Family Structures Family Structures in the Caribbeanin the Caribbean

African-Caribbean African-Caribbean FamiliesFamilies Approximately 80 to 90 percent of families in the Approximately 80 to 90 percent of families in the

Caribbean are from an African backgroundCaribbean are from an African background (greatest (greatest effect on culture)effect on culture)

Absent fathersAbsent fathers Grandmother-dominated householdsGrandmother-dominated households Marriage and DivorceMarriage and Divorce

Child-shifting,Child-shifting, where children are sent to live with relatives where children are sent to live with relatives because the parents have migrated or have started a family with because the parents have migrated or have started a family with another spouseanother spouse

Four kinds of relationships within familyFour kinds of relationships within family marital unionmarital union common-law unioncommon-law union (the parents live together, but are not legally (the parents live together, but are not legally

married)married) visiting unionvisiting union (the mother still lives in the parents' home) (the mother still lives in the parents' home) the single parent familythe single parent family (mother raises children alone) (mother raises children alone)

Chinese-Caribbean Chinese-Caribbean FamiliesFamilies Try to keep much of the traditions and customs of ChinaTry to keep much of the traditions and customs of China

Especially try to preserve their languageEspecially try to preserve their language They often identify with the areas in China from which they came, and keep They often identify with the areas in China from which they came, and keep

close associations with people from areasclose associations with people from areas Provide education for all their children, but sons are still favored Provide education for all their children, but sons are still favored PrivacyPrivacy

Family problems usually kept private and only talked about within the Family problems usually kept private and only talked about within the family/household. Not a lot of emotional expression, public demonstrations family/household. Not a lot of emotional expression, public demonstrations of love are rareof love are rare

Chinese families appear more stable. Chinese families appear more stable. Stay true to Chinese family structure and tradition of rather introverted family lifeStay true to Chinese family structure and tradition of rather introverted family life Chinese families will sometimes migrate to areas where other Chinese families Chinese families will sometimes migrate to areas where other Chinese families

are, isolated from othersare, isolated from others Family traditionsFamily traditions

Many families may change religions, they still practice Buddhist traditions Many families may change religions, they still practice Buddhist traditions like lighting incense and, sometimes, keep Buddhist shrines in the home. like lighting incense and, sometimes, keep Buddhist shrines in the home.

Many use/trust herbal medicine as opposed to modern. Many use/trust herbal medicine as opposed to modern. Are still often perceived by many as higher class families because of Are still often perceived by many as higher class families because of

their lighter skin colortheir lighter skin color

Indian-Caribbean Indian-Caribbean FamiliesFamilies Roles of Family MembersRoles of Family Members

Father – head of family, authority figure, provider. Final disiplianarian and Father – head of family, authority figure, provider. Final disiplianarian and decisionmaker.decisionmaker.

Mother – caretaker, household chores. Major role of women is to get Mother – caretaker, household chores. Major role of women is to get married and contribute to the family. married and contribute to the family.

Women are seen as inferior to men (traditional Hindu perspective)Women are seen as inferior to men (traditional Hindu perspective) Children - bring honor to their families through achievements and good Children - bring honor to their families through achievements and good

behavior behavior Valued traits in chilren - conformity, generational interdependence, obligation, Valued traits in chilren - conformity, generational interdependence, obligation,

and shame and shame Children are seen as products of their parents hard work. One of the primary Children are seen as products of their parents hard work. One of the primary

goals of marriage in Hindu families is to have children. goals of marriage in Hindu families is to have children. Children must take care of their parents when they grow old (traditional Indian Children must take care of their parents when they grow old (traditional Indian

way)way) Girls groomed for marriage from childhoodGirls groomed for marriage from childhood

Several generations live in same houseSeveral generations live in same house Role of women starting to improveRole of women starting to improve

More women are going to high school and universities, and hold More women are going to high school and universities, and hold prestigious jobs prestigious jobs