Veteran Nollywood actress Chinyere Wilfred expresses deep concerns over the rising number of broken homes in society today and the increasing challenges parents face in raising responsible and emotionally balanced children in this fast-changing digital era.
In an exclusive and heartfelt chat with The Nation, the actress, who has successfully maintained over 30 years of marriage, attributed the surge in marital breakdowns to the gradual erosion of traditional family values, the influence of Western culture, and the pervasive impact of social media on modern relationships.
She said …
“Today’s parents are Gen Z. Back in the day, our parents had boundaries
“What we see today is shocking. People get married, you buy aso ebi, and before you blink, boom, they’re divorced. Marriage isn’t a party dress you wear and throw away.”
Addressing the critical issue of modern parenting, the actress emphasized the urgent need for parents to strike a healthy balance between providing necessary guidance and giving children the freedom they need to grow, learn, and develop their own sense of identity and independence.
She noted that many African mothers, despite having good intentions, often interpret extreme strictness and harsh discipline as acts of love and protection. According to her, this outdated mindset can easily lead to strained relationships, rebellion, and deep emotional gaps between parents and their children.
The actress said …
“While shooting Sands of Time, I saw myself in that character. I didn’t realise I was overreacting with my children until I watched the playback. It hit me, I was being too controlling. I got home and mellowed down, especially with my son. Even now, as a graduate, he still can’t sleep out. I thought I was protecting them, but I was actually overprotecting
“We think we’re loving our children, but sometimes, we’re stifling them. Sands of Time is more than a series, it’s a conversation starter. It teaches us to listen more, to trust more, and to breathe.
“Parenting has become more complex, but the key is balance between guidance and freedom, discipline and understanding.”
She further urged parents to embrace open communication, empathy, and emotional intelligence, stressing that blindly following the disciplinary approaches of older generations may no longer be effective in today’s reality. She encouraged parents to understand the unique challenges that digital exposure and peer influence pose to young people, and to consciously work on building trust and openness at home.
Chinyere Wilfred concluded by highlighting that parenting should not be about exerting total control, but about nurturing independent, confident, and emotionally stable adults who can make sound decisions for themselves. She believes that strong family bonds, mutual respect, and shared values are crucial to reducing the rate of broken homes and raising a generation of well-adjusted children who can positively contribute to society.