The Family And Development

To say that what a
child turns out in life depends on the parental packaging of the child which invariably is a function of the family in which the child was groomed may not be anything short of the truth.
My opinion stems from the finding that a parenting style could predict the wellbeing of a child in the domains of academic performance, social competence, psychological development and problem behavior. Perhaps this is why the family is viewed as the nucleus of the society, in short, the foundation of every society is laid in the family.
As a small unit, made up of individuals who are related to one another, sharing reciprocal affections and loyalties and consisting of a household that persists over years, the family is the most primary unit of every society, suffice it to say that the success or failure of every society is determined by the manipulation of the family under which tutelage the leaders of the society were made.
This vantage position of the family, predisposes it to a miniature citadel of learning as there seems to exist a good deal of informal teaching and the child learns by example. Take away the family, the basic ingredients of living will be omitted and a weak, confused and disoriented individual is created.
Early socialization, education, affection, stability, guidance and setting of rules to follow, with emphasis on cheerfulness, affection and trust are visible tools with which the family patterns the society to a desired direction.
If therefore, the family could apply itself to such great service as this, then one could say that a strong family unit contributes to the capitalistic goal of self-improvement and self-promotion. More so, if we truly have bonds with our families then we must look at the society in a warmer light. If the society is made up of families who exchange goods and pursue goals, then the family unit is privileged to combine its efforts with its members to do altruistic services which in all ramifications deserve appreciation.
If you share the view of the school of thought that sees the family “as a critical part of a whole.” Meaning not just nations, but the “world family of human beings,” then you will appreciate the United Nations’ gesture at setting aside a day for the celebration of the families.
As little as the family poses, the United Nations Secretary-General, Mr Ban Ki-moon declares that “as we strive to usher in a more sustainable future, achieve the millennium development goals, shape a new development agenda and combat climate change, let us mobilize the world’s families.”
The declaration of the United Nations’ Secretary-General, together with the theme of the 2014 International   Day of the Families., “Families Matter for the Achievement of Development Goals,” simply reflect the importance the international community attaches to families in acknowledgement of its role in development. Hence, the international day provides a window to promote awareness of issues relating to families and to increase knowledge of the social, economic and demographic processes affecting families.
Like every contributor to a success story, families are celebrated for their roles in development agenda. In its resolution, the General Assembly noted that the family-related nations conferences and summits of the 1990s and their follow-up process continue to provide policy guidance on ways to strengthen family-centered components of policies and programmes as part of an integrated comprehensive approach to development.
A day as the International Day of Families offers an opportunity to refocus on the role of families in development, take stock of recent trends in family policy development, share good practices in family policy making; review challenges faced by families worldwide and recommend solutions.
Parenting no doubt is a very challenging obligation, from the task of child rearing which is energy and pulse sapping, to the satisfaction of endless children’s needs (comfort, attention, the best of everything money can buy) Scott Forbes describes parents as primary care givers. However, because of severe economic hardship, parents are tempted and forced by circumstances of life to relegate their positions of primary care giving to Montessori schools, nannies or house helps leading to less bonding between parents and children. The effect of this gap is hostilities and antagonism.
In a heterogeneous society as ours, the bond we share in our families can have an overwhelming influence in unifying a diversified whole called Nigeria.

 
Sylvia ThankGod-Amadi