THE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF THE EXTENDED FAMILY SYSTEM
Before I go on to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the system, it is pertinent to describe what is meant by the extended family system. The extended family is much larger than the nuclear family which is sometimes known as the simple, or immediate family. The nuclear family consists of a man and his wife or wives and any number of children they may have while the extended family may include three or four generations of relatives.
The extended family system is practised mainly in African countries. The extended family system has some advantages as well as disadvantages. First and foremost, the extended family system offers a child the opportunity to relate to many relatives as he or she wants. Since a child grows and develops within family system, a child growing within a larger extended family is open to many values and qualities from which he can learn.
Secondly, the child receives attention from the various people outside his immediate or nuclear family. He has many relations doting on him and he acquires more gifts and benefits than a child who has his immediate family to depend on. If he is ill, he has many people to attend to him and he is loved by many people.
In case of sudden death of any of his parents, the child in the extended family system has some other people to take care of him. In the system, a widow does not suffer. She is taken care of and her children are also taken care of by every member of the extended family. Lastly, a child learns to be friendly, trusting and co-operative in the extended family system. The system makes it easy for a child to relate with other people in a larger society because the'system would have given him a wider outlook which cannot be obtained within the narrow nuclear family system.
However, the extended family system could lead to disunity among members of the family if there is a quarrel or disagreement. It is very difficult to manage crisis or quarrel within the extended family. Unlike the nuclear family system where the head of the family can easily reconcile two bickering members of the family, it is often difficult to do so in the extended family system. The extended family system is always very difficult to co-ordinate together.
The system could also cause jealousy and unhealthy rivalry among its members. If any member of the family is progressing more than others, there may arise envy and hatred against the person especially if he tries to dominate other members. In Africa, such rivalry and envy could go to the extent of envious people consulting herbalists and charms to hurt one another.
The success of the extended family system depends on the operators of the system. It could be a place of respite if there is love and unity among members of the extended family but it could be a hateful system if it is allowed to engender bickering and petty jealousy.

Yemi Oloko
SS 3B