THE FAMILY AND NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT: HOW CAN THE FAMILY FORESTALL FUTURE INSURGENCY ACTIVITIES IN THE NIGERIAN SOCIETY?

Abstract

Objectives. This study investigated the factors responsible for the Boko-Haram insurgency activities in North Central Nigeria, and how the family could help to forestall future occurrence of insurgent activities as an institution of change in the society. Materials and Methodology. The study was conducted in Ilorin, headquarters of Kwara State North-Central region of Nigeria. 20 participants selected through purposive sampling method were included in the study. Information was retrieved through in-depth interviews with key informants while the study was explained by attachment and Social Control theories. Findings. Results showed that poor parental training, poor parental values, poor parental care and poor parental monitoring and guidance are responsible for the involvement of children in insurgency activities in the region. However, child education, proper child upbringing, parent-child closeness, proper parental monitoring and parents being good examples to their children were suggested in the study as measures that could be put in place to forestall future occurrence of insurgency activities in Nigeria. Conclusion and Recommendation. The study concluded that the role of the family in maintaining order in the society cannot be overemphasized and as such, parental attachment and control is imperative in the family. It, therefore, recommends that, in order to forestall future occurrence of insurgency activities in Nigeria, it is necessary for families to ensure that child-parent attachment and emotional support in the family is not lacking so that individuals do not become miscreants in the society and tools used by deviants to disrupt national development in the Nigerian society.

Keywords

• parental closeness
• parental monitoring
• parental values
• poor parental care
• child education