Abstract
In the recent past the family in Ghana has undergone structural modifications and functions as a result of increasing social change brought about by urbanization and by economic, social, and legal changes. Notable among these changes is the reduction in the number of families that are extended. This reduction has given rise to nuclear family types such as two-parent families and single-parent families. Social change has also brought about a reduction in the number of polygynous families. Irrespective of family type, Ghanaian families perform the general functions of procreation, socialization, and maintenance of members. Even though there have been modifications in the family structure in Ghana, the traditional extended family still persists.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | The Wiley Blackwell Encyclopedia of Family Studies |
| Publisher | wiley |
| Pages | 1-4 |
| Number of pages | 4 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 9781119085621 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9780470658451 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Jan 2016 |
Keywords
- child maintenance
- child socialization
- extended family
- Ghanaian families
- nuclear family
- urbanization and family