THE PURPLE HIBISCUS IN RELATION TO THE AFRICAN CHILD

Taking a peek into Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, the winner of the commonwealth writer’s prize reminds one of the travails of the African child and the ‘hard-handedness’ of the average African parent. It entails the perfect description of improper/unhealthy family handling.

The unmistakable MR-KNOW-IT-ALL; Papa portrays himself as the perfect, spotless man; perhaps more holy than Prophet Muhammad or saintly than our very own Lord Jesus Christ. He dispatches without fail or fear, autocratic ‘discipline’ and even extends it to his lovely wife. Such actions are in sharp contradiction with marriage vow being exchanged.

This being a vivid example of what happens in the African society must be frowned at. Parents should encourage their wards to embrace morality without necessarily trampling on their children’s right to exposure, social growth, and more importantly, his/her communicative ability. Rules are okay, but they must be realistic; come on, a home isn’t some kind of militarized institution where children must comply  to some set of laid down rules neither  is it a ‘robotizing institute’ where children are made to behave/act in a particular way. This, if done has its way of tinkering a child’s mental growth/ability.

That being said, all African children deserve the right to a conducive and friendly environment/upbringing. Purple hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is a perfect blueprint model of how-not-to run a family and is a must read for everyone.

#Doffs hat in respect to mentor Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.