External Influence on Nigeria Life Basic 6 Social Studies Lesson Note

LEARNING OBJECTIVES By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

1. Describe how external influences affect Nigerian family life (family system, language, behaviour, food, music, education)
2. Explain how religion influences Nigerian family life (marriage pattern, relationships, general behaviour)
3. Discuss the influence of working parents on Nigerian family life

EXTERNAL INFLUENCES ON NIGERIAN FAMILY LIFE

1. LANGUAGE

Traditional:

• Local languages (Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa, etc.)
• Proverbs and traditional greetings
• Respect language for elders

Modern/External Influence:

• English language dominance
• Children prefer speaking English
• Loss of local languages
• Foreign accents and slang

Impact:

• Some children can’t speak their native language
• Cultural disconnect
• But English helps national unity

2. FAMILY SYSTEM

Traditional:

• Extended family (grandparents, uncles, aunts living together)
• Large families
• Community raising children
• Respect for elders

Modern/External Influence:

• Nuclear family (parents and children only)
• Smaller families
• Privacy valued
• Individual focus

Impact:

• Less family support
• Children miss grandparents’ wisdom
• But more independence

3. BEHAVIOUR OF FAMILY MEMBERS

Traditional:

• Children kneel to greet elders
• Respect and obedience
• Communal living
• Sharing responsibilities

Modern/External Influence:

• Casual greetings (hi, hello)
• Children question authority
• More independence
• Individual rights emphasized

Impact:

• Some call it “disrespect”
• Others say it’s “confidence”
• Generation gap increases

4. FOOD

Traditional:

• Local foods (fufu, pounded yam, jollof rice, egusi soup)
  
• Eating together from one plate
• Cooking at home

Modern/External Influence:

• Fast food (pizza, burgers, fried chicken)
• Foreign dishes (pasta, Chinese food)
• Eating separately
• Microwave meals

Impact:

• Less time cooking traditional meals
• Health issues (obesity from fast food)
• Loss of cooking skills
• But more variety

5. MUSIC

Traditional:

• Folk songs
• Traditional instruments (talking drum, flute)
• Cultural dances

Modern/External Influence:

• Hip hop, rap, pop music
• Foreign artists influence
• Modern instruments (guitar, keyboard)

Impact:

• Youth prefer foreign music
• Loss of traditional music knowledge
• But creates fusion (Afrobeats)

6. EDUCATION

Traditional:

• Learning through apprenticeship
• Oral tradition
• Practical skills from parents

Modern/External Influence:

• Formal Western education
• Schools and universities
• Technology in learning
• Online education

Impact:

• Better literacy
• Career opportunities
• But less practical skills
• Expensive education

INFLUENCE OF RELIGION ON NIGERIAN FAMILY LIFE

Major Religions in Nigeria:

• Christianity
• Islam
• Traditional African Religion

1. MARRIAGE PATTERN

Christian Influence:

• Church wedding (white wedding)
• Monogamy (one wife)
• Vows before God
• Marriage certificate

Islamic Influence:

• Mosque wedding (Nikkai)
• Polygamy allowed (up to 4 wives)
• Religious marriage contract
• Dowry (Mahr)

Traditional Influence:

• Traditional wedding
• Payment of bride price
• Family involvement
• Cultural ceremonies

Modern Reality:

• Many do all three ceremonies
• Court wedding added
• Expensive celebrations

2. RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FAMILY MEMBERS

Religious Influence:

• Respect for parents (all religions teach this)
• Love between siblings
• Care for elderly
• Forgiveness and peace

Christianity:

• “Honor thy father and mother”
• Husband as head of home
• Wife submits to husband
• Children obey parents

Islam:

• Paradise lies at mother’s feet
• Respect for parents mandatory
• Clear family roles
• Obedience to parents

Impact:

• Strong family bonds
• Defined roles
• Sometimes causes conflict when views differ

3. GENERAL BEHAVIOUR OF FAMILY

Religious Values:

• Honesty
• Hard work
• Kindness
• Prayer/worship
• Charity
• Moral living

Impact:

• Shapes family values
• Influences decisions
• Affects lifestyle choices
• Creates moral foundation

INFLUENCE OF WORKING PARENTS ON NIGERIAN FAMILY LIFE

WORKING MOTHERS/PARENTS

Positive Effects:

1. More Income: 
   1. Better standard of living
   2. Can afford good education
   3. Better healthcare
   4. Nice home and comfort
2. Role Model: 
   1. Children see hardworking parents
   2. Career inspiration
   3. Gender equality demonstrated
   4. Independence shown
3. Economic Security: 
   1. Two incomes safer than one
   2. Bills are easier to pay
   3. Savings possible
   4. Less financial stress

Negative Effects:

1. Inadequate Attention to Children: 
   1. Parents too busy
   2. Less time for homework help
   3. Miss children’s school events
   4. Limited quality time
   5. Children feel neglected
2. Use of Baby Sitters/House Help: 
   1. Strangers raising children
   2. Risk of abuse
   3. Different values taught
   4. Less parental bonding
   5. Trust issues
3. Putting Children in Daycare: 
   1. Very young children in daycare
   2. Long hours away from parents
   3. Multiple caregivers
   4. Expensive
   5. Risk of infections
4. Home Management Challenges: 
   1. House often dirty
   2. No home-cooked meals
   3. Reliance on fast food
   4. Tired parents
   5. Stress in home
5. Emotional Impact: 
   1. Children feel abandoned
   2. Behavioral problems
   3. Seeking attention negatively
   4. Attachment to house help more than parents

SOLUTIONS/BALANCE:

1. Quality Time: 
   1. Weekends with family
   2. Evening family dinners
   3. Bedtime stories
   4. School involvement when possible
2. Flexible Work: 
   1. Work from home options
   2. Flexible hours
   3. Job sharing
   4. Part-time work
3. Reliable Childcare: 
   1. Trustworthy caregivers
   2. Family members help
   3. Good daycare centers
   4. Regular supervision
4. Communication: 
   1. Phone calls during day
   2. Video calls
   3. Notes in lunch boxes
   4. Constant reassurance of love

EVALUATION

1. Name three external influences on Nigerian family life
2. How has language been influenced by external factors?
3. What are two positive effects of working parents?
4. How does religion influence marriage patterns?
5. What is the difference between traditional and modern family systems?

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS

1. The traditional Nigerian family system is ________ 

1. a) Nuclear family
2. b) Extended family
3. c) Single parent
4. d) No family

1. Working parents provide ________ 

1. a) Less money
2. b) More income for family
3. c) No benefits
4. d) Only problems

1. External influence on food includes ________ 

1. a) Only local food
2. b) Fast food and foreign dishes
3. c) No food
4. d) Traditional food only

1. A negative effect of working parents is ________ 

1. a) More money
2. b) Inadequate attention to children
3. c) Better life
4. d) Good education

1. Religion influences ________ 

1. a) Nothing
2. b) Marriage patterns and family behavior
3. c) Only food
4. d) Only clothes

ANSWERS: 1.b 2.b 3.b 4.b 5.b

HOMEWORK

1. List five external influences on Nigerian family life
2. Compare traditional and modern family systems (3 differences)
3. Explain how religion affects Nigerian families
4. Discuss two advantages and two disadvantages of working parents
5. What solutions can help working parents care for their children better?