents to these ideals increased with the level of education. Effects of education and urbanization were not so clear on pattern of extended family expenditure. However, opinion was strongly expressed, especially among the educated and urban respondents that the extended family places too heavy responsibility on loyal members and that it requires some modifications to serve the present needs of Nigeria.