Healthy Family Life: A Sine Qua Non For Sustainable Development
Oladapo, John Ayo
Lecturer, Baptist College of Theology, Igede Ekiti, Nigeria
Abstract
This study aims to raise awareness of the importance of enhancing family life and strengthening the family unit for the sustainable development of African society. When the family, the most significant social unit, is threatened, sustainable growth cannot be achieved. The central theme of this study is the importance of a healthy family life as a contributor to societal development. Parents in the society are now downplaying family values and ethics, which is considered as one of the main problems contributing to a number of troubles that are emerging in the society. This study demonstrates that poor parental involvement is one of the social elements that foster unhealthy family structures, which has serious negative effects on sustainable development. The paper x-rayed the passion that people now have for work in order to satisfy human wants and the neglects for home fronts thereby creating large gap in building virtues and moral life of their family members. In order to have a balanced and healthy society, that is free of stress, full of maximum productivity and conducive family living, it is crucial that work ethics and family life be given the desired attention in the society. This research demonstrates how important it is for parents to raise morally sound, well-educated children, which highlights the importance of striking a healthy balance between job and home life. The paper therefore conclude that every home should endeavour to uphold the sanctity of family life in order for the society to have sustainable development.
Key words: Family-Life, sustainable Development, virtues, moral, society.
Impact statement
Lack of family values and ethics is a major contributing factor threatening the sustainable growth and family structure in the contemporary society. This study discovered that poor parental involvement in family life is one of the social elements that foster unhealthy family structures which has serious negative effects on sustainable development. This study revealed that in order to achieve the goal of sustainable development, parents should balance their attitude towards work and family life. This will enable them to raise morally sound, culturally endured, emotionally and spiritually nurtured and well-educated children in the society.
Findings from this study indicates that healthy family life will contribute greatly to the achievement of the sustainable development goal. It is underpinned in this study that parents, family counselors, parental educators, religious and institutional leaders will benefit from this study, as it reveals the crucial components of family life that is necessary for sustainable development.
About The Author
John Ayo Oladapo, PhD. is a Baptist minister and theological educator. He is a senior lecturer at Baptist College of Theology, Igede-Ekiti and the Executive Director/President, Institute of Family Life and Societal Development of Centre for Blissful Home Initiative. He is a researcher in the field of religion with a special interest in Ethics, Pastoral Care and Counseling, Marriage and family life therapy. He has authored Books, chapters in books and journal articles nationally and internationally
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