A Sociological View of the Role of Christian Family in

Port Harcourt Journal Of History & Diplomatic Studies | www.phjhds.com Vol.7 N0.1 March, 2020

A Sociological View of the Role of Christian Family in Nation Building in Contemporary Nigeria 113

A Sociological View of the Role of Christian Family in Nation Building

in Contemporary Nigeria

By

Odudele Rotimi, PhD

Department of Christian Religious Studies

College of Education, Ikere Ekiti

Ekiti State, Nigeria.

GSM: +2348033663188, +2349070221747

E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract Previous studies have focused on several areas of the Christian family in

general, with no serious attention paid to the strength of the Christian

family in nation building in contemporary Nigeria from sociological point

of view. Hence, this work examines the understanding of the Christian

family, its importance and roles in the task of nation building. The

methods adopted in this study are the historical and descriptive methods

of enquiry. The paper discovers that it is within the family that one from

childhood learns moral, religious, social, cultural values and discipline. It

strongly posits that if the family is allowed to discharge it obligations vis-

a-vis the task of national development, the nation building project will be

made easier. The political, social, economic and cultural imperatives are

highlighted

Key words: Sociological view, Role, Christian family, Nation building,

Nigeria.

Introduction

The family is the smallest unit of human social organization. The family is

a product of a very important institution, which is marriage. The family is

the most crucial and basic group in our society today. It is the community

of parents and children. The provision of economic, educational and

spiritual needs is the basic functions of the family (Adeyemo, 2015). The

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place of the family in any nation or society cannot be underestimated as

long as it remains its vital cell and through it maintains and renews itself.

The nation itself is a conglomeration of families linked together by social,

economic, political, religious and geographical factors. Many nations today

fall because they fail to recognize the influence of the family in the various

facets of their existence as nations. They do not accord the family its due

honor, attention or rightful place among other institutions (Adisa, 2019).

Besides, the intellectual and moral development of a man depends on the

level education and trust esteem within the family. There are certain roles

such as reproduction, economic and educational the family plays in the life

of a nation and without which the nation may face extinction. Many nations

today have toyed away with the educational roles of family especially the

parental influence on the education of the young ones. This has led to

dreadful consequences. Also, the neglect of family influences on economic

prospects has led many countries into economic woes (Ogunyemi, 2007).

No doubt, many documents echo the fact that the family is the original,

basic and vital cell of the society or any nation. Thus, when individual

families and community of families are not in order, then, order is far from

the nation. It is within the family, that one learns morals, religious, social

and cultural values and discipline. The society is able to maintain its

existence and growth and get its shares and contributions from her

individuals through the family. Just as certain functions of the individuals

within the family are inevitable for the family to keep going, so are certain

functions of the families considered imperative for the continued existence

of the society and vice versa. “The restoration of human society as a whole

constantly begins with the renewal of the family” (Odudele, 2006). Little

wonder, it is usually said that charity begins at home.

Sociological Functions of the Family

The family is the basic social institution composed of persons united

together by ties of marriage, by blood, adoption, by common consent and



characterized by common residence and economic co-operation. There are

many kinds of family units all over the world, but their roles are mainly the

same. The family as a unit carries out many important function in a society.

Individual family members also carry out specific functions within and

outside the family. These members relate to each other in special ways.

Families also pass through a family life cycle. It is through the recognition

of the functions of the family that members contribute effectively to family

living (Odudele, 2015).

Sociologists as well as anthropologists have testified to the strength and the

inevitable roles of the family in the existence and development of any

nation. The family in its importance has relevance with many life issues

such as justice, education, politics, economy, cultural advancement, just to

mention a few. The above themes are great pillars in the task of national

development and the family is one of the most pertinent succors to look out

for. Having chosen “the family” for this task, it is wise then to start by

exploring the challenges of the family, importance and strength in the

nation or society. It will consequently focus on certain temporal orders

through which the family can exert its influence on the development of the

nation. According to Adisa (2019), a Christian sociologist, the functions of

the family are as follows:

1. Securing a legitimate and responsible basis for procreation and

rearing of children.

2. Regulating behaviours in relation to the satisfaction of desires,

achievements and maintenance of other desired qualities and

relationship.

3. Providing a continuing and detailed fashion, in the young, the

earliest and most impressive education of values and modes of

behaviour that are appropriate to all kinds of social activities within

and beyond the family.



4. It accomplishes socialization process thus, functioning as agent of

socio-tradition.

5. Serving as the source and sustainability of economic strength of the

society (Ogunbameru, 2019).

In a nut shed, the family is the institution we owe our humanity, it is always

a conspicuous feature of a social organization within which certain

functions are imperative for the continued existence of the nation (Badejo,

2011). The authority, stability and life of relationship within the family

constitute the foundations for freedom, security and fraternity within the

society. It is the community in which from childhood one can learn moral

values, begin to honour God and use of freedom responsibly. According to

Odudele (2015):

The family has a vital and organic link with society. Since it is its

foundation and nourishes it continually through the role of service

to life: it is from the family and citizens come to birth and it is

within the family that they find the first school of social virtues

that are the animating principles of the existences and development

of society itself.

At whatever level one wants to see the nation, there is no way it is

unconnected with the family. Can any nation think of development in

economy and politics without her citizens? The failure or inefficiency of the

family certainly leads to the failure of the nation. Thus, the Christian

families being a veritable part of the Nigerian entity shares the basic

functions and therefore is expected to key into her developmental strides.

There is, therefore, a natural tendency for human beings to join together

because of the benefits that can be derived from such group. Every member

of the group must support by sharing in its responsibilities. The children

should be trained to appreciate values such as good homes, happiness,

good behaviours, education, honesty, hard work, and the family name. they



need a training that would make them practical-man and woman who can

cope with emergencies. The Nigerian family is an embodiment of the

tradition and customs (Olarewaju, 2005). It is a complex setup with the type

of marriages and family systems, practiced, side by side with one another.

Emphasis on the Strength of Christian Family in Nation Building

The family is made up of a group of persons united by ties of marriage,

blood, or adoption and characterized by common residence and economic

co-operation. The family is often composed of a man, his wife and their

children. In Nigeria, we have three main types of family units. These are

unit and the nuclear family unit, the polygamous family unit and the

extended family unit. For the mission of the family to build the nation is

intimately lined with the injunction of Christ, that the good news must

reach to the ends of the earth and all mankind must be saved (Orebajo,

2000). This unjust is not limited to the members of the Christian community

alone but whatever nation they exist. As such, the Christian families have a

duty to contribute to the building of the nation.

The biblical statement, “though, not of the world but in the world,” implies

that the Church in a very genuine and steadfast way continue to give a

highly considerable attention to the world within which it is established by

permeating its political, social, economic, cultural orders. The Church

continues to see this temporal order, a world which exercises much

influence on her children, as such it becomes very pertinent that the world

is reached through charisms of her families. To achieve this the Church is

placing the task of the reach of her faithful (families) and really trust them

to be up to this task with their variety of charisms from which arise the right

and duty to build the nation. Evidently, present circumstances make much

demands such that no less fervent a zeal is in true demanded of the

Christian families, who are at one and same time Christians and citizens of

Nigeria, and must, with a single conscience be guided by the two domains

contribute to build the nation. Besides, the expectations of the Church on



the family and the support she gives to it to evangelize the world, the

circular world, the society or any nation expects her families to use their

strength to raise the standard of the nation (Dare, 2017). Upon this premise,

it becomes expedient for family to get seriously involved in the task of

building the nation. What are the specifics of this task?

The Political Order

The issue of whether Christians should take active part in politics or not is

a controversial one. Nevertheless, it is not debatable that the Christian has

a very significant role to play in seeking the common good of the citizens.

Having learnt from the virtues of Christ, Christian families should partake

actively in the political affairs of the country and positively influence it.

When Christian families, as a matter of obligation, participate in the politics,

it is expected that they express the virtues imbued in them by Christianity.

This is a major way they can build the nation. The Authority of the church

particularly stipulate the Christian families have the obligation of rendering

to the state whatever material or personal services required of them for the

common good (Odudele, 2019). The Church today corrects the wrong

impression that it is wrong for Christians to participate in politics but

encourages them to actively be involved in the control of the affairs of their

governance.

Thus, it is possible for a Christian family to participate in partisan politics

of this country, Nigeria. If the righteous shy away from leadership or

political positions, others are always there to embrace it. Any Christian who

can do it faithfully is not condemned in the word of God. Anyone who can

do it without being stained as a Christian should go on. The fact that few

Christians do horrible things in politics, does not mean Christians cannot

do it successfully. Why are Christians called salt and light of the world?

What are they ‘salting and lighting’ without their involvement in politics?



Besides, Christian families should not just vote during elections, they are to

join political parties of their choice and be actively involved in all the

electoral process, contesting elections and making themselves available for

appointive positions. By contesting in elections, seeking and accepting

political appointments, there will be more Christians in both the executive

and legislative arms of the state. Thus, Christians need to be aware that it is

not enough to keep castigating or rebuking those in the government

without being part of the decision making. Christians in Nigeria are

challenged not to sit on the fence any longer and be talking about what is

happening in the government but be actively involved and show the world

the light and the salt in Christianity.

Christians are called upon to re-examining their opinion and attitude about

politics. Emphasis should be placed on how to make politics in Nigeria not

a do-or-die affair. This can happen when Christians see politics as an

essential element of our society and fully involved in it by echoing Christian

morals of love and respect for one another and sanctity of life. In other

words, Christian participation in politics should not be limited to prayer on

their society alone. They are to be part of the government by allowing

biblical injunctions to influence their actions and behaviours. The

Christians who participate in politics should be involved in a lawful

manner. Therefore, the issue of spiritual commitment should not be

hindrance to Christians’ involvement in politics rather its principles that

hangs on truth and righteousness should be taken into party politics.

With all these, it belongs to the realm of the Christian families, to build the

nation through political participations while remaining faithful to the

reasonable demands this noble calling might be making on them and as

well remain as beacon of good politics mindful of the fact that the church

also reserves the duty and obligation to call them to order if they are

straying from the right course. Christian families can form associations and

solidarities which can give them one voice or a united voice in matters



concerning their political life such that can further the course of justice,

developments and peace in all other sphere of nation building.

The Social Order

In contemporary Nigeria, experiences have shown that families in private

ownership of facilities or utilities are making more impact on the

development of the nation than the public or governmental endeavour in

nation building. These are glaringly visible in the many families who have

influenced the life of nations with their personal contributions especially in

the field of education and health by owning and running schools and

hospitals, social and vocational centres; some even combine efforts on such

endeavours. This type of social services become more remarkable when it

is extended to the service of the poor, the less privileged in such as the

disable, orphans, sick, drug addicts, prisoners, the aged, the abandons and

rejected ones by the society. The families now are the best organs in the

country or state within the society reaching out to most of them.

In addition, the Christian family is called upon to offer everyone a witness

of generous and disinterested dedication to social matters, through

preferential option for the poor and disadvantaged. Therefore, advancing

in its following of the Lord by special love for all the poor, it must have

special concern for the hungry, the poor, the old, the sick, drug victims and

those who have no family (Ayanrinde, 2013).

Another aspect of the social role of the family in the growth of the nation is

reasonable procreation and proper education of children. This is very

important and, of course, regarded as the primary social role of the family.

This always determines both the political and economic future of a nation.

Transmission of values and value system is an essential part of child

education. When authentic social value is imbued in the young, the nation

builds a virile future (Harmona, 2006).



The Economic Order

There are various economic matters such as land, money, trading,

manufacturing, banking, transportation, production, distribution and

consumption of goods and services that are being regulated by the

Christian family. As it is known that the family is the most common

economic unit involving efficient division of labour between the husband,

wife and children. They do not live in isolation but always form part of a

larger group which in close contact makes it easier to provide food,

introduce and advance division of labour to enjoy social intercourse. The

unification of economic activities of families which, if well coordinated,

often bring good results as the basis of economic activities of any

community and it begins from home with the family. The root and secret of

economic achievement is found in work. Work has its own theology and

value which if respected helps in nation building.

In the Christian Scripture, the Apostles exhort work with prayers, and see

it as a remedy for idleness and temptations, but giving happiness, health

and balance to human life. The Christian religion promotes the dignity of

labour and made case for just wages or against exploitation of labourers.

According to Odudele (2016), the ideas on the dignity of work, sees the

family and society as historical and social: incarnations of the work of past

generations and the present labour preparing the way for those generations

that lie ahead. He further relates, as history has proven, that work is the

basis of Reformation theology and secret of the Industrial revolution. The

appreciation of the value of work leads the individual, families and nation

to self-dependency, sovereignty and dignity. Any nation that has no respect

for work or her workers, whose basis is in the family, will surely end up in

slavery. The economic success of any nation depends on her sensitivity to

her working class drawn from the families.

Christians families are therefore encouraged to put all possible best into

being first, self-sufficient and then, if possible, reach out to others in matters



of production and services. If Christian families render their services to

themselves and the nation in union with other families and associations,

there will be self-sufficiency, order, peace and development in the country.

The question of injustice will be utterly minimized. It must be remembered

that most families today rely on wages or salaries received from their work

and it must be admitted that the rate of economic hardship in our own

immediate environment, salaries or wages are no longer commensurate

with the effort and means put into labour and no longer sustain the family

that does the labour (Adisa, 2019). On this note, the state ought to be

sensitive to the groaning of her citizens, because it will always affect the

local aspect of economic status of the nation. Adequate and constant review

of wages should be part and parcel of any nation’s structural adjustment

programme.

The Cultural Order

Of paramount importance and not the least among the orders that should

be penetrated by Christian families towards nation building is culture. This

is a crucial aspect through which the nation can be revamped. Every society

or nation is blessed in cultural tradition and to say Nigeria is not blessed in

cultural heritages and resources is an understatement. It must be said that

when a nation loses touch with its cultural base, then any form of

development is unrealistic. Hence, we have four important ingredients

necessary for real culture: identity, authenticity, maintenance and

creativity.

By identity, it meant that one can recognize oneself for what he is and why

he is not the other. Hence, Nigeria should be itself and not aping other

cultures. Authenticity is acceptance of the originality of the culture as it is

and this includes maintenance which is preservation of the existing orders

of cultural values. It is only in the family or through the family that culture

can be preserved (Ogunbameru, 2019). Creativity is meant to express that

culture is dynamic and as such it welcomes creativeness. Any culture that



does not welcome creativity will remain static and unprogressive. The

family is, therefore, encouraged to further cultural creation in the Christian

spirit and not in the spirit of polluted ideologies. Bernard Haring as cited

by Ogunbameru (2019) says:

The greatest contribution Christians can make to their culture is to

be fully Christian and fully human. However, the insight into the

profound interaction between culture and religion, culture and

morality, makes the mission “you are the light of the world” a

conscious mandate to participate actively in the promotion of

culture. This is especially true in our modern society in which many

ideological forces strive to mold the culture to their alienating ideas.

This explained that the family plays an essential role in the cultural context

of the development of the nation.

Conclusion

It is usually said that charity begins at home. The father and mother should

be good model for the children to copy. The home or family being the first

agent of socialization and first school of the child should provide the basic

needs for the child. At home, the parents or the family could influence the

moral upbringing, and action of the child positively and negatively. The

family should provide a stimulating environment that will encourage the

children to learn. The home is expected to inculcate in the child moral and

religious lessons for self, societal development and nation building.

The paper argues that to build a strong Nigeria society, it is imperative to

explore and maintain its growth through the family, since it is within the

family that basic rules are inculcated. It is therefore with this understanding

that the state on her own part should work towards empowering her

citizens so that she will in-turn receive from the family the reward for

building the nation. The Christian families in carrying out the task of nation



building needs love for one’s country as a basic duty that must manifest in

one’s interest and concern for the nation’s welfare. Being always ready to

enjoy in her time of joy and suffer with her in her period of suffering even

to the point of readiness for service in a just war. This is an acid test of a

genuine patriotism. This is because no nation can build itself without the

strength of her citizens who are the families. By penetrating these orders,

the Christian family finds its responsibilities and opportunities to

contribute to nation building and thereby remains fully in touch with all

the facets of national life and development. Above all, family promotes

human interaction among members of the society. Thus, the family

regulates procreative and biological relations between individual and

society. Family therefore makes one to be responsible, responsive and

accountable for his actions towards nation building.

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A Sociological View of the Role of Christian Family in