BY LEULSEGED WORKU
Whenever we talk about family, which is the smallest unit of the society, we are talking about the whole nation. Every society and every nation is the product of a single family unit. As some scholars agree, the kind of family type a given nation has, it is possible to predict what kind of society the nation will build in the future.
Countries whose family structure is strong and well organized the possibility of stable political systems and social structure that value tolerance is high. The other way round, a nation whose family structure is unhealthy and undermines indigenous knowledge tends to create an unstable society which is a threat for peace and tolerance.
Depending on the norm, value system, culture, background, law specifically applied to a particular family and religions they follow, families decide the future of a society. As indicated by Labor and Skills Minister, Muferihat Kamil, said that the role of indigenous cultures and valuing traditional norms have an incalculable role in building a strong and stable nation.
A family that adheres to the moral and traditional values of its forefathers will not be a prey for “artificial family” structure; which is becoming the threat and cause for all immoral practices in this era. In this regard, Muferihat said, parents, the society and stakeholders are duty bound in shaping children not only for the sake of children but also for the whole nation. “Parents should be role models and set goals within their family. They should decide what kind of family they are going to build before bringing children into this world.”
Yehwalashet Muluneh, Addis Ababa University Social Anthropology Instructor, cultural values of a given society has a key role in nurturing morally obligated society and building a strong nation. According to him, Ethiopia is among traditional societies that value and; cherish cultural norms in their day to day activities. However, this trend is being threatened by the concept of modernization, prioritizing individualism over collectivism. This is particularly true in urban areas where the living standard is taking a new path.
Yehwalashet said, in former days, it was common to share family roles or enjoy an age-old culture of respecting others. However now, due to modernization and other related factors the previous trend is being threatened in urban areas. This has an adverse effect in creating a healthy and stable society which is a base for nation building.
As to him, investing in children at an early age not only shapes the future of those children, it will also shape the future of the whole nation. In this respect, parents have a key role in producing morally responsible citizens who give value and due respect to the art of sharing and living for others. Parents who experienced love can easily build compassionate children who would be tolerant and feel the pain of others.
Indigenous knowledge is the other element given a special emphasis by Yehwalashet. The more children are raised with traditional value systems and indigenous wisdom, the more the nation will have morally and legally responsible citizens.
Overcoming “Artificial family” structure, which is a risk for cultural values and identities needs a joined hands. The effort to create morally and legally responsible citizens should not only be left to a single entity or any other agent. It should be the responsibility of every Ethiopian. In this respect, religious institutions, schools, higher academic institutions, the media and others should take the lion`s share.
Culture and Language Development, State Minister, Workenesh Biru, said building a nation and nurturing morally responsible citizens are two sides of a single coin. A nation that invests in healthy families is investing in stability. In this regard, wise leadership of parents, good communication and transparency between and among family members, adhering to cultural values and working for common goals are among the core values of a strong family. Active involvement of all stakeholders to build responsible citizens is key.
Indeed, society is a reflection of family values and such values can make or break the nation. A broken society is therefore a reflection of broken families within that society. The aggregate of our national experience is such that we find behaviors that indicate a huge moral deficit in our society that needs active involvement of all citizens.
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD FRIDAY 7 APRIL 2023
