ATTITUDES TO FAMILY LIFE IN ZAMBIA
a) Traditional Zambia
Children are the glory of the family, an economic asset and labour force. After a certain age, Children are segregated according to their sex. The children learnt by imitation.
The child’s own parents taught him or her duties and skills of their sex.
b) Modern Zambia
Children generally respect and love their parents.
Compared with urban areas, parents in rural situations have a more direct influence over their children.
In rural areas, traditional customs and practices are more carefully followed than in urban areas.
In towns, customs and traditional values are more easily abandoned because of the mixing of different peoples with different cultures, traditions and background.
c) The Christian Home
A Christian home starts with a Christian marriage of two people who belong to Jesus Christ and have committed their life to Jesus.
Prayer and Bible reading should be a regular practice of this home. Children’s idea of what God is like comes from the example of their parent,
behaviour.
The home should reflect God’s purity and goodness
Duties of Parents to their Children
Parents should recognize that children are a gift from God.
Parents should share the God given responsibility to teach their children the things of God.
Parent should pray for their children.
Parents should train and discipline their children.
Children are the responsibility of their parents other than their parents.
Duties of Children to their Parents
Children have a duty to take care of their parents in old age.1 Tim 5: 4, Mark 7:-13. Children must learn to respect elders.
Loyalty to God comes first in the Family
a) Jesus example of loyalty (Luke 2:40-52)
When Jesus’ parents lost him and later found him, in the Temple, Mary rebuked him causing anxiety. Jesus reply showed that loyalty to his heavenly father came first
b) Loyalty to Christ will divide families (Luke 12 51-53)
Jesus said that faith in Him would divide families for and against Him, and against each other.
PARENT AND CHILD RELATIONSHIPS IN OTHER RELIGIONS
a) Islam
Muslim parents see children as a gift from God, so that it is their responsibility to provide for their needs
Parents must train and discipline their children and teach them the beliefs and duties of Islam.
Children are expected to respect and obey their parents.
They have a responsibility to care for aged parents especially their mothers.
b) Hinduism
Children are a gift from God and are loved and cared for.
Parents are responsible for their children’s training, discipline, spiritual, moral education and guidance.
Children are taught to respect their elders. It is also the duty, especially of sons to care for their parents in their old age.
Children are guided spiritually by listening to religious stories and observing religious festivals and celebrations.
