African Families in a Global Context

Globalization, Africa, and African Family Patterns

By: Therborn G (ed)
Produced by: The Nordic Africa Institute, 2004

The family is one of the most important institutions of African societies. Where is it going today? How is it affected by global processes, cultural and political as well as economic? How does it compare with family developments in other parts of the world? These are questions, which this report addresses. It deals with:

• The African family in a comparative global context, focusing on patriarchy, sexuality and marriage, and fertility
• Biological and social reproduction in Ghana under conditions of globalization and structural adjustment
• Nigerian marriage relations under the impact of current conditions
• Family changes in the North (Britain) viewed from and compared with a family perspective from the South (South Africa)

The Chapters in this report derive from a conference at the iKaya Guest Lodge and Conference Centre in Cape Town. A companion volume, also published by the Nordic Africa Institute, deals with economic issues, Globalization and the Southern African Economies, edited by Mats Lundahl, 2004