Strukturalne przemiany rodziny w Afryce Subsaharyjskiej w dobie nowoczesności
Structural changes in the family in sub-Saharan Africa in the modern era

Summary/Abstract: Since colonial times in Africa there have been profound changes in the structure of the family. From the extended multi-generational family, which functioned not only as the basic social unit, but also as a coherent economic system, there is a transition to a nuclear family, two-generational, functioning in the system of modern economy. Despite the passage of more than a century, these changes are still ongoing, because it is not possible throughtop-down interference to introduce such a radical change at the social level. This type of family transformation has its own conditions. First of all, it is associated with the concept ofmarriage and family, which evolves under the influence of monotheistic religions. Further, it depends on the economic and social independence of the monogamous married couple fromthe origin group. Finally, the socio-economic context of the country must enable spouses to obtain material resources for the life of the family. The consequence of this transformation isthe weakening of the proverbial African solidarity and in a situation where the nuclear family is unable to provide a livelihood, it means the weakness of matrimonial bonds, and theformation of a one-parent family. The advantage of change is limiting the number of children, the opportunity to develop initiatives and creativity, as well as creating conditions favorablefor to marital fidelity.

• Details
• Contents