Conceptions of “Child” among Traditional Africans: A Philosophical Purview

Ndofirepi, Amasa P.; Shumba, Almon

doi:10.1080/09709274.2014.11906696

Cited by 20 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…Sub-Saharan African countries and their respective communities are, however, distinct and their cultural norms are specific to a people based on their kin and ethnic group (Idang 2015) and it would be misleading to argue that all sub-Saharan African cultures are the same. Nonetheless, what is evident within those cultures is that, premigration, sub-Saharan Africans have some connections-historical, social, economic, political, linguistic-and institutional similarities that allow for transferability on aspects pertaining to childrearing within the broader sub-Saharan African community (Ndofirepi and Shumba 2014).…”

Section: Pre-and Post-migration Experiencesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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2020

ARAS

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What kind of entity is the State in Africa? Is it, as some would have us believe, an entity that simply needs to get better at fulfilling its functions, becoming more democratic, or becoming less corrupt? Is it an entity that would be more credible and legitimate if only it would step away from ethnic politics and become more like its western cousins? In many meetings these days, one is often asked to discuss the problems of African governance in toto, as if there is a meaningful democratisation recipe to be learnt, some counter-insurgency dynamic to be uncovered, and as if in discovering it, all will be well. But as Africanists, experience tells us that context, time, and engagement matters, and whatever the 'problem' is that afflicts African states, it is as much about the society that created it, and the international interlocutors who attempt to reform it, as it is about the State itself. Given these points, trying to pin down what we mean by 'governance' is no mean feat. Sprinkled across policy papers and reports, the term 'governance' has become a 'catch all' to encompass the good, bad and downright ugly elements of government functioning. It certainly includes the political actors and process, but it may also encompass "democracy and representation; human rights; the rule of law; efficient and effective public management; transparency and accountability; development as an objective and a varying range of economic and political policies, programmes and institutions" (Ware 2018, 202). For international development agencies, governance might be more about what makes a country amenable to foreign capital and other forms of intervention. It also may be about the 'C' word: corruption.

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Section: Pre-and Post-migration Experiencesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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2020

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“…Definitions of child and childhood experiences are continuously changing (Boakye‐Boaten, ; Ndofirepi & Shumba, ) as ongoing debates on the subject of children have become an international issue. Debates on the subject of children have been heightened due to increased migration and subsequent socio‐cultural and political contexts in which migrant families settle (Rasmussen, Akinsulure‐Smith, Chu, & Keatley, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Meeting this childhood expectation remains the responsibility of migrant parents and caregivers as they negotiate between their cultural beliefs that define a child and the influences of parenting in host nations (Darko, ; Stevenson‐Hinde, ). Perceptions around the concept of a child are dynamic and based on the times in which the child lives as well as their socioeconomic status (Ndofirepi & Shumba, ; ChildFund Australia, ). Therefore, to understand and conceptualize childhood experience, it is important to consider the context in which the child is being raised.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Due to contrasting viewpoints on childhood expectations, sub‐Saharan African parents who are settling in Australia may face parenting challenges as tensions are likely to emerge when talking about child rights to parents, caregivers, and adults who hold different cultural beliefs and values that define their perception of children (Sawrikar, ). Over the years, various studies (Ndofirepi and Shumba ; Boakye‐Boaten, ) have established that the concept of a child is better understood when one takes time to understand a people's culture and belief system. Regardless of the setting, the definition of a child and expectations thereof cannot be viewed within a universal framework.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Regardless of the setting, the definition of a child and expectations thereof cannot be viewed within a universal framework. Ndofirepi and Shumba (, p.233) go on to suggest that any effort to generalize the notion of a child is a “gross misrepresentation of the world of children.”…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

The concept of a child within sub‐Saharan African migrant homes: Reconciling culture and child rights

Mugadza

Stout

Akombi

et al. 2019

Child & Family Social Work

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As international migration increases, the Australian socio-cultural and political context in which sub-Saharan African migrant families are settling is causing tension between traditional sub-Saharan African migrant definitions of child and childhood experiences and host nation definitions particularly when compared with the child protection system. This paper seeks to explore and highlight the fundamental values and differences that determine perceptions and treatment of children within traditional sub-Saharan African communities. Using a qualitative design, this study was influenced by acculturation theory. Four major themes emerged from the analysis: (a) culture and the sub-Saharan African child, (b) moulding good children, (c) family functioning and relationships, and (d) host context: perceptions of Australian mainstream parenting. The study found that in order to successfully make decisions that are in the best interest of sub-Saharan African migrant children that come to the attention of the child protection system, discussions about children rights can only yield good outcomes when the child's socio-cultural environment is considered.

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Abuses of Children (Labor and Witchcraft Accusations)

Ijaola

2020

The Palgrave Handbook of African Social Ethics

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Conceptions of “Child” among Traditional Africans: A Philosophical Purview

Cited by 20 publications

References 4 publications

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The concept of a child within sub‐Saharan African migrant homes: Reconciling culture and child rights

Abuses of Children (Labor and Witchcraft Accusations)

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