Abstract
There have been concerns that parental negligence has paved way for the sexual molestation of the girl-child in most families and, this has been represented in some African literary works. However, these representations have been limited to attitudes and actions of parents alone in the upbringing of children. This paper, through an assessment of Yejide Kilanko’s Daughters Who Walk this Path, interrogates explicit effects of absentee and insensitive parenthood on the psyche of the girl-child and how the longings for parental care approximates to the desire for sisterhood bonding. The paper adopts a qualitative research method and relies on textual analysis of some loci points in the novel relevant to Cathy Caruth’s Trauma theory. A close reading of the text reveals that sisterhood bonding and relations are viable mechanisms in coping and recovering from the trauma of parental negligence. The paper concludes that although the actions and inactions of the members of the family might give rise to situations which could adversely affect the girl-child’s psyche, redeeming opportunities do exist through sisterhood and the solace it brings.
Introduction
The family is the building block of society and prides itself as the first institution the child is exposed to. It is the primary agent of socialisation which is vested with the responsibility of bringing up and catering for the child. This is where the child learns to discover his/her abilities, strengths and weaknesses. Usually, the family is expected to provide warmth, love and support to the child. All these are only made possible through ties and relationships between the child and other members of the family. These relationships go a long way in shaping the psyche of the child. According to Charles Zubrick, relationships within the family are associated with members’ well being, particularly for children (Zubrick, 1965, p.3). Suffice to say, therefore, that the importance and relevance of the family in child-raising cannot be underestimated. Therefore, whatever experience the child faces in the family tends to shape his/her psyche and worldview. Hence, the onerous task of members of the family becomes an attempt at being cautious in utterances, treatments and actions to the children as these mostly constitute their psychological make-up and account for their behaviour later on.
Content
Discussions around the girl-child are one of contemporary society’s construct. The girl-child was one of the twelve crucial areas of concern raised in the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action in 1995. It concluded in nine strategic objectives framed as a means of holding governments accountable for the welfare of the girl-child (Adeleke, 2012, p.21). This critical welfare includes protection from physical and sexual exploitation, eradication of discrimination in the field of education and increased awareness on the struggles being faced by girls today. Governments all around the world have devised various educational, economic, political and social policies to adequately better the lot of the girl-child and one can categorically admit that life for the girl-child is steadily improving. The newly elevated status of importance conferred on the girl-child dismantles the erstwhile status quo of her dehumanising condition(s) in the society. However, in spite of these measures on the part of the government, many girls are still subjected to horrific experiences and discriminations which take place right within the home. These experiences range from sexual abuse by brothers, cousins, domestic staff and even (step) fathers in some cases, discrimination in home chores among others.
Conclusion
In Daughters Who Walk This Path, Yejide Kilanko intricately weaves a narrative that explores trauma, parental negligence, and the resilience required to overcome these adversities. Through Morayo's journey, the novel vividly portrays the devastating impact of trauma and the silence that often surrounds it. This paper, therefore, presents the prominence of the role of family relationships in the upbringing of the child. Literature has proved to be a viable tool for showcasing family relationships and its adverse effects on the (girl) child. In Daughters Who Walk This Path, the author portrays how the relationship between parents, siblings and the girl-child can contribute to her psychological make-up. Through the characters of Morayo and Morenikeji, the reader is presented with the story of survivors who have had firsthand experiences of sexual abuse and molestation within the same families that should have been spaces for their protection. However, Kilanko does not merely dwell on the pain; she offers a path toward healing and resilience through Morayo’s eventual confrontation with her past and her commitment to breaking cycles of silence and shame. The paper, therefore, showcases the trauma which they have to battle as the aftermath of this abuse and concludes that female bonding and political participation are practical mechanisms for combating this trauma. The novel does not only proffer hope of redemption to the survivors through sisterhood relations but sheds light on the lasting scars of parental negligence and trauma; offering a blueprint for resilience, while urging readers to create spaces where pain can be discussed, shame dismantled and resilience nurtured.
References
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Accessed, 18th June, 2024 at http://muse.jhu.edu/login?auth=0&type=sum.
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to Political Terror. New York: Basic Books.
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Women Writers and Critics”. English Academy Review, 133-141.
Nutsukpo, M. (2018). "Sexism and Sexual Victimisation in Yejide Kilanko's Daughters who Walk
this Path". International Journal of Advanced Scientific Research in Humanities, Legal
Studies and International Relations, 3 (3), 62-72.
Ogbazi, I. & Amah, U. C. (2021). "Rape and Identity in Yejide Kilanko's Daughters who
Walk this Path. Interdisciplinary Journal of African & Asian Studies. 7 (2), 47-53.
Okereke, G. (2011). “Wanted Parents: Understanding Child Upbringing through Contextual
Family Therapy”. Journal of Family Studies. 9(1), 43-64.
Putnam, F.W. (2003). “Ten-Year Research Update Review: Child Sexual Abuse”. Journal of
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. 42 (3), 269-278.
Rosetti, C. (1893). Goblin Market. Macmillan.
Udoette, M. (2019). “The Dynamics of Female Bonding and Liberation in Akachi Adimora
Ezeigbo’s House of Symbols”. AFRREV LALIGENS: An International Journal of
Language, Literature and Gender Studies. 8 (1), 65-72.
Udoette, Monica. (2017). “Dysfunctionality and Arrearage in Terry McMillian’s A Day Late and a Dollar Short”. AKSUJEL: A Journal of the Department of English, Akwa Ibom State University. 2, 68-77.
Wykes, M. & Welsh, K. (2009). Violence, Gender and Justice. Sage Publications Page.
Zubrick, C. (1965). Children, the Family and the Society. Pearson.
Akoni, O. & Ahueze, V. (2023). “2588 Children Sexually Abused in Lagos-Govt.” Vanguard.
Accessed, 28th October, 2024 at www.vanguardngr.com.
Akpan, K. & Akpan, I. (2022). “Cultural Matrixes, Trauma, and Female Voices in Yejide
Kilanko's Novels". Voices: A Journal of English Studies. 7(3), 29-38.
Bailey, Donna. “Review of Yejide Kilanko’s Daughters Who Walk This Path.” Project Muse.
Accessed, 18th June, 2024 at http://muse.jhu.edu/login?auth=0&type=sum.
Bates, U. U., et. al. (2005). Women's Realities, Women's Choices: An Introduction to Women's
Studies. Oxford University Press, 3rd Edition.
Browne, A. & Finkelhor, D. (1986) "Impact of Child Abuse: A Review of Research".
Psychological Bulletin. 9 (1), 66-77.
Caruth, C. 1996). Unclaimed Experience: Trauma, Narrative and History. John Hopkins
University Press.
Dodhy, S. (2017). "The Phenomenon of Intrusive Thoughts in Yejide Kilanko's Daughters who
Walk this Path”. Advances in Language and Literary Studies. 8 (5), 99-102.
Herman-Lewis, J. (1992). Trauma and Recovery: The Aftermath of Violence-from Domestic Abuse
to Political Terror. New York: Basic Books.
Kaplan, A. (2005). Trauma Culture: The Politics of Terror and Loss in Media and Literature.
Rutgers University Press.
Kilanko, Y. (2012). Daughters Who Walk this Path. Kachifo Limited.
Matlin, M. W. (2004). The Psychology of Women. Wadsworth.
158
Planeyo Journal of Arts and Humanities (PLANJAH). Maiden Edition. Volume 1, Number 1, 2024.
Nkealah, N. (2006). “Conceptualizing Feminism(s) in Africa: The Challenges Facing African
Women Writers and Critics”. English Academy Review, 133-141.
Nutsukpo, M. (2018). "Sexism and Sexual Victimisation in Yejide Kilanko's Daughters who Walk
this Path". International Journal of Advanced Scientific Research in Humanities, Legal
Studies and International Relations, 3 (3), 62-72.
Ogbazi, I. & Amah, U. C. (2021). "Rape and Identity in Yejide Kilanko's Daughters who
Walk this Path. Interdisciplinary Journal of African & Asian Studies. 7 (2), 47-53.
Okereke, G. (2011). “Wanted Parents: Understanding Child Upbringing through Contextual
Family Therapy”. Journal of Family Studies. 9(1), 43-64.
Putnam, F.W. (2003). “Ten-Year Research Update Review: Child Sexual Abuse”. Journal of
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. 42 (3), 269-278.
Rosetti, C. (1893). Goblin Market. Macmillan.
Udoette, M. (2019). “The Dynamics of Female Bonding and Liberation in Akachi Adimora
Ezeigbo’s House of Symbols”. AFRREV LALIGENS: An International Journal of
Language, Literature and Gender Studies. 8 (1), 65-72.
Udoette, Monica. (2017). “Dysfunctionality and Arrearage in Terry McMillian’s A Day Late and a Dollar Short”. AKSUJEL: A Journal of the Department of English, Akwa Ibom State University. 2, 68-77.
Wykes, M. & Welsh, K. (2009). Violence, Gender and Justice. Sage Publications Page.
Zubrick, C. (1965). Children, the Family and the Society. Pearson.