The rise of dysfunctional and broken families in Kenya is breaking down the economy. Recent data reveals the grim reality of changes in family structure in Kenya – and yet, no one is talking about it.
According to the 2019 National Census results, families headed by a single parent rose to 38% in 2019, up from 25.1% in 2009. This trend demonstrate a disheartening story: the fundamental pillar of society and economy has rapidly deteriorated over the past decades.
The situation could be even worse, given social media’s destructive impact on family and family values. Research has found excessive social media use contributes to poor marital relations, domestic violence, marital disputes, and higher divorce rates.
Marriages are also on the receiving end due to gaps in Kenya’s migration policy. For instance, many married Kenya, especially mothers, have moved to Middle Eastern countries in search of greener pastures, leaving a trail of broken families – and children suffering the psychological impact of divorce. For those concerned about Kenya’s future prospering, the rise in dysfunctional and broken families should no longer be ignored because the socioeconomic consequences are so immense.
Why Strong Families Matter?
To understand the significance of strong families in our economy, we first need to look at the origin and purpose of the family. In the Book of Genesis, it is undoubtedly clear that families are God’s creation. In the beginning, God created man. After creating Adam and putting him in the garden of Aden, God said, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make a helper comparable to him” (Genesis 2:18). From this passage, it is clear that God’s plan for the family was that man and woman should work together and assist each other – and thus achieve greater efficiency and productivity.
So why strong families matter? Strong married-parent families are associated with better economic output. In an earlier study, it was found that the median family income among married-parent families rose by 30% compared to 14% among unmarried parents. Also, evidence has shown that the higher the proportion of married parents in a country, the better the economic outcomes are.
Higher levels of marriage in a state are also strongly linked to higher GDP per capita, increased economic mobility, and reduced levels of child poverty. The smooth functioning of families is important for the success of the society. Stable and healthy marriages foster individuals’ happiness while ensuring children will be responsible and productive in future generations.
Impact of Fragmented, Dysfunctional or Broken Families
Dysfunctional and broken families have a severe impact on the economy. Families headed by a single female have relatively high poverty rates. Moreover, research shows that fragmented families, which occur as a result of non-marital childbearing, separation, or divorce, perpetuate a high incidence of child poverty. The instability associated with a dysfunctional or broken family implies that the children are more likely to perform poorly in school, which subsequently curtails their economic productivity in adulthood. Consequently, the contribution of adult-raised fragmented families to the national output and the overall economic prosperity of Kenya is restricted.
Furthermore, dysfunctional and broken families often perpetuate the degradation of social norms, as indicated by the rise in gender-based violence toward women, teen pregnancy, child neglect, alcohol consumption, and use of illicit drugs. With these social issues, the country is deprived of significant human capital. For instance, adults with severe alcohol use disorder often miss their jobs, significantly limiting their ability to maintain stable employment. Thus, family fragmentation slows economic growth and negatively affects people’s quality of life.
Family fragmentation’s social and economic costs are often passed down from generation to generation. Children in low-income, fragmented families often find themselves trapped in the cycle of poverty because of limited resources and a lack of quality education. In Kenya, big brands have fallen due to conflict between ex-partners or siblings fighting over inheritance. Such unwarranted situations destroy the families’ generational wealth while leaving thousands of Kenya jobless.
The Way Forward
Given the link between strong families and economic growth, policymakers need to consider the changing family structure in national economic planning.
Strengthening families is one of the foundation interventions to foster sustainable economic growth. The government, churches, businesses, and non-profit organizations should work together to promote stable marriages and healthy relationships within families throughout the country. Additionally, married couples and families should receive free resources and tools for conflict resolution.
The government and churches should offer free marriage counseling to help married couples diagnose relationship problems and address conflicts. Another likely successful policy is launching programs to improve financial literacy among married couples, especially low-income families. The goal of the financial literacy programs should be to expose married couples to investment opportunities while educating them on wealth management strategies.
Civil society should work toward promoting family values and instilling the significance of the family in people’s minds and hearts. Ultimately, the renewal of the family establishes the foundation for the country’s economic prosperity.
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