Caribbean Fatherhood

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One contribution of Sociologist Christine Barrow can be found in her book named "Caribbean Childhoods 'Outside', 'Adopted' or 'Left Behind': 'Good Enough' Parenting and Moral Families". Christine Barrow a professor of social development focus is on childhood within families when one or both parents are absent. Barrow stated that studies of the experience of Caribbean childhoods have in the past been undertaken almost exclusively from the perspective of adults rather than that of the children themselves. Christine Barrow departs from that tradition by focusing on the views of children as participants. "The result is a fresh perspective on childhood and growing up that is different from those of parents/guardians and adults in general. Caribbean …show more content…

Fatherhood has been described as essentially biological and the reproduction of children as evidence of male sexual capacity. The father role is defined in terms of financial support, guidance and discipline" (Brown et al. 1997; Dann, 1987), she quoted. "A father’s presence at home demands silence and restraint, his ‘beatings' more severe than any from a mother" (Smith 1971, 134; Clarke 1970, 159). Today this same attitude stands, fathers do not play vital roles in the lives of their children; they sit back and allow the women to do all the work. Raymond Smith summed up this view as follows: ‘it is inconceivable that a child should be fatherless, no matter how vague the father-figure may be,' however: ‘Children derive practically nothing that is of importance from their fathers, they do not suffer if they never even see their father' (Smith 1971, 75, 147), This right here again is so true, the mothers tends to tell their children that they don't need their …show more content…

This is so based on a conversation I was engaged in while at the salon. Two young ladies in their twenties were both reliving their tender years, two different situations but one common agenda. From listening to both stories and reading what Christine Barrow found out during her research it is clear that these things are still present. Both young ladies shared the same feeling about their mothers. They despised their mother. Also, parents in today's Caribbean society leave their children behind to find work abroad, they often seek to improve the well-being of their family and provide better opportunities for their children over the long run. While migration may assist in achieving financial stability it is evident that the absence of a parent can be unfavorable to a child's social and psychological development. Many of these children are left in the care of their

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