Conceptualizations of Effective Parenting: Perspectives of Religious Counselors in Ghana

Abstract

Limited research on effective parenting and optimal child outcomes within an African, specifically Ghanaian context exists. This study examined conceptions of effective parenting from the perspective of religious counselors who are often sought by parents for parenting advice. Two research questions were addressed: (1) how do religious counselors conceptualize effective parenting; and (2) to what extent do their conceptualizations reflect current literature and research on effective parenting? 92 religious counselors, 19 Muslims and 73 Christians, were recruited from four urban areas in Ghana. Participants were asked about effective parenting during individual interviews. The findings revealed three major themes and several sub-themes. The three themes were socialization and structure, positive parent-child interaction, and autonomy support. Themes about what constitute effective parenting were both consistent and inconsistent with traditional views of parenting within a Ghanaian cultural context. Findings revealed some contemporary changes of parenting in Ghana with implications for effective parenting.

Health-system drivers influencing the continuum of care linkages for low-birth-weight infants at the different care levels in Ghana

“…Review visit is an avenue to counsel families on activities to promote growth and development of their LBW infants. But in Sub-Saharan Africa with Ghana being no exception, services that support caregivers to promote positive parenting, stimulate cognitive, improve nutrition, and help high risk children to achieve developmental milestones are frequently missing but are crucial to reduce the impact of impairments [ 48 , 68 , 83 ]. Review visits to health facilities are often challenged by scarcity of resources from both families and health facilities including inadequate health infrastructure [ 49 ], insufficient specialists, high staff turnover, and poor communication between the different levels of care [ 79 ].…”

Reading, singing, and storytelling: the impact of caregiver-child interaction and child access to books and preschool on early childhood development in Ghana

“…In Ghana, households typically include extended family members and their children. The extended family contributes to the upbringing of children, and the task of raising children is shared among grandparents, aunts, and uncles 30 , 32 . This collective approach to childrearing creates a supportive environment that can enhance the child’s opportunity for engagement and interaction with a diverse group of people, fostering early development.…”

“…Early childhood development is heavily influenced by culture and context, and Ghana has unique parenting practices and childrearing norms that may impact development differently than in other countries 30 . One thing that sets Ghana apart from many other societies is the central role that extended family members play in childrearing.…”

“…One thing that sets Ghana apart from many other societies is the central role that extended family members play in childrearing. Raising a child is often shared among extended family members such as grandparents, aunts, and uncles 30 – 32 . While this is true in all Ghanaian communities, in more rural and traditional settings, the responsibility of childrearing extends to the entire community.…”

“…Neighbours, friends, and relatives all help to guide, discipline, and nurture children. Respect for authority figures, particularly parents and elders, is another distinguishing feature of Ghanaian parenting 30 . This emphasis on respect influences the behaviour and social interactions of children.…”