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Repositioning the Family as a Catalyst for Peace and Security

EGBEADUMA, Julius PhD, FRANCIS Kenneth, AKEEM Bello, FASUAN Sikeoye Adetola

Abstract

In the face of escalating global insecurity and persistent violent conflicts, the search for sustainable peace has primarily focused on international diplomacy, military intervention, and institutional peacekeeping. However, the family the most fundamental and ancient unit of human society remains an underexplored yet powerful agent in the quest for lasting peace and security. This paper examines the critical role of the family in fostering non-violent, morally grounded, and socially responsible individuals who form the building blocks of peaceful societies. Drawing on multidisciplinary perspectives and relevant literature, the study argues that global peace is not solely the absence of war, but the presence of harmony, empathy, and mutual respect, which must be cultivated from the family level upward. It highlights how effective parenting, moral education, and emotional support within the family contribute to character formation and social cohesion, thereby reducing the tendency toward conflict and violence in society. The research also contrasts the exorbitant financial cost of global peacekeeping and military expenditures with the relatively modest yet impactful investment required to build strong family structures. Using qualitative insights and sociological analysis, the study advocates for the repositioning of the family as a core element in peacebuilding frameworks, both in policy and practice. It concludes that sustainable peace and security must begin at home, with families empowered to serve as the first line of defense against violence, extremism, and social disintegration.

Keywords

FamilyGlobal PeaceSecurityConflict PreventionMoral Education

References

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