“A reflection of how social problems impact on family within the Caribbean.”

The post-colonial period saw some distinct change in the structure of society where the matrifocal based homes were found and where men/ fathers were not at all significant in the rearing and caring of the child/children because the woman usually assumes the role as head of the home the man’s domestic routine becomes marginal. This is consistent with the conflict perspective where the family becomes an oppressive institution – a status quo of unequal power relations between the man and the woman and also of people of different age groups. It also defines poverty rates between racial and ethnic groups upholding gender inequality within the family.

The structural functionalist is definitely appalled by this as his theory of the regulated family with proper sexual behaviour, protection of members, personality development and placement of members proposes to offer society control and stability.[1] This theory provided integration and a smooth working society. This explains the reality of economic stability and a balanced social structure which transcends the fragmented family structures within the society.[2] There is a fierce argument to show that structural functionalism has loop holes because the reality of the effects of colonialism has created other real situations which show that the family has gone through and is still experiencing injustices as cited before. There is a real world of divorce, separation, remarriage and battered children. Social problems are real within the context of the family and we definitely cannot support the functionalist theories. We need to present solutions to alleviate the pressures created and to sociologically discuss how to preserve the unit.[3]

Within the Caribbean region there are several social problems that affect the family and threaten its existence. In Trinidad and Tobago we are faced with daily situations which expose the absence of structures and policies that are necessary to provide stability and development within our communities and society. There is also need for a Caribbean intervention to establish support for addressing the problems as a region.

The economic situation of the region drove a wedge through the seas as we continue to face the weaknesses that were born out of the colonial period. Industrialization came next as a means to further enslave the populace even though it seemed to provide new skills, opportunities for education and economic stability. In essence, it did provide labour and wages but could not remove the family from the social structures that impounded them financially and socially. There were no efficient distribution of goods and services, no available social services and affordable health services. Poverty was real.

This is just one of the problems that I would address in more detail but there are several others that are associated with the family in this contemporary period. There are others for example crime, school violence, deviance (pornography), street children, school violence and homelessness. I am going to address some of these in the future as I endeavour to provide means of interventions and resolve for these social issues.

Looking at poverty, let us first consider the education system. We have already cited that industrialization sought to provide a level of education to empower the people with the intent to maximize the use of the machinery. However this objective encountered several societal problems which bore unplanned results. There was marginalization and the households never had enough to facilitate their needs. The children suffered because they could not afford to purchase the basic school needs. In Trinidad and Tobago and some of the other Caribbean islands children should be provided with not just book grants but health services and nutrition.

 While there has been some effort to ensure that some of these needs are met within the school via the school-feeding program and the book grant and loan system, there should be a reintroduction of medical provision (including dental services) for the nation’s children. The re-introduction of the vaccination programs should also be considered. Such programs were in existence two decades ago. In my opinion, the health program needs urgent attention so as to effectively meet the needs of the populace, in particular those who are unable to access private health care services, and to whom the public health care provisions are daunting in terms of service quality and accessibility. I would like to note here that by no means am I advocating a ‘hand-me-down’ state approach that is focused on handouts rather than empowering of the people. However, the fact remains that given the present socio-economic conditions of the nation, with increasing food prices, the impact of structural adjustment, globalization, etcetera, we need to cater for those who are in need, in particular the children, our future, who may not have access to resources that ensure healthy living at its most basic.

The Caribbean nations all suffered when their governments had to service their needs through the International Monetary Fund. This impacted negatively and there were several institutions that had to be defined in terms of policy so that the funds could be released. It developed industrialization by invitation which stifled the local production market. It further created an influx of foreign investors which redefined the entire technological world for what is called ‘small world’. Globalization crushes rather than empower; modernization brings societal change that is partially facilitated by the education process. Men and women and children are not specifically educated to meet these needs and so there is the importing of top management personnel who then oppresses the masses –the families.

---

[1] Dolch, Norman and Deutchmann, L – Social Problems: a Case Study Approach (2001)

[2] Barrow, Christine – Families in Caribbean: Themes and Perspectives (1996)

[3] Smith, Raymond T. – The Negro family in British Guiana (1971)