Family System Under Threat as Experts Call for Urgent Parenting and Moral Reorientation
Family life educators and mental health professionals have raised alarm over what they describe as a growing crisis within the family system, warning that rising dysfunction, weakened moral values, communication breakdowns, sexual abuse, and untreated mental health challenges are undermining the foundation of society. Speaking on Springboard, Your Virtual University with Rev. Albert Ocran, Family Life Educator and President of Fruitful Ministries International, Rev. Dr. Samuel Kisseaddo, and Licensed Clinical Psychologist at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Lynda Dede Ahulu, both underscored the urgent need for intentional parenting, moral reorientation, and open dialogue within families. Rev. Dr. Kisseaddo said the family institution is under pressure “on all fronts,” attributing the strain to rising selfishness, individualism, and the erosion of shared values. He noted that the original concept of family was built on unity and togetherness, but modern dynamics are increasingly driven by competition and self-centeredness. “If a person does not aim at unity, then you are not functioning as God intended,” he said, stressing that the loss of togetherness threatens the core purpose of the family unit. He described marriage as fundamentally a sexual relationship that requires proper education and moral instruction, warning that the absence of structured sex education within families has led to distortions in sexuality and instability in marriages. According to him, unregulated sexual passion can destabilize families, calling for a national crusade on sex education for young people. “The strongest passion in the human body is sex, and if it is not properly guided, the family is threatened from its very foundation,” he stated. Rev. Dr. Kisseaddo further pointed to moral decline, distractions, and external influences as contributors to the weakening of families, adding that historical societal collapses often begin with the breakdown of family structures. He urged a return to intentional parenting practices, including family meetings, structured engagement, and spiritual guidance. Licensed Clinical Psychologist Lynda Dede Ahulu also highlighted significant strains on the family unit, citing poor communication, parental unavailability, trauma, and untreated mental health conditions as major factors. She noted that the family plays a central role in shaping both individuals and society. “The family has the propensity to impact both its members and society. If society is unhealthy, look at the family unit,” she said. Ms. Ahulu identified communication breakdown between parents and children as a key indicator of a family in distress, noting that many children no longer feel safe confiding in their parents. As a result, parents often remain unaware of critical issues such as sexual abuse, substance use, bullying, and emotional struggles. She also pointed to excessive phone use and digital distractions as barriers to meaningful family interaction. She further discussed the psychological impact of childhood trauma and generational patterns of dysfunction, explaining that unresolved trauma can influence behaviour across generations. According to her, abuse, neglect, depression, and emotional unavailability can shape future relationship patterns if not addressed. Ms. Ahulu also listed depression, suicidal ideation, financial stress, infertility challenges, neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism, and societal pressures regarding the gender of children as stressors that place additional strain on marriages and family systems. Both experts emphasized the need for intentional parenting, ethical grounding, education, and open communication to rebuild resilient families. Rev. Dr. Kisseaddo stressed that marriage and parenting require preparation and continuous effort, describing marriage as a process rather than a finished product. “Marriage is not a finished product. It depends on what you put into it,” he said. About Springboard, Your Virtual University Springboard, Your Virtual University, is a weekly motivational and personal development broadcast hosted by Rev. Albert Ocran. It airs every Sunday at 7 PM on Springboard Channel (YouTube) and Joy FM, and at 9 PM on Joy News TV. Springboard Road Show Foundation Marketing and Communications Genevieve Mensah
