Abstract
The study focused on the influence of economic recession on the extended
family system in Ohafia local government area of Abia State, Nigeria. The
specific purpose of the study were: to determine; ways economic recession has
influenced extended family systems norms in Abia State, other challenges of
economic recession on extended family system. It was a survey design. The
population for the study was 350 women who were registered members of
Ohafia Improvement Union (OIU) women wing. Questionnaire and FGD were
used for data collection. A random sample of 187 women who was drawn for
the study. Data were analyzed using mean and standard deviation. The
findings of the study include 10 functions of the extended family to its
members for example inculcates family values to the young ones; collective
economic survival, level equality among others, 12 ways economic recession
has influenced the EFS, for instance; Being each other’s brother’s keeper is
rarely practiced, care of the elderly has been shifted to the government, and
other types of influence not related to the FFS are. It has led to increase in
insurgency, armed robbery, increased youth unemployment among others.
Recommendations were based on the findings of the study thus; families must
make drastic changes to their pre-recession lifestyles which will include
adjustment among others.