A Study of Agĩkũyũ Widowed Single Fathers and Mothers in Kĩambaa Village, Kĩambu County Through Christian Inculturation- Liberation Approach

Abstract

This Study examines Agĩkũyũ Widowed Single Fathers and Mothers in Kĩambaa Village, Kĩambu County through Christian Inculturation-Liberation approach investigating the challenges they face with a view to empowering them to handle these challenges effectively in order to be better parents within the realm of the of the Church Image of the “Family of God.” The Study is both anthropological and theological: Anthropological since it investigates Agĩkũyũ socio-religio-cultural values on family, parenting and single parenting through oral and written sources; theological as it examines Church doctrines and Theologians’ reflections on Inculturation and Liberation as well as family and parenting, with finality to Inculturating them with related anthropological items. The main goal of the Study is to examine the challenges encountered by Agĩkũyũ Widowed Single Fathers and Mothers in Kĩambaa Village, Kĩambu County investigating how they can be empowered to be better parents within the realm of “Family of God” through Christian Inculturation-Liberation approach. This is achieved through the following specific objectives: To examine the nature of Agĩkũyũ Widowed Single Fathers and Mothers in Kĩambaa Village, Kĩambu County as we discuss the contemporary challenges they encounter; To explore the Agĩkũyũ socio-religio cultural understanding of family and parenting in view of our subject matter; To peruse selected Church doctrines and theologians’ reflections on Inculturation and Liberation as well as family and parenting in relation to our subject; To provide an effort in Inculturating Church doctrines and theologians’ reflection son Inculturation and Liberation as well as family and parenting using related Agĩkũyũ socio-religio-cultural values with reference to Agĩkũyũ Widowed Single Fathers and Mothers; and To draw out implications of the Study and emerging recommendations together with areas for further research. The main hypothesis of the Study is that through proper Christian Inculturation- Liberation approach, Agĩkũyũ Widowed Single Fathers and Mothers in Kĩambaa Village, Kĩambu County can be empowered to effectively handle the challenges they are confronted with so as to be better parents within the realm of the Church Image of the “Family of God.” The specific hypotheses are: Agĩkũyũ Widowed Single Fathers and Mothers are encountering contemporary troublesome challenges that need to be addressed through proper Christian Inculturation –Liberation approach; Agĩkũyũ socio-religio cultural understanding on family, parenting and single parenting is crucial for our kind of Study; There are very useful Christian doctrines and theological reflections on family and parenting necessary for our Study; An informed effort in Inculturating Church doctrines and theologians’ reflections on Inculturation and Liberation as well as family and parenting using related Agĩkũyũ socio-religio-cultural values with reference to Agĩkũyũ Widowed Single Fathers and Mothers is of immense importance; and that there are invaluable implications and emerging recommendations from the Study that may be benevolently used to empower Widowed Single Fathers and Mothers to effectively handle the challenges they are confronted with so as to be better parents within the realm of the “Family of God.” The Study is guided, in its methodology and pursuance of the above objectives and hypotheses, by two complementary theories namely: mediation theory expounded by Leonardo Boff and Clodovis Boff and redaction criticism theory expounded by exponents such as E. Kasemann, G. Bornkamm, and H. Conzelmann et al.Mediation theory guides the method of data collection, analysis and way forward through the three mediations namely: socio-analytical mediation; hermeneutical mediation and practical mediation. Redaction criticism theory complements the first theory as a critical tool of sourcing scientifically and in a scholarly manner from Christian sources namely; Christian Tradition, Bible and tradition. Data is collected from both primary and secondary sources and sampling of the respondents is done through Non-Probability purposive sampling technique. From the Study findings and analysis, awareness is created that Single Parenting encompasses not only the Single Mothers as often thought of, but also the Single Fathers. The Widowed Single Fathers and Mothers are one of the diverse categories of single parents. The Study therefore calls upon Pastoral agents to pay attention to these specific modes of parenting that are becoming more pronounced day by day in our contemporary society. They should not wish them away but instead provide relevant pastoral care expected in the “Family of God” that would empower these parents to be better parents by equipping them to handle the challenges more effectively. Furthermore, the Study explicates some of the contemporary troublesome challenges encountered by these parents particularly parenting as such. A conclusion is drawn that Agĩkũyũ and generally African Family-hood and Parenting system reveals a value system that the Church can appeal to in order to address effectively some of the challenges facing Agĩkũyũ Widowed Single Fathers and Mothers and other Single Parents in African communities thus empowering them to be better parents within the realm of the “Family of God. Inculturation of Church doctrines and theologians’ reflections on family and parenting using related Agĩkũyũ socio-religio cultural values through Christian Inculturation-Liberation approach is thus necessary for our subject. The Study further challenges the Church to unearth the values inherent in the “Family of God” such as love, fidelity, solidarity, accountability, responsibility and mutual interpersonal relationship. Consequently, the true image of the Church as the “Family of God,” should be pursued by all and reflected among the faithful at the very basic level of SCCs. The communion of sharing spiritual and material resources should be encouraged among the faithful.