WHAT ARE THE STRENGTHS OF THE EXTENDED TRADITIONAL AFRICAN FAMILY MODEL?
The modern family is considered nowadays as the model and most of the time the traditional family model is seen as obsolete. However we realise that its survival till today, lies obviously in its relevance and advantages for Africans. Professor Grard Cornu asserted talking about the African family: It appears especially as a group of happiness, asylum of well-being, and refuge of private life, place of gratefulness and freedom, and context of fulfilment[1] This well thought analysis summarises in 5 expressions the concept of the traditional African family model: the values of happiness, well-being, private life, freedom, and fulfilment are consummated within the framework of the large, extended family. It would sound pretentious for me to try to list down all the advantages of the African traditional family; nevertheless, I shall enumerate a few points which could be considered as cardinal strengths of the traditional African family model: 1. Group solidarity: African traditional socie
