Most African nations have high levels of cultural and linguistic diversity. Family structures and kinship models are thus often the result of local cultural histories. But they are also increasingly influenced by cultural ideals disseminated through global institutions and media. Understanding how these two realities interact with each other in everyday African life can be challenging. To help readers better understand this complex topic, Frontiers of Globalization gathers together a collection of essays on the topic, drawn from a wide range of academic fields.