Abstract
This study explores the evolution of intergenerational solidarity in African societies, emphasising the impact of colonisation, modernity, and globalisation on traditional kinship structures. Historically, African communities prioritised intergenerational cohesion through communal living, indigenous knowledge transmission, and elder-led governance. However, the imposition of Western rationality, individualism, and economic pragmatism has eroded these systems, weakening traditional caregiving roles and disrupting intergenerational relationships. Using The Dialectic of Enlightenment as a theoretical lens, this paper critically examines how modernisation commodifies care, marginalises indigenous knowledge, and fosters cultural homogenisation. The concept of cocomelonisation is introduced to illustrate the global dominance of Western media in early childhood socialisation, further disconnecting younger generations from African epistemologies. The study employs critical discourse analysis and documentary review to assess these disruptions and their implications for social work practice. It argues for the reintegration of indigenous knowledge systems, the restoration of eldership in governance, and the mainstreaming of gerontology in social work education. By fostering critical consciousness, social workers can strengthen intergenerational bonds, ensuring enduring well-being. This paper underscores the need for socially transformative policies that balance modern advancements with African values, advocating for a human-centred approach to social work and community resilience.
Presenters
Mpumelelo NcubeAcademic Head of Department and Associate Professor, Department of Social Work, University of Free State, Free State, South Africa
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
2025 Special Focus—Aging, Intergenerational Solidarity and the Polycrisis
KEYWORDS
Intergenerational Solidarity, African Kinship Systems, Decolonization And Social Work, Indigenous
