Senegalese Families

Senegalese Families

Family Structure

The family structure in Senegal is very traditional. For example, men are considered the head of the family, and women are responsible for the household duties. Also, the family is a source of strength and pride. Extended families live together in communes, and ideas of personal space and privacy are not generally practiced. Resources are shared between family members, and contributing to the family is very important. Most children live with their families until they get a job or get married. In each family, one sibling serves as a protector, a confidant, and a peacemaker between other siblings, and when the parents pass away, that sibling assumes the role of the head of the family. The other siblings are expected to respect this idea.

Mallory Egly

CultureGrams

Francophone Africa/Senegal