Order and others in the family structures of Ancient Roman and Yoruba traditional cultures

Abstract

Every family is known with its values that must be guided, cherished and projected by members of such family. These values, more often than not, are transmitted into the larger society. In the traditional Yoruba family of western Nigeria, for instance, the family structure was hierarchically formed with the Olórí Ẹbí (the head of the family) at the top of the family tree; he is responsible for the maintenance of peace and order within the family by ensuring that the family system achieves social order. Also, in ancient Roman society, the familia (household) was headed by the paterfamilias, who was endowed with nearly limitless power over his household. The paterfamilias was the oldest living male of the family. He ensures that members of his household conform to societal norms and expectations.Thus, this paper explores, comparatively, the family structures in ancient Roman and Yoruba traditional cultures, focusing on the concept of order and others in both family structures.The paper employs the family systems theory, which states that the family is one indivisible, one whole system. Thus, members of the family must uphold the values inherent in such family. By examining the family structure in both ancient Rome and Yoruba cultures, the paper posits that the family values inherent in both cultures determined the orderliness experienced in their respective larger societies.The paper concludes that for any society to run smoothly and for vices to be reduced to the bare minimum, the family unit must be structurally united and its members must uphold the family principles and values.