External Influence on Nigeria Family Life: Meaning of External Influence, Areas of External Influence on Nigerian Family Life, Positive and Negative Effects of External Influence | Primary 6 (Basic 6) First Term Week 1 Social Studies

EXTERNAL INFLUENCE ON NIGERIA FAMILY LIFE:LANGUAGE, FAMILY SYSTEM, BEHAVIOUR OF FAMILY MEMBERS, FOOD, MUSIC AND EDUCATION, WORKING MOTHERS/PARENTS, INFLUENCE OF RELIGION ON NIGERIAN FAMILY LIFE, MARRIAGE PATTERN AND GENERAL BEHAVIOUR OF FAMILY MEMBERS 

SOCIAL STUDIES

PRIMARY 6 – FIRST TERM – WEEK 1

THEME – NATIONAL VALUES EDUCATION 

PREVIOUS LESSON – First Term, Second Term and Third Term Social Studies Plan Lesson Notes and Scheme of Work for Primary 5 (Basic 5)

TOPIC – EXTERNAL INFLUENCE ON NIGERIA FAMILY LIFE

LEARNING AREA 

1. Introduction

2. Meaning of External Influence

3. Areas of External Influence on Nigerian Family Life

4. Positive and Negative Effects of External Influence

5. Weekly Assessment: Test Questions and Answers/Assignment

6. Summary

LEARNING OBJECTIVES 

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

1. Explain the meaning of external influence.

2. Identify areas of Nigerian family life affected by external influences.

3. Mention at least six external influences on Nigerian family life.

4. Explain how external influences affect language, food, music, education, and family behaviour.

5. State some positive and negative effects of external influences on Nigerian families.

ENTRY BEHAVIOUR

Pupils have previously learned about the family, types of family, family relationships, roles, responsibilities, and values in the family.

This lesson builds on that knowledge by introducing how ideas, cultures, practices, and lifestyles from outside Nigeria can influence the way Nigerian families live and behave.

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS

The teacher will teach the lesson with the aid of:

1. Pictures showing Nigerian and foreign family lifestyles

2. Pictures of different foods and musical activities

3. Charts showing family systems and marriage patterns

4. Pictures of parents at work and children at school

5. Flashcards

6. Social Studies textbook

METHOD OF TEACHING

Choose a suitable and appropriate methods for the lessons.

Note – Irrespective of choosing methods of teaching, always introduce an activities that will arouse pupil’s interest or lead them to the lessons. 

REFERENCE MATERIALS

1. Scheme of Work

2. 9 – Years Basic Education Curriculum

3. Course Book

4. All Relevant Material

5. Online Information

CONTENT OF THE LESSON

INTRODUCTION

Nigerian families do not live in isolation. Through education, religion, trade, technology, television, social media, music, and contact with other countries, families are exposed to ideas and practices from other cultures.

Some of these influences have brought positive changes, while others may affect traditional values and ways of life.

In this lesson, pupils will learn about external influences on Nigerian family life, including their effects on language, family system, behaviour, food, music, education, working parents, religion, marriage patterns, and general family behaviour.

LESSON 1 – MEANING OF EXTERNAL INFLUENCE

External influence refers to the effects that people, cultures, ideas, or practices from outside a family or society have on the way people live and behave.

Nigerian families have been influenced by other cultures through education, religion, trade, technology, migration, media, and contact with other countries.

AREAS OF EXTERNAL INFLUENCE ON NIGERIAN FAMILY LIFE

1. Language

Foreign languages, especially English, have influenced communication in Nigerian families. English is widely used in schools, offices, business, and government.

Some Nigerian families also use foreign words and expressions in their daily conversations.

2. Family System

External cultures have influenced the Nigerian family system. Traditional Nigerian families often placed strong emphasis on the extended family, while modern influences have encouraged smaller or nuclear families.

People may also adopt different ideas about family roles, decision-making, and child upbringing.

3. Behaviour of Family Members

External influences can affect how family members dress, communicate, relate to one another, and spend their leisure time.

Television, films, social media, and the internet can introduce children and adults to behaviours from other cultures.

4. Food

Nigerian families have adopted some foods and cooking methods from other cultures. Examples include bread, burgers, pizza, noodles, and other foreign-style meals.

At the same time, Nigerian traditional foods remain important in many families.

5. Music

Foreign music has influenced the type of music Nigerian families listen to and enjoy.

Nigerian musicians also combine local musical traditions with foreign styles to create modern forms of music.

6. Education

External influences have contributed to the development of the modern education system in Nigeria.

Foreign ideas have influenced school subjects, teaching methods, textbooks, technology, and the way education is organised.

7. Working Mothers/Parents

Modern education and economic changes have increased opportunities for both mothers and fathers to work outside the home.

As a result, responsibilities such as childcare, cooking, and other household duties may be shared more among family members.

8. Influence of Religion

Foreign religious influences, particularly Christianity and Islam, have affected Nigerian family life.

Religion can influence family values, marriage, child upbringing, dressing, festivals, worship, and general behaviour.

9. Marriage Pattern

External influences have affected marriage patterns in Nigeria.

Some families now place greater emphasis on individual choice, education, employment, and compatibility when choosing marriage partners. Traditional marriage practices still remain important in many Nigerian communities.

10. General Behaviour of Family Members

External influences can affect family members’ attitudes towards work, education, dressing, communication, relationships, technology, and entertainment.

Some influences may be positive, while others may be harmful. Families should accept useful ideas while preserving good cultural values.

LESSON 2 – POSITIVE EFFECTS OF EXTERNAL INFLUENCE

External influence can:

1. Improve education.

2. Introduce new skills and technology.

3. Improve communication.

4. Provide new employment opportunities.

5. Introduce new foods and ideas.

6. Promote cultural exchange.

7. Encourage families to adopt useful modern practices.

LESSON 3 – NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF EXTERNAL INFLUENCE

External influence can also:

1. Cause loss of some traditional values.

2. Encourage unhealthy lifestyles.

3. Lead to disrespect for elders and family traditions.

4. Expose children to inappropriate behaviour through media.

6. Reduce the use of some indigenous languages.

7. Create conflicts between traditional and modern values.

ON A FINAL NOTE 

• External influence has changed many aspects of Nigerian family life, including language, family systems, behaviour, food, music, education, employment, religion, marriage patterns, and general family behaviour.

• Families should accept positive influences while protecting valuable Nigerian cultural values and traditions.

WEEKLY ASSESSMENT: TEST QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS/ASSIGNMENT 

A. Multiple Choice Questions

1. External influence refers to the effect of ideas or practices that come from _____.

A. within the family only

B. schools only

C. children only

D. outside a family or society

2. Which foreign language has greatly influenced communication and education in Nigeria?

A. English

B. Yoruba

C. Igbo

D. Hausa

3. Which of the following is an example of external influence on Nigerian food?

A. Pizza

B. Pounded yam

C. Egusi soup

D. Moi moi

4. External influence has contributed to changes in the Nigerian ______.

A. education system

B. rainfall

C. climate

D. soil

5. Which of the following is a positive effect of external influence?

A. Loss of cultural values

B. Improved education

C. Disrespect for elders

D. Unhealthy lifestyles

B. Fill in the Gaps

6. External influence can affect the ______ spoken by family members.

7. Foreign music has influenced the type of ______ Nigerians listen to.

8. External influences have contributed to changes in the Nigerian ______ system.

9. Both mothers and fathers may now work outside the ______.

10. Families should accept useful external influences while preserving good cultural ______.

C. True or False

11. External influence can affect Nigerian family life. ______

12. Foreign cultures have no influence on Nigerian food. ______

13. Education is one area of Nigerian family life affected by external influence. ______

14. All external influences are harmful to Nigerian families. ______

15. Families can adopt useful ideas from other cultures while preserving good values. ______

D. Matching

16. Language — A. Foreign and local styles can influence what families listen to

17. Food — B. English is widely used in schools and offices

18. Music — C. Foreign foods have become popular in Nigeria

19. Education — D. External ideas have influenced teaching and learning

20. Religion — E. Can influence family values, marriage, and behaviour

ANSWER KEY

1. D – Outside a family or society

2. A – English

3. A – Pizza

4. A – Education system

5. B – Improved education

6. Language

7. Music

8. Education

9. Home

10. Values

11. True

12. False

13. True

14. False

15. True

16. B – English is widely used in schools and offices

17. C – Foreign foods have become popular in Nigeria

18. A – Foreign and local styles can influence what families listen to

19. D – External ideas have influenced teaching and learning

20. E – Can influence family values, marriage, and behaviour

SUMMARY

In this lesson, pupils learned that external influence refers to the effects of ideas, cultures, practices, and lifestyles from outside a family or society.

They learned that external influences have affected Nigerian family life in areas such as:

• Language

• Family system

• Behaviour of family members

• Food

• Music

• Education

• Working mothers and parents

• Religion

• Marriage patterns

• General behaviour of family members.

Pupils also learned that external influence can have positive and negative effects. Positive effects include improved education, new skills, technology, and employment opportunities. Negative effects may include loss of some traditional values, unhealthy lifestyles, and inappropriate behaviour.

They learned that families should accept useful external influences while preserving good Nigerian cultural values and traditions.

PRESENTATION

To deliver the lesson, the teacher adopts the following steps:

Step 1: Introduction

The teacher asks pupils:

• What foreign foods do you know?

• What languages are commonly spoken in Nigerian schools?

• What types of music do Nigerian families listen to?

• How can television, the internet, and social media influence family behaviour?

The teacher explains that Nigerian families are exposed to ideas, cultures, and practices from other countries through education, religion, trade, technology, media, and interaction with other people.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils answer the questions and mention examples of foreign influences they have observed.

Step 2: Meaning of External Influence

The teacher explains that external influence refers to the effects of ideas, cultures, practices, or lifestyles from outside a family or society.

The teacher explains that external influence can bring both positive and negative changes to family life.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils explain external influence in their own words.

Step 3: Influence on Language

The teacher explains that foreign languages have influenced communication in Nigerian families. English is widely used in schools, offices, business, and government.

The teacher also explains that some families use foreign words and expressions in their daily communication.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils mention languages they speak or hear at home and school.

Step 4: Influence on Family System

The teacher explains that external influences have contributed to changes in the Nigerian family system.

• Traditional Nigerian families often placed strong emphasis on the extended family, while modern influences have encouraged smaller or nuclear families in some communities.

• External ideas have also influenced family roles, decision-making, and child upbringing.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils identify differences between extended and nuclear family systems.

Step 5: Influence on Behaviour of Family Members

The teacher explains that television, films, social media, and the internet expose family members to behaviours from other cultures.

• These influences may affect how people dress, communicate, relate to others, and spend their leisure time.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils mention examples of behaviours they may learn from the media or other cultures.

Step 6: Influence on Food

The teacher explains that Nigerian families have adopted some foods and cooking methods from other cultures.

• Examples include bread, burgers, pizza, noodles, and other foreign-style meals.

The teacher reminds pupils that Nigerian traditional foods remain important and should be valued.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils mention foreign and traditional foods commonly eaten by Nigerian families.

Step 7: Influence on Music

The teacher explains that foreign music has influenced the type of music Nigerians listen to.

• Nigerian musicians also combine local musical traditions with foreign styles to produce modern music.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils mention different types of music they know and identify local and foreign influences.

Step 8: Influence on Education

The teacher explains that external influences have contributed to the development of modern education in Nigeria.

Foreign ideas have influenced:

• School subjects

• Teaching methods

• Textbooks

• Educational technology

• Organisation of schools

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils mention some modern educational practices and technologies used in schools.

Step 9: Working Mothers and Parents

The teacher explains that education and economic changes have increased opportunities for both mothers and fathers to work outside the home.

• As a result, family responsibilities such as childcare and household duties may be shared among family members.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils discuss how family members can cooperate with household responsibilities.

Step 10: Influence of Religion

The teacher explains that religions such as Christianity and Islam have influenced Nigerian family life.

Religion can influence:

• Family values

• Marriage

• Child upbringing

• Dressing

• Festivals

• Worship

• General behaviour

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils mention ways religion can influence family values and behaviour.

Step 11: Influence on Marriage Pattern

The teacher explains that external influences have affected marriage patterns in Nigeria.

• Some families now place greater importance on individual choice, education, employment, and compatibility when choosing marriage partners.

The teacher explains that traditional marriage practices remain important in many Nigerian communities.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils discuss some factors that may influence marriage decisions.

Step 12: General Behaviour of Family Members

The teacher explains that external influences can affect attitudes towards:

• Work

• Education

• Dressing

• Communication

• Relationships

• Technology

• Entertainment

The teacher explains that families should carefully choose positive influences and avoid harmful ones.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils identify positive and negative external influences on family behaviour.

Step 13: Positive and Negative Effects

The teacher explains that external influence can have positive effects such as:

• Improved education.

• New skills and technology.

• Better communication.

• New employment opportunities.

• Cultural exchange.

The teacher also explains that negative effects may include:

• Loss of some traditional values.

• Unhealthy lifestyles.

• Disrespect for elders.

• Exposure to inappropriate behaviour.

• Reduced use of indigenous languages.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils classify examples of external influence as positive or negative.

Step 14: Group Activity

The teacher divides pupils into three groups.

• Group 1: Mention five areas of Nigerian family life affected by external influence.

• Group 2: State five positive effects of external influence.

• Group 3: List five negative effects of external influence.

Each group presents its answers to the class.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils discuss, write, and present their answers.

Step 15: Lesson Summary

The teacher reviews the meaning of external influence and its effects on language, family system, behaviour, food, music, education, working parents, religion, marriage patterns, and general family behaviour.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils answer oral questions and summarise what they have learned.

Step 16: Evaluation

The teacher gives pupils a different set of 20 questions as oral questions, a quiz, take-home work, or a quick test to assess their understanding of external influences on Nigerian family life.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils answer the questions individually or in groups.

CONCLUSION

To conclude the lesson for the week, the teacher revises the entire lesson and links it to the following week’s lesson.

NEXT LESSON

The Influence of Working Parents on the Nigerian Family: Meaning of Working Parents, Influences of Working Parents on the Nigerian Family, Positive and Negative Effects of Working Parents | Primary 6 (Basic 6) First Term Week 2 Social Studies

LESSON EVALUATION 

Teacher asks pupils,

1. What is external influence?

2. Mention six areas of Nigerian family life affected by external influence.

3. State four positive effects of external influence on Nigerian families.

4. List four negative effects of external influence on Nigerian families.

5. How has external influence affected Nigerian education?

6. Why should families preserve good cultural values while accepting useful external influences?