Education is a multifaceted concept that encompasses both formal and informal learning. Formal education, which takes place in structured institutions, has long been recognized as a key driver of personal and societal development.
However, informal education, which occurs through family, community, and social interactions, plays an equally critical role in shaping individuals and communities. As modern societies continue to evolve, both forms of education are facing challenges that impact their effectiveness.
This two-part article series will examine the role of both formal and informal education, their limitations and challenges, and potential strategies for revitalizing them to promote human flourishing and bridge the gap between economic development and social well-being.
The Importance of Informal Education
Being able to properly function in society is fundamental to human development and stability. This encompasses adherence to societal and cultural norms, values, and expectations, as well as cultivating a sense of civic responsibility.
Education plays a pivotal role in nurturing these attributes. While formal education is systematized and institutional, informal education—which occurs outside of structured school settings—has long been recognized as essential to holistic human development. Informal education is transmitted through agents such as parents, siblings, extended family, peers, and the broader community.
Among these, the role of parents or the immediate family, known as primary socializing agents, is particularly critical. According to Berger and Luckmann (1966), socialization is the process through which individuals internalize the values, beliefs, and norms of a given society, and primary socialization is the foundation upon which all subsequent learning is built.
From the moment of conception, the child begins to bond with the mother, and this attachment becomes the cornerstone for early emotional, social, and psychological development. After birth, parents, especially during the formative years—significantly influence a child’s behavioral and value orientation. Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory (1979) underscores the vital role of the microsystem (which includes family) in shaping child development.
A nurturing home environment is linked with better emotional regulation, academic achievement, and prosocial behavior. Conversely, if the socializing process is flawed or absent, the child may grow up experiencing developmental deficits and become socially dysfunctional.
These negative effects often ripple into adulthood, affecting interpersonal relationships, work ethic, and civic participation. As John Bowlby (1988) notes in his attachment theory, disruptions in early attachment can lead to long-term emotional and relational difficulties.
The Erosion of Informal Education in Modern Economies and its consequences
The relationship between economic development and the erosion of informal education is a compelling area of concern. In earlier, agrarian societies often labeled as “primitive,” the family functioned as a cohesive economic and social unit. Children grew up under the direct tutelage of their parents and participated in the household economy.
However, the Industrial Revolution initiated a paradigm shift, as men, and eventually women, began seeking employment in urban centers, thereby diminishing the time available for direct child-rearing. As historian E.P. Thompson (1967) explained, industrialization altered not just work patterns but family life itself, transforming the home from a site of production to one of consumption.
This trend has intensified in modern economies, where even in developing countries, economic pressures compel parents to migrate—sometimes internationally—leaving children in the care of extended family or even strangers. In many cases, this has led to neglect and abuse, with informal education becoming harsh or entirely absent.
This erosion of informal education has profound consequences. Children who lack consistent parental presence and guidance often miss out on crucial moral, emotional, and cultural instruction.
In developed economies, although resources may be more abundant, time scarcity due to full-time employment similarly undermines parental involvement. The Center for American Progress (2018) reports that American parents, on average, spend significantly less time with their children than previous generations, affecting children’s socio-emotional growth.
The pursuit of a better standard of living, while laudable, has often translated into the outsourcing of parenting roles to institutions or digital platforms, with mixed results. As developmental psychologist Diana Baumrind (1991) observed, authoritative parenting, which requires time and engagement, is linked to the most positive child outcomes—a standard difficult to maintain when economic demands override family life.
Thus, informal education is increasingly imperiled by the very economic development it once supported. The unintended result is a generation in many parts of the world that is socially underprepared, emotionally fragile, and culturally disconnected.
This, in turn, poses challenges to sustaining long-term economic growth, as human capital quality declines. Both affluent and impoverished nations now grapple with the irony of having sacrificed the bedrock of social development—informal education—in pursuit of economic gains.
As Ecclesiastes 7:29 wisely observes, “God made us plain and simple, but we have made ourselves very complicated.” Rebuilding the link between economic progress and robust informal socialization is essential for crafting societies that are not only prosperous but also humane and sustainable.
The Solutions
To counteract the erosion of informal education, a multi-faceted approach is necessary. Governments can play a crucial role by implementing family-centered policies that promote work-life balance. This can include paid parental leave, flexible working hours, and subsidized childcare, allowing parents to spend quality time with their children during critical developmental stages. Research has shown that countries with such policies tend to have better child development and academic success outcomes.
Community-based initiatives can also help supplement informal education, particularly in contexts where parents are absent. Local organizations and community centers can provide mentorship programs, intergenerational learning, and neighborhood support networks. These initiatives can help children develop important life skills and values.
Educating parents about their role in child development is also essential. Governments and charitable organizations can offer workshops and online resources to equip parents with the tools they need to support their children’s development. This can include information on attachment theory, emotional intelligence, and effective parenting strategies.
Technology can also be leveraged to support informal education, but it requires responsible parental mediation. Digital platforms can provide access to educational content, storytelling, and moral lessons, but parents must be involved in curating and supervising this content.
A broader economic reorientation is also necessary, prioritizing human well-being over productivity and GDP growth. This can involve shifting the focus from economic output to expanding people’s real freedoms, including the ability to raise and educate children properly.
Please let’s interact: +1 (914) 259-0242
The author is a dynamic entrepreneur and the Founder and Group CEO of Groupe Soleil Vision, made up of Soleil Consults (US), LLC, NubianBiz.com and Soleil Publications. He has an extensive background In Strategy, Management, Entrepreneurship, Premium Audit Advisory, And Web Consulting. With professional experiences spanning both Ghana and the United States, Jules has developed a reputation as a thought leader in fields such as corporate governance, leadership, e-commerce, and customer service. His publications explore a variety of topics, including economics, information technology, marketing and branding, making him a prominent voice in discussions on development and business innovation across Africa. Through NubianBiz.com, he actively champions intra-African trade and technology-driven growth to empower SMEs across the continent.
