Extended Family Members in Child Development – JSS3 Social Studies Lesson Note (First Term)

An extended family is a family group made up of parents, children and other close relatives, such as grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousins.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. Define extended family.
2. Name the two groups of relatives in an extended family.
3. State the roles of extended family members in child development.
4. List the things extended family members teach a child.
5. Distinguish between a nuclear family and an extended family.
6. State the advantages and disadvantages of the extended family.

What is an extended family?

An extended family is a family group made up of parents, children and other close relatives who live together or stay closely connected as one family unit.

• Paternal relatives: relatives from the father’s lineage.
• Maternal relatives: relatives from the mother’s lineage.

Who are the members of an extended family?

There are two groups of relatives in an extended family: paternal relatives and maternal relatives.

What is the difference between a nuclear family and an extended family?

• Nuclear family: a family made up of a father, a mother and their children only.
• Extended family: a nuclear family together with other close relatives from both parents’ sides.

What are the roles of extended family members in child development?

Extended family members help a child to grow socially, morally, emotionally and culturally.

• Agents of socialisation: they help the child learn how to live with other people in society.
• Passing on culture: they hand down the norms, customs and traditions of the community.
• Support structure: they guide the child in life, behaviour, finance and emotional needs.
• Positive discipline: they correct the child when he or she behaves wrongly.
• Sense of belonging: they make the child feel loved, important and part of a larger group.

What do extended family members teach a child?

Extended family members teach a child the values and skills needed to live well in the community.

• Respect for elders: how to relate to older people, for example kneeling or bowing to greet in some communities.
• Good morals: honesty, truthfulness and other acceptable behaviour.
• Religious beliefs: the faith practised by the family.
• Mother tongue: the language of the family, such as Yoruba, Igbo or Hausa.
• Greetings and social manners: ways of greeting and interacting with other people.
• Chores: how to sweep, wash plates, cook and run errands.

How do extended family members support a child?

• Guidance: grandparents and uncles advise the child on choices in life.
• Behaviour: any elder may correct the child, so the child learns to behave well everywhere.
• Financial help: relatives may pay school fees or buy books and uniforms when parents need help.
• Emotional care: aunts and grandparents comfort the child and give love and attention.
• Care in the absence of parents: a relative can look after the child if the parents are away, ill or have died.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of the extended family?

Advantages

• Shared responsibility: many adults help to train and care for the child.
• Security: the child has people to turn to in times of need.
• Cultural continuity: language, customs and values pass from one generation to the next.
• Companionship: the child has cousins and relatives to play and learn with.

Disadvantages

• Overcrowding: too many people may share limited space.
• Strain on resources: food, money and other needs are spread thinly.
• Conflicts: disagreements may arise among relatives over duties or property.
• Interference: relatives may interfere in how parents bring up their children.

Evaluation

1. Define extended family.
2. Name the two groups of relatives in an extended family.
3. Discuss the roles of extended family members in child development.
4. State three things an extended family teaches a child.

Assignment

List four ways in which extended family members support a child’s development.