SOCIAL CHANGE AND ITS EFFECTS ON THE TRADITIONAL EXTENDED FAMILY SYSTEM IN THE WA MUNICIPALITY

Abstract

In the world over there has been changes in all spheres of life as others say it is a developmental and growth stage. Ghana has experienced some level of socio-cultural changes and is still undergoing evolution in her traditional norm of practicing extended family system. This study sought to investigate (1) main effects of social change on the functionality of traditional extended family system in the Wa Municipality of Upper West Region. (2) Policy makers and professionals in social work, the importance of the traditional extended family system. Data for the study were collected using focus group discussions, in-depth interviews, direct observation as well as key informant interviews. Theories of Modernization made it clear that, Western education is the main cause of changes in the traditional family system in Ghana. Field data show that, the money or market economy, out-migration and others influence the functioning and structure of the traditional extended family system. It was further revealed that the traditional extended family system in the Wa Municipality has lost it value and also weakened as many family nuclurisation is over shadowing extended family system. However, members of the extended family live-together-apart; families living together yet do things individually. The vulnerable are isolated and neglected by their extended family members. The lack of adequate support from the extended family members to the vulnerable, prompted the intervention of some Government institutions and NGOs such as NHIS, SSNIT, DSW as well as CARD, VSL in the Wa Municipality