DOI: 10.5176/2382-5650_CCS18.119
Authors: Munzhedzi James Mafela
Abstract:
Generational groups view romantic love differently in many societies of the world. Whereas the old generation sees it as a threat to traditional family and social structures, the young generation sees it as the source of happiness. The elderly, among the Africans, believes that the purpose of marriage is procreation. They consider marriage as a legal unification of man and woman, and that it unifies two families. Modern youth are against this belief, as they perceive African culture as an instrument used to abuse their rights; for example, it denies them the freedom to choose spouses [15]. The young generation views romantic love as a basis for marriage. They, therefore, resist the traditional perception of the institution of marriage, the action regarded by the old generation as a radical opposition to conventional social structures. This paper seeks to highlight the clash between the old and young generations that results from their perception of romantic love, as reflected in the Tshivenḓa novel, A si ene.
Keywords:African; bride-price; clan; culture; family; marriage; romantic love
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