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Marriage and procreation in traditional African society and the importance of children

Answer Text:
Distinct features of traditional African marriage.
-Marriage and procreation are intertwined.
The chief purpose of marriage is the increase and perpetuation of the community through the children born in marriage. Both husband and wife have a duty to perpetuate the
chain of humanity. It is believed that the departed members of the family can be “reborn” in their descendants. Children are given names of the departed members as a sign of continuation and remembrance of the departed.
Importance of children:
(i) Children are a bond of unity between the husband and wife. They seal the marriage bond. It is normally difficult for a marriage to break once children have been born to the couple.
(ii) Children are a source of labour to the family. They assist in such tasks as herding cattle,
cultivating the land, baby- sitting and household chores.
(iii) They are a source of wealth to the family. For example, daughters fetch a lot of bride-wealth for their parents when they get married.
(iv) Sons are heirs to the family’s wealth. The birth of a son(s) is viewed as a great
blessing to the family as women and daughters do not have rights to inherit family’s wealth.
(v) Children take care of their parents when they get old and they have a duty to give them a decent burial.
(vi) Children are a source of security to the family. The more
children family has the more secure it feels especially if it is threatened by both external and internal forces.
(vii) Children promote the social status of their parents. The more children a man has, the more respect he is accorded. For example, a man with a large
family may be considered for leadership position in the community.