So What Are We? — How Family and Dating Relationships are Defined in Ghanaian Culture
Families in Ghana
What does home life look like for the average Ghanaian family? What are some defining characteristics of Ghanaian family?
Overall, Ghanaian culture is very family oriented. This really shines through in Ghanaian home life. Families are expected to work together cohesively, spend time with one another, care about each other’s well being, and fill certain roles within the household. Here’s how the home life defines Ghanaian families:
- Family obligations take precedence over everything else in life.
- Drinking of alcohol and smoking is overall unacceptable in Ghanaian homes.
- In most families, it is considered rude to spend a lot of time in one’s bedroom alone.
- Young people refer to adults as auntie or uncle (or grandpa or grandma for older people)
- Most Ghanaian families do not allow their children to sleep over at friends’ homes.
- In most Ghanaian families, household chores are normally gender specific, except homes where all the children are of one gender.
- Girls are expected to help with cooking and sweeping outside the house.
- Boys sweep the living room and wash the family car (if there is any).
- Host families in Ghana are typically large, with several generations living in the same home or compound.
- Individual conduct is seen as having impact on an entire family, social group and community
- There’s an emphasis on communal values such as:
- Family
- Respect for the elderly
- Honoring traditional rulers
- The importance of dignity and proper social conduct
- Individuals achieve recognition and social standing through their extended family:
- The entire family shares any loss of honor
- Culture is a collective one
- People act with a sense of decorum at all times to ensure they do not cause anyone embarrassment.
Reciprocity in the family structure
Reciprocity has been depicted as the root of Ghanaian families. It’s important for families to care for each other, not just in individual instances, but throughout life. This is the foundation for what makes Ghanaian families so close. Though, there are different kinds of reciprocities, and some families don’t operate through the reciprocity structure:
- Reciprocity is a guiding principle for intergenerational supports and assistance directed toward distant kin
- Example: “ If your parents look after you to grow your teeth, it is obligatory of you to look after them to lose their teeth”
- Different types of reciprocity:
- Credited reciprocity refers to one party giving more than he/she receives from others
- Indebted reciprocity refers to one party who receives more than he/she gives to others
- Both reciprocities characterize unequal exchanges.
- In absence of reciprocity it can often be replaced with self reliance, common among younger families.
- Self-reliant households are considered to be more balance in a technical sense because of their lack of both offering and receiving.
- Most Ghanaian respondents were able to maintain a balanced or credited reciprocity, leaving a smaller but significant part of the population fell into the category of self-reliance.
Dating in Ghana
What does dating look like in Ghana?
Like in other aspects of its culture, Ghanaian dating is partially influenced by western culture. Though there are plenty of things that define dating in Ghana that are quite different than dating in America.
- Dating in Ghana is considered more “traditional” compared to American dating. Things vary family to family, but here’s what dating culture generally looks like:
- Ghanaians often date to marry, so it’s not uncommon for people to start dating in their late teens early twenties, which may be considered to be a little late to start dating in American culture.
- Couples typically don’t live together until they are married.
- There usually involves some kind of courtship period within Ghanaian relationships, something that’s not as emphasized in American dating culture
- There usually involves some kind of courtship period within Ghanaian relationships, something that’s not as emphasized in American dating culture
Sex is not something that is encouraged before marriage. - Couples typically get blessings from their families before they marry.
- Couples meet through connections like family, friends, or church.
about the authors:
Kellen Hagans is a rising senior working on a double major in African American studies and Environmental Policy & Decision Making. He is from Kansas, was the Black student Union president for two years, and is looking forward to conducting summer research he was awarded funds for this summer.
Silas Washington is graduating with a degree in Business administration this year. He is from California, was on the Puget Sound football team his entire time, and also on track & field. He is excited about the food, culture, and a once in a lifetime journey to the motherland.