A Study of Agĩkũyũ Family Set-up and Roman Catholic “family of God” Church Image Towards Adequate Parenting in Karũrĩ Catholic Parish, Kĩambu County Using Inculturation Approach

Abstract

This study investigates the Agĩkũyũ family set-up and Roman Catholic “Family of God” Church image towards adequate parenting in Karũrĩ Catholic Parish, Kĩambu County using inculturation approach. Deficient parenting and impoverishment of moral values in the youth are trending topics today while the dwindling contribution of the larger family to parenting has been linked to the falling moral standards. Accordingly, there is an outcry and demand for an urgent response to the declining level of morality among the youth. The main aim of the study is to integrate Agĩkũyũ family and parenting values into RCC doctrine and theologians’ reflections on family and parenting in view of transmitting moral values in Karũrĩ Catholic Parish. The study is guided by five specific objectives namely: To examine the role of Agĩkũyũ family set-up in transmitting family and parenting values; To determine the manner of transmitting moral values; to scrutinize RCC doctrine and theologians’ reflections on family and parenting with regard to teaching moral values; to examine the Roman Catholic “Family of God” Church image and inculturation approach with regard to transmitting moral values; and to integrate Agĩkũyũ family and parenting values into RCC doctrine and theologians’ reflections on family and parenting in view of transmitting moral values. The descriptive case study design is adapted. Questionnaire and interview techniques are used to gather primary data while desk review of literature is carried out to collect secondary data contained in relevant anthropological materials concerning the Agĩkũyũ’s opted for realm and ecclesial documents. The data is analyzed using qualitative tools to address each objective. Three complementary theories guide the study. The Erikson’s psycho-social theory helps in constructing the categories of respondents on which data is sourced while the mediation theory gives three major mediations which are: Socio-analytical mediation, hermeneutical mediation and the practical mediation, which the researcher engages in investigating the subject matter. The redaction criticism theory aids the study source scientifically and systematically from the relevant Biblical texts to inspire adequate parenting. The findings reveal that the Agĩkũyũ family set-up is still essential for transmitting family and parenting values even though the community’s uniting and bonding characteristics, and the extended family that supported adequate parenting no longer function as intended. Another issue drawn is that the kind of parenting in Karũrĩ Catholic Parish lacks a unified, orderly and proven way of teaching children at different stages of growth where needs differ. Among the recommendations is that parents should make a determined adjustment and create time to teach their children while being mindful of the values and virtues taught at different stages of a child’s growth. The conviction is that such a way forward is long overdue and the bottom line is that a more relevant pastoral approach within the context of new evangelization is critical. The main claim of the study is that transmitting family and parenting values for holistic development of children and youth will be difficult because of the dwindling family involvement and the lack of an elaborate manner of parenting. As the study spells out, the transmission of moral values and the liberation of the youth should be inspired both by Agĩkũyũ insights on family and parenting values and ecclesial pedagogy on genuine holistic parenting actualized through inculturation approach.