New Media and the Christian Family: Experiences from the USA and Africa (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9780692795163)

This book explores the falling standard of traditional Christian family values as a result of the rise and overuse of the new media. The author, a priest from Africa narrates his ups and downs in his attempt to acclimatize in his new world. He is sucked in the vast differences between family life back home and what he sees in the US. His attempt to find solace from fellow Africans who have apparently been westernized, only leaves him bewildered as they jokingly offer him a resigned: "Welcome to America." While pets are an integral part of family life in the US, it is just not the case in Cameroon, Africa; while the entire family respects and cares for the elderly in Africa, the priest is baffled to minister to the elderly in nursing homes in the US. All that hovers in the back of his mind as he ministers to the hospice-bound is: "Where is their family?" While homosexuality is a taboo in Africa, the African priest in America is expected to shepherd even those with homosexual orientation. Despite these stark contrasts, the author closely looks at some similarities in family life between both cultures based on the dominant exposure to, and consumption of, new media. Indeed, the availability of new media have closed the gap between the advanced and developing nations, as access to all kinds of media are becoming even. Consequently, the exposure to media contents that are hostile to traditional family values is worrisome to all cultures. Fr. Emeh would look at data from Africa and the USA to make his case- that has revealed the impact of unwholesome media content on traditional family values in both world views. Many families now live together, but separately, because humans are becoming more intimate to phones and iPads than to people. In conclusion, this book proposes practical ways through which Church leaders, parents, and children can work together to uphold traditional family values, even while keeping their new gadgets. Here comes a timely manual for parents, children, teachers, students and families as they navigate the new media world. The research methods and findings can also serve students of sociology and intercultural communication studies, as well as everyone who cares to know more about the impact of new media on human relationships.

Author: Wilfred E. Emeh
ISBN-10: 0692795162
ISBN-13: 9780692795163
Publisher: Our Lady of Sorrows Church
Language: English
Published: 11/27/2016
Pages: 184
Format: Paperback
Weight: 0.97lbs
Size: 11.02h x 8.50w x 0.39d