PERCEIVED RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE FAMILY AND OTHER SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS TOWARDS A SUSTAINABLE SOCIETY IN ONDO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study assessed the perceived relationship between the family and other social institutions towards a sustainable society in Ondo State. Four research questions guided this study and two null hypotheses were formulated and tested at 0.05 level of significance. The study adopted the descriptive survey research design. The population of the study comprised all inhabitants of Ondo City. A sample size of 133 respondents was purposively and randomly sampled. A validated four-point modified Likert scale structured questionnaire of 25 items was used for the study. The reliability coefficient determined using Cronbach's Alpha yielded a value of 0.89, indicating high internal consistency of the instrument. Data collected were statistically analyzed using both descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistical methods. The major findings indicated that family functions include ensuring continuity of the society through child-bearing and rearing, meeting the economic needs of the members, and socializing children. Sustainable development is viewed in the context of the United Nations Vision 2030, which serves as the basis for operations in every sector in Nigeria. Additionally, maternity homes and adoption centres, banks and insurance companies, and media perform some of the functions traditionally meant for the family. It was therefore recommended that families should return to their fundamental functions and for other social institutions to perform their functions while recognizing the importance of families in society.