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Extended Family System In Ghana

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In most African cultures the family system is divided into two forms: the nuclear family system which is becoming increasingly popular and the extended family system which represents a more traditional approach to family system. The extended family consists not only of parents and their children but also aunties, uncles, grandparents and all other relatives as well living in the same house with detached units for each nuclear family. Due to this arrangement there is always someone available to ensure the wellbeing of the child in the event of the absence of the parents. These family members also provide material needs in case the parents are unable to do so. It is therefore quite common to hear people attributing their upbringing and success …show more content…

They include Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), facial scarification or the incision of tribal marks, early marriages and forced marriages . CRC article 24 (3)states that “Parties shall take all effective and appropriate measures with a view to abolishing traditional practices prejudicial to the health of children.” The article 39 of the Ghana constitution also adds that “… in particular those traditional practices which are injurious to the health and well-being of the person are abolished”
In Ghana the main traditional practices that lead the abuse of children’s rights include FGM, scarification or incision of tribal marks, early marriages, some puberty rites, child witchcraft as well as child slavery. Some of these customs are no longer being practiced or are gradually dying out others have been modified or are only practiced by a few ethnic groups in the country. This section of the paper will highlight the cultural practices that abuse the rights of the child.
Female Genital Mutilation …show more content…

One in four women in Ghana get married before 18 years which represents a 27% prevalence rate with the highest rates in the Upper east region, western region and upper west region. This phenomenon is not only limited to the north of the country but rates in the south have also seen an increase in recent times. (MICS, 2011) Most of the children are married off early purely for economic reasons. In Ghana when a woman gets married her husband and his family must pay a bride price to the bride’s family. Poorer families send their children to get married as a means of economic liberation. Anoth-er reason is the fact that culturally marrying as a virgin brings honour on the girl’s family for which reason families believe it’s better to let the girls marry whilst they are still young and virgins to prevent shame and disgrace. Also some mothers who married early believe it’s also better to continue the

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