FAMILY as a smaller clan in a society it has a vital role to play in a national growth. Every family makes a society and every society makes a nation. How can a family be a sustainable factor for a national growth? A family unit can be considered a crucial factor for sustainable national growth because it serves as the foundation for instilling values, promoting education, fostering a responsible workforce, and contributing to social stability, thereby ensuring a healthy and productive society for future generations. No place in the world can be called a nation without people and we cannot have an ideal nation without having good people that keeps to law and order of that particular nation. It is the duty of the heads of families to nurture their family members in a way that it will enable them to represent their nation well.
According to a South African anti-apartheid activist and later president, Nelson Mandela), “I have fought against black domination and I have fought against white domination, I have cherished an ideal society where everyone lives with harmony with equal opportunity. This is the ideal I wish for and this is the ideal I hope to achieve and if needs be I am ready to die. From this point of view one can posit that, to have a society or nation that will work for us there must be a lot of selfless efforts and sacrifices. Here are some points on how families contribute to national growth. Human capital development: It is duty of every families to nurture and educate their children, giving them the important skills and knowledge to become a productive members of the society and to enhance the human capital of the nation. Socialization and value: Every family needs to impart values into their young ones such as love, respect, integrity, moral and obedience which is the prerequisite for having ideal society and the nation in large. Intergeneratioanal support : Family should provide support for elderly members, reducing the burden on social welfare systems. Health and wellbeing :This is one of the important aspect of growing a good society. There should be healthy family environments with strong social connections and physical mental health that will lead to healthier workforce. Community association/engagement:
Families should be brave enough to be participating in association or community initiatives that will foster piece and a sense of belonging and a way of contributing to local community. Family as the first unit of the nation and when the family is equipped well the nation will be sustainable. The picture of every family is a reflection of the nation as a whole.
- Oladimeji writes in from Lagos Island via [email protected]
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