As a result of U.S. influence, primarily through the media, the values of Caribbean families are changing. For instance, the nuclear family is now considered the ideal (Dudley-Grant 2001). The Caribbean had been a community where extended family played a significant role. Extended family included not only immediate relatives (e.g., aunts, cousins), but also godparents and neighbors. Children were raised by communities, and children were disciplined by almost any adult member of the community. Children were also more respectful of adults calling them "auntie or uncle" instead of their name. Although this still happens to some degree, the nuclear family remains the site of primary caretaking.
Caribbean families are complex because of their multiple races, traditions, and structures. However, there is considerable unity among Caribbean people. Regardless of their ethnic backgrounds or unique family patterns, they identify themselves as people from the Caribbean and often see their roots as Caribbean. This is clearly seen in the development of practices which are uniquely Caribbean. For instance, in the area of music, the Caribbean is known for its distinctive taste in reggae ( Jamaica), calypso, and chutney (both from Trinidad). There is distinct Caribbean cuisine, including dishes such as ache and saltfish, or callaloo. The motto of the Jamaican people captures, to some extent, the spirit of all Caribbean people: "Out of many, one."
Read more: Caribbean Families - Conclusion - Gender, Family, Development, Family, Ethnic, Brown, Roopnarine, Ablex, and Greenwich http://family.jrank.org/pages/208/Caribbean-Families-Conclusion.html#ixzz101lCUBhZ
I think family is the primary social unit.Family represent people together by ties of marriage,blood or adoption ,thus representing a single household.Dain Morgan form:45
ReplyDeleteThanks for your input Dain. I am not too sure I want to agree with you that the family IS the primary social unit, or the primary institution that plays that role; at least not in the Caribbean society as it is today. I believe it SHOULD be the primary institution to play that role. But are they really doing that today? or is the socialization of its members left to the influence of external factors?
ReplyDeletewud u say the absence of workin mothers largely contribute to the increase of delinquents???
ReplyDelete@ Zandre Thanks for your input. Though we cannot attribute the emergence and increase of delinquents in the society to anyone factor I think the absence of anyone parent plays a role. In our Caribbean society there are specific roles assigned to each member of the family. If one member leaves, thus not being able to play his role, it pressures the remaining individual to play both roles, which creates even more challenges for the remaining family members, including the child. We can never ignore the importance of having both parents in the home, playing their respective roles.
ReplyDeleteyes i think that the absence of working mothers contribute to the increase of delinquents because the mother or guardian(female)is not there to teach some of the things the father sometime cant teach them .....demoy
ReplyDeleteDelinquency, is illegal, wrongful or antisocial behavior. In traditional families and homes, the father is the epitome of discipline, he is that corner stone, that superior order that teaches the child things like when and when not to speak. The absence of a working mother, as Demoy stated supposedly "contributes" to the increase of delinquents, but that's all it does: Contribute. To me, A working mother's absence just means, no food, no water but it doesn't mean no discipline. Delinquency is caused when the Father is absent, and therefore there is no superior order downing on the child. The mother is either too soft, or the child is too hard and the child slowly but surely, loses his/her place. All in all this backs up the main point of the matter; not so much the nuclear family being the ideal thing, but the decline in respect that is expected from children.
ReplyDeleteAlexander Taylor 4-1