Caribbean Families - Family Structure
single parent history development children african parents indian
The role of family members is different in Caribbean families. The father's principal role is economic provider and protector of the family. They are also involved in the discipline of the children, especially the males, and often have a distant relationship with their daughters. In general, they are not actively involved in day-to-day childcare, especially for young infants. This should not be construed as not caring for their children; they tend to feel that women are better with children at this stage. However, the late twentieth century saw some men becoming more involved in their children's lives, spending more time playing and talking with them (Roopnarine et al. 1996).
The mother's principal role is to take care of the children and be the primary nurturer in the family. They are also the primary caretakers of the home. Children are required to be obedient, respectful, and submissive to their parents. Girls are expected to help with domestic chores around the house, whereas boys are expected to do activities outside the house, such as taking care of the yard and running errands (Evans and Davies 1996).
There is much diversity in Caribbean families. They are, in some ways, a distinct group because of their multiethnic composition. Although the majority of the families have an African background, which sometimes causes people from the Caribbean to be identified as such, there are families from Indian, Chinese, Middle Eastern, and European backgrounds who identify themselves as Caribbean. The family structure of Caribbean families will be discussed within the context of three of the primary ethnic groups in the region (African, Indian, and Chinese). Although there are some similarities in family structures, each group has unique customs and traditions. Yogendra Malik (1971) noted that although East Indians and Africans have been living in close proximity for more than a century, each group possesses distinct values, institutions, authority patterns, kinship groups, and goals.
African-Caribbean families. Approximately 80 to 90 percent of families in the Caribbean are from an African background, and came as slaves to the region. Most of them settled in Jamaica, Barbados, and other Caribbean islands. Almost half of the population in both Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana is of African descent (Barrow 1996).
The African-Caribbean family has unique mating and childrearing patterns. Some of these patterns include absent fathers, grandmother-dominated households, frequently terminated common-law unions, and child-shifting, where children are sent to live with relatives because the parents have migrated or have begun a union with another spouse. Families tend to have a matrifocal or matricentric structure. Jacqueline Sharpe noted that, "To say that African Caribbean fathers and other men are fundamental to the socialization of children and to an understanding of African Caribbean family life is putting it mildly. That Caribbean men care for their family and provide for them economically has been demonstrated. . . . However, their emotional availability and their social ties to children are unclear" (Sharpe 1996, p. 261–262). A study conducted with students from the University of the West Indies suggested that Caribbean men have poor emotional relationships with their children. As a result, young boys may view family patterns such as matriarchal households, male absenteeism, and extramarital relationships as norms and continue them as adults (Sharpe 1996).
There are four basic types of family structures that affect childrearing, values, and lifestyles. Hyacinth Evans and Rose Davies (1996) describe these as (1) the marital union; (2) the common-law union (the parents live together, but are not legally married); (3) the visiting union (the mother still lives in the parents' home); and (4) the single parent family. Relationships often start as a visiting union, change to a common-law union, and culminate in a marital union. Approximately 30 to 50 percent of African-Caribbean families are headed by a female ( Jamaica: 33.8%; Barbados: 42.9%; Grenada: 45.3%) (Massiah 1982). It is estimated that 60 percent of children grow up in two-parent homes, and 30 percent live in households where they are raised exclusively by their mothers. Children born to couples in the later stages of family development usually have two parents in the home (Powell 1986).
Being a majority in the Caribbean, African-Caribbean families have significantly influenced the culture and political climate of the region. For instance, the celebration of Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago, the introduction of reggae and calypso, and the invention of the steel pan all originated in African-Caribbean families. In addition, most of the political leaders are from an African background. It is also evident that African-Caribbean families have shaped the history of the region in significant ways.
Indian-Caribbean families. The family structure of Indian-Caribbean families is in many ways similar to their Indian counterparts. In the traditional Indian-Caribbean family, the roles of family members are clearly delineated. The father is seen as the head of the family, the authority figure, and the primary breadwinner. He has the final authority in most matters. In general, males are valued more than females and are seen as the primary disciplinarians and decision makers (Seegobin 1999).
The mother has a nurturing role in the family, and is usually responsible for taking care of the children and household chores. In general, women are taught that their major role is to get married and contribute to their husband's family. From a traditional Hindu religious perspective, women are seen as subordinate and inferior to men (Seegobin 1999).
The principal role of children is to bring honor to their families by their achievements, good behavior, and contribution to the family's well-being. As such, characteristics such as obedience, conformity, generational interdependence, obligation, and shame are highly valued. Children are seen as parents' pride and the products of their hard work. One of the primary goals of marriage in Hindu families is to have children. It is assumed that children will be cared for by their parents as long as is necessary with the understanding that children will take care of parents when they grow old (Seegobin 1999).
Indian-Caribbean families usually share their resources and have mutual obligations to each other. It is not unusual to see several generations living in the same house or in houses built close to each other, even after marriage.
Marriage is an important event for girls, because they are groomed for it from childhood (Leo-Rhynie 1996). At marriage, the woman leaves her family and becomes a part of her husband's family and is expected to be submissive to her husband as well as his family. Men in these families have more privileges and respect, and women are expected to cater to their needs and desires.
However, there have been some significant changes in Indian-Caribbean families. More women are going to high school and university, and hold prestigious jobs (Sharpe 1996). Marriages are also becoming more egalitarian. Fewer of these families are headed by females when compared with African-Caribbean families (Guyana: 22.4%; Trinidad and Tobago: 27%), and when it does occur, these households are usually headed by widows and not single mothers (Massiah 1982).
Chinese-Caribbean families. The Chinese-Caribbean family may be called the "missing minority" because so little is written or researched about them. The Chinese were brought to the Caribbean as indentured laborers between 1853 and 1866. In the late nineteenth century and the first half of the twentieth century, they came as entrepreneurs and were involved in businesses such as laundries, restaurants, and supermarkets (Brereton 1993). Since that time, they have become involved in several sectors in the society, and some hold prestigious jobs in areas such as medicine, sales, management, and politics. The Chinese-Caribbean families try to keep much of the traditions and customs of China, especially in the preservation of their language. They often identify with the districts from which they came in China, and have close associations with people from these districts. Families from the districts usually get together for the Chinese New Year celebration.
Although they provide education for all their children, parents still tend to favor their sons, and push them to accomplish as much as they can. Family problems are usually kept private and only talked about within the family. As a result, these families may appear to be more stable. In general, they are less emotionally expressive, although they more easily show anger than love. Physical demonstrations of love in public are rare. Although many of them identify with religions such as Anglicanism and Catholicism, they continue their Buddhist traditions such as lighting incense, and some have Buddhist shrines at home. They also seem to trust herbal medicine more than traditional medicine. Even though Chinese-Caribbean families have lived in the Caribbean for many years, they are still perceived by some people as an exclusive group because of their lighter skin color.
User Comments
over 2 years ago
I agree that the article is very informative and helps me to understand the of those in my current household. The uncle who seems to continually blame my children for the things he is responsible for creating in addition to his comments degrading my son in which if I speak in his defense I am chastised and threaten to be kicked out. The various times that he acts as if he has his son on regular basis. In which he only has him for very limited times as if to portray a false picture to impress another. The reasoning for the daily destruction of the kitchen that I usually clean daily, cleaning all dishes, table and counter tops. The uncle who tells you he has the tools to get self medicated cause he know you do not. The criticizes you for what he initiated as if he said nothing to you. The recent gifts to my daughter to bribe her to stand against me. The gifts, an I-pod from my younger sister and her own smartphone from my other uncle. The specific times that they all make continual obvious efforts to do the things they know bother me. Then act as if they had done nothing after I have asked them not to do the same thing many times before.
In order to fairly evaluate anything one must first take all view points into consideration. One key focus and view point has not been taken into account. Mine has not be allowed directly by any means. I personally never make any choice without getting all the information and view points concerned. Consider yourself in my position, how would you feel if a major decision concerning your personal life was made without you being given the respect to speak for yourself and the opportunity to give your perspective. You would not feel that it was fair and right. I always try to be fair to everyone in anything that I am involved.
10 months ago
Good article
8 months ago
Gillian
You have noted that most of the families in te Caribbean (80-90%)are of African ethnicity and that they came as slaves to the region. This I believe is erroneous. It is better and more accurate to say that most of them are descendants of slaves that were brought to the region
over 1 year ago
Most of the information on Indian and Chinese families is extremely old and probably from the 1950's.
Total rubbish and condescending garbage by today's standards.
The restrained Chinese, the clannish Indian...they should make shrines for these ideas.
These Indian and Chinese Caribbean people are in a completely western British/European/American sphere of influence AND HAVE BEEN SO FOR OVER A 130 YEARS. THEY were NOT living in INDIA OR CHINA.
I guess womens rights NEVER HAPPENED happened for them. The 1960's revolution just passed them by.
Tell that to my mother who had me in the early 70's without being married married, who as I last checked was Indo Caribbean.
Tell that to her aunts, many of whom married black men.
Alot of information that you will find on the Caribbean translated to the web will be very old and extremely dated
almost 4 years ago
VERY VERY VERY GOOD INFORMATION. IT WAS GREAT TO KNOW THAT THE CARIBBEAN WAS REPRESENTED. THE INFORMATION IS VERY USEFUL N FERTILE(GOOD INFORMATION. WELL DONE!!!!!!!! MY SBA WILL BE GREAT!!!!!!!!
about 4 years ago
Very useful material for teaching.
about 4 years ago
wow, thanks alotfor the info. I think i'm 1 step closer to my CAPE sociology unit 1 preparation
over 4 years ago
i like this information it makes a lot of sense and i got a lot of informaTION OUT OF IT.
9 months ago
Lovely..I need to reference this. What date was this published?? Thank you
about 3 years ago
Married to a Dominican man 21 years. He has always had "outside" girlfriends, which is NOT alright by me (I'm an American). This article helped me to understand that his infidelity has nothing to do with me and everything to do with him and his "culture", which makes his activities further proof of his manhood. Beaten unmercifully by his mother and ONLY parent as a young child (called discipline by those who are unfortunately ignorant)his experience of being loved is very different than mine and, hence, his expressions of love come from a very physically and emotionally painful place. The cross-cultural dynamic is very interesting, needless to say. Thanks for the insights.
8 months ago
My Dearest in the Lord,
Calvary greetings to you in the name of our LORD Jesus Christ. I am Mrs. Anne Sedes from Kuwait. I was married to Mr. dan Sedes who worked with Kuwait embassy in Cote d'Ivoire for nine years before he died last year. We were married for eleven years without a child. My husband died after a brief illness that lasted for only four days. Before his death we were both born again Christians.
My dear, I know that you are surprise on receiving this letter, but as a child of the living God, you should know that our ways is not his ways. My Bible tells me that he works in many ways and all things works out for good to them that believed in Christ Jesus. In fact, It is also by the leading of the holy spirit of God that I choose you in obedience and love to fulfill the desire of my late husband that I supported to the glory of God. I want you to understand that this benevolence is in fulfillment of the desire and decision of my late husband which I am persuaded to actualize.
Since the death of my beloved husband, I decided not to remarry or get a child outside my matrimonial home which the Bible is against. When my late husband was alive he deposited the sum of US$3.5 million dollars ($3,500,000.00) in a bank here in Abidjan Cote d’Ivoire. Presently, this money is still in the bank.
Recently, my Doctor told me that I would not last for the period of nine months due to my cancer problem. The one that disturbs me most is my stroke sickness. Having known my condition I decided to donate this fund to a charity organization, church, Christian organization, or a true believer that will utilize this money the way I am going to instruct herein.
I want this fund to be used for orphanages, schools, churches, widows, and the less privilege people in propagating the word of God and to make sure that the house of God is maintained. The Bible made us to understand that "Blessed is the hand that gives". I took this decision because I don't have any child that will inherit this money and my husband relatives are unbelievers and I don't want my husband's efforts to be used by unbelievers.
I don't want a situation where this money will be used in an ungodly way. This is why I am taking this decision. I am not afraid of death hence I know where I am going. I know that I am going to be in the bosom of the LORD. Exodus 14 VS 14 says that "the lord will fight my case and I shall hold my peace". I don't need any telephonic communication in this regard because of my health condition and the presence of my late husband's relatives around me always trying to claim this money from me which my husband left for me. I don't want them to know about this development. With God all things are possible.
I will want you to handle this on your own since my health can not allow me as I have been placed on medical dialysis check up periodically. Even I am writing this letter with the assistance of a sister who uses to help me. I will want you to send me your full name and address so that I can swear to an affidavit on oath that will officially and legally approved you as the next of kin to this fund so that even if I am dead your claim to this fund in the bank will not be in doubt. I will be sending you the affidavit of oath and certificate of deposit of this fund immediately after the affidavit is ready.
As soon as I receive your reply i shall give you the contact of the bank in Abidjan Cote d'Ivoire where this money was deposited by my beloved husband. I will also issue you the affidavit of oath that will legally and officially approve you the next of kin and new beneficiary to the fund together with the certificate of deposit of this fund which my late husband used to pay the money in the bank. I want you to always pray for me because the LORD is my shepherd.
My happiness is that I lived a life of a worthy Christian. Whosoever that wants to serve the Lord must serve him in spirit and Truth.
I want you to send the following items to me for the procession of the affidavit:
(1) Your full name....
(2) Your address....
(3) Your Nationality....
(4) Your Age / Sex......
(5) Your Occupation.......
(6) Your marital status.....
(7) Your direct telephone number.....
I need these information’s very urgent. Any delay in your reply will give me room in sourcing another person for this same purpose.
I am hoping to receive your urgent reply.
Remain blessed in the Lord.
Yours in Christ
Mrs Anne Sedes.
over 1 year ago
Kay
I believe this article is very useful but I must comment that whilst it is true that some Caribbean males are "absent" from family lives, social factors such as colonialism, social class and race must be at the front of our minds in making this distinction. Examining individual household would give a better reflection but poorer families appears to be less united.
about 1 year ago
This is some lost Jamaican history that Caribbean people should know about. Not all Jamaicans are black people, Jamaica is a very mixed race society. Inspector Herbert T. Thomas was a white Jamaican man who's parents arrived in Jamaica in 1754 as Moravian missionaries. H.T.Thomas was sent to the UK to be educated, and was one of a few Jamaicans at that time to given this opportunity. H.T.Thomas gave his life to help Jamaica become a safe society by fighting against VooDo and Obeah that was brought from Africa. H.T.Thomas-1856 to 1930 went on to put Jamaica on the map by writing about it's birds, fauna & flora, and was the first man to cross the John Crow Mountains. He also wrote books: Untrodden Jamaica-1890 and The Story of a West Indian Policeman- 1927, and lectured in the UK on Jamaica. H.T.Thomas lost his four Jamaican born sons, who became the first Jamaican Officers in the British Army in WW-1. These sons were from his first marriage to a white Jamaican lady Gertrude. After her passing H.T.Thomas would cross the racial divide which existed at that time, by marring my dear black grand mother Leonora Thomas who gave him four daughters. H.T.Thomas and Leonora Thomas are buried in Kingston Jamaica. Today H.T.Thomas is forgotten by his country Jamaica even though they say "OUT of MANY ONE" is it really so ? Or is it
because he was a white Jamaican? All this history has been recorded and is in the UK.
about 1 year ago
Ac3`
Very interesting, informative and shocking to see that perception of gender roles is what is holding back the African race...
almost 2 years ago
My parents (Afro Caribbean) were married and I was a lot closer to my dad than my mom, and this is the case with most of my friends. My father is deceased but he had very strong relationship with both his sons and daughters prior to his death. When children are younger they often have closer relationship with their mothers, however as they becomes older, girls tends to get in conflict with their mothers; which brings them closer to their dad; while fathers have conflicts with their sons which make them closer to their mothers. This occurs because the mothers are the primary disciplinarian for older girls and fathers are the primary disciplinarian for older boys. Base on my analyst you can see the problem that occurs for both boys and girls when the fathers are missing. The family becomes off balance, which increase poverty and leads to less stable upbringing. It is important that we consider the role class plays in family and not use marginalize families to depict Caribbean families. Similarly, to marginalize Caucasian families in North American, Europe and the Caribbean the potential for broken families, abuse and single house hold parenting increase. On the hand, if we looked at working class, middle income and upper income Afro Caribbean families (yes we do have those) you will find a significant increase in marriages and active supportive fathers.
over 2 years ago
S. McDonald
This info is very useful and informative, however, caribbean fathers are usually very close to their daughters more so than the sons. They overprotect their daughters in terms of who they socialize with and are very concerned about their dating lives. The mention of caribbean fathers having distant relationships with their daughters is really not accurate information about most caribbean men.
over 2 years ago
The info is extremely useful since in T'dad we have all three groups mentioned co-existing. It came in handy in my prep for exams.
Thank you
over 3 years ago
This is so true my father is from dominica and my mother is from st. Thomas and they raised me and my brother right to become men I'm proud to be westindian one day I will raised a beautiful family of my own black american people need to know this.
over 3 years ago
this info help my son with his school spanish project
over 3 years ago
Just perfect for my paper, very informative and I would not search for another article
over 3 years ago
very useful for me.
over 3 years ago
very useful information on our caribbean people.we seem to be forgotten for the American way of life.Thank you
over 3 years ago
wow. this site helped me alot to do my social studies to pepare for CXC.
over 3 years ago
i was really impressed with this site very informative
over 3 years ago
this information is very informative it help me with an assignment.
almost 4 years ago
This is really useful but it would be great to have the references inparticular I would like to track down Sharpe 1996-thanks
about 4 years ago
thanks for the help it did me very well
about 4 years ago
thank u...it related to the region and that was appreciated.
about 4 years ago
Thanx fo rthe help.... very useful.
4 months ago
Carol Braccini
Being married to a Caribbean man for more than 20 years, has left me broken. He has no experience of being a husband or a father. He is a good neighbor, but a terrible "family" man. Doesn't even know his children's names and never did anything to help raise them - and considers himself a good father. Intimacy is a sport to him and used to incur notches on his bedpost only or earn the "respect" of other men. Love is reserved for pets and is rarely in evidence in inter-personal familial relationships. 1/3 of my life has been wasted on loving a West Indian man, who carries a Bible around while ignoring 99% of the teachings therein. He blames his lack of caring on "Slavery", which is a handly excuse for living a cruel, selfish life that requires no thinking - a sociopathic existence.
8 months ago
All the truth and facts are now reveled about a great Jamaican Police Inspector, who has been totally forgotten by his country. Check out the facts for yourself. Herbert Theodore Thomas-1856 to 1930. History
to be preserved for our students:visit
HTTP:users.pullman.com/mitchelm/h.t.
thomas%20book2.htm
8 months ago
My grandfather Herbert Theodore Thomas 1856 to 1930 was a white Jamaican born man in Colonial times who gave his life to make Jamaica a safer place.This man has been totally forgotten by his country Jamaica, even though he crossed the racial divide of his times by marring my black grandmother dear Leonora Thomas. Herbert was a Police Inspector,Author,Lecturer, Naturalist & Explorer. All his info can be found in;"A Struggle to Walk with Dignity-The TRUE story of a Jamaican-born Canadian" on the net. www.dundurn.com Thanks. Gerald.
8 months ago
i really like dis... its good stuff an am lookin forward to pass my exam with dis info.. thank u so much...
over 1 year ago
gfhhjk
its bored
about 4 years ago
i was really overwhelmed when i found this site... i have been doing research and everything was American.... Thank You!!
now i can apply it to my region.
24 days ago
very helpful.
6 months ago
Andy Burton
Black slave ancestry goes back so far that Black people of the Carribean can no longer speak of Africa. The only one that recognizes us as ex-slaves usually the one with the pen. Africa has become a foreign land, but we do welcome all comers to our lands. In the Carribean we try to get rid of all prejudices. Thank you very much. and move on to the future please. Enough with the slavery already.
6 months ago
jody
this is missing some details a lot of details this is not structured properly it is missing the most important details
6 months ago
jody
this is missing some details a lot of details this is not structured properly it is missing the most important details
6 months ago
im with ma family ma baby kalee
7 months ago
As an author I had to do extensive
research on my grandfather H.T.Thomas both in the UK and Jamaica. I was helped by some of the best Genealogist, like Mr.Alan Greveson in the UK and Madeleine E. Mitchell in the US. Now the facts on a forgotten
Jamaican man are available on this web
http://users.pullman.com/mitchelm/h.t.
thomasbook2.htm This is our history; worth reading. My thanks, Gerald.