THE

INDIVIDUAL &
THE FAMILY
 THE CONCEPT OF FAMILY

– FAMILY: A group of people related by blood, marriage or adoption and who

share a common household or residence and are dependent on one another.
– HOUSEHOLD: A group of people sharing a home or living space who aggregate
or share their income.
– KINSHIP: Family relationships.
– SIBLING: A brother or sister.
– FAMILY TREE: A diagram used to show the relationships among family members.
– MATRILINEAL: Line of descent traced through the female line.
– PATRILINEAL: Line of descent traced through the male line.
– BILINEAL: Line of descent traced through both lines.
 FAMILY TREE
A family tree is a
diagram used to show
the relationships among
family members. Older
people are shown at the
top and younger people
at the bottom. Ancestry
can be determined
because people of the
same generation are
shown on the same
horizontal line.
HOMEWORK

– Construct your own family tree including

both sides of your families. Be creative and
innovative.
 FAMILY TYPES

– EXTENDED FAMILY: A family composed of more than two generations of a

family, or two generations but including aunts, uncles or cousins, living together
under the same roof.
– NUCLEAR FAMILY: A family including both parents and their child or children.
– SINGLE-PARENT FAMILY: A family unit including only one parent and his/her
child/children.
– RECONSTITUTED/RECONSTRUCTED FAMILY: A family unit made up of two adults
and their children from previous relationships.
– JOINT FAMILY HOUSEHOLD: A type of extended family in which married children
bring their families to live together with their parents.
– PATRIARCHAL FAMILY: Family arrangement in which authority
lies with the father.
– MATRIARCHAL FAMILY: Family arrangement in which
authority lies with the mother.
– EQUALITARIAN FAMILY: A family arrangement in which
authority is shared between mother and father.
– MATRIFOCAL FAMILY: A family unit which is headed by a
mother and lacks a father permanently or for an extended
period of time.
– PATRIFOCAL FAMILY: A family unit which is headed by a father
and lacks a mother permanently or for an extended period of
time.
– BREADWINNER: The member(s) of the family who provides
 ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES OF FAMILY
TYPES
ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
EXTENDED FAMILY More members are able to contribute If there is not enough money earned among
financially. the adults present, the family may have
financial problems.
More supervision at home for the children.
Lines of authority can become blurred.

SINGLE-PARENT FAMILY Children have less supervision. May have problems with supervision of
children.
Smaller family to support.
May have difficulty relying on one source of
income.

NUCLEAR FAMILY The child has both male and female role Although adults of both sexes may be
models. present, this does not necessarily mean they
play a meaningful role in the child’s life.
 TYPES OF UNION

– LEGAL MARRIAGE: A legally recognized relationship

between an adult male and female that carries certain
rights and obligations.
– COMMON-LAW/CONSENUAL UNION: Partners live
together by mutual agreement without being legally
married.
– VISITING RELATIONSHIP: This is characterized by partners
living in separate locations but operating as a family.
 TYPES OF LEGAL
ALTERNATIVES
– DIVORCE: The formal legal dissolution of a legally constituted marriage.
– LEGAL SEPARATION: The legal procedure by which a married couple remains
legally married while living apart. They formalize an arrangement through the
law courts whereby they outline their rights and responsibilities during the
period.
– Annulment: The declaration by the law court that a marriage is null and void, as
if it never happened in the first place.
– Inheritance: The money or property that passes upon the death of an individual
to another. This may be done through a will, by operation of the law.
FUNCTIONS OF THE FAMILY

PROCREATION SOCIALIZATION

SATISFACTION OF SATISFACTION OF
ECONOMIC EMOTIONAL
NEEDS NEEDS
– FERTILITY: The capability to reproduce or have children
– PROCREATION: This means reproduction. Without procreation there
would be no new members of the human race. Families provide a unit
for the introduction of new members. In the modern-day Caribbean
there are fertility clinics where couples who are having fertility
problems can go for help. Test-tube babies and surrogate mothers are
becoming a part of Caribbean life.
– SOCIALIZATION: The family is charged with preparing children to live as
social beings within society. The family does this by teaching them the
values and attitudes which form the accepted behavior of the society
and by sanctioning appropriate behavior. They also teach children
their roles and act as role models for them. Teaching them basic skills
such as personal grooming and how to undertake responsibilities also
forms part of the socialization process.
– SATISFACTION OF ECONOMIC NEEDS: The family has a
responsibility to provide for the basic economic needs of its
members. These include food, clothing and shelter. Some families
engage in business endeavors while the adults in other families go
out to work to take care of their members. In some cases even
very young members of the family take part in economic activities,
especially when there is a family business.
– SATISFACTION OF EMOTIONAL NEEDS: Emotional support helps
members of the family to maintain a sense of stability as they
encounter crises in their lives. The comfort of knowing the family
is there to provide support is often enough to enable family
members to overcome hurdles.
MASLOW’S HIERARCHY OF NEEDS
SELF
ACTUALIZATION
The need for development
And creativity.

EGO
The need for self-esteem, power,
Recognition and prestige.

SOCIAL
The need for being loved, belonging and inclusion.

SECURITY
The need for safety, shelter and stability.

PHYSICAL
The need for air, water, food, exercise, rest, freedom
from diseases & disabilities.
FORMING FAMILIES

The success of the family planning movement in the Caribbean has

led to a greater level of decision making when it come to when
people have children and how many children they have. There are
still many teenagers, however, who find themselves becoming
parents long before they are ready. If a family is to be one which
successfully caters to the basic needs of its members, some planning
and preparation is required. Couples who have difficulty conceiving a
child naturally, can adopt or have a surrogate mother.
– COURTSHIP: The period before engagement or
marriage when a couple gets to know each other
better.
– ADOPTION: The formal legal procedure of taking
someone else’s child as your own.
FACTORS THE ASSIST IN
PREPARATION FOR PARENTHOOD
– FAMILY PLANNING: The act of deliberately choosing how
many and at what intervals to have children and the use
of birth control methods such as condoms to implement
those choices.
– CONTRACEPTIVE: A device used to prevent fertilization of
the egg in the female and therefore pregnancy.
Here are some of the factors which should be taken care of first
when it comes to preparing for parenthood:
 Education – this allows for employment
 Employment – parents must provide for the family’s financial
needs
 Housing – prospective parents should secure an adequate,
comfortable place to live.
 Emotional maturity – parents are expected to put the needs of
their child above their own on a daily basis.
 A peaceful and loving relationship – a loving and stable
relationship is the ideal circumstance into which to introduce a
child.
 TYPE OF CONTRACEPTIVE EXAMPLES
STERILIZATION Tubal ligation
Vasectomy
BARRIER METHOD Condom
Female condom
Diaphragm
Sponge
Cervical cap
INTRAUTERINE METHODS Copper T
Hormonal IUD
HORMONAL METHODS The pill
Implant
Ring
Patch
Injection
NATURAL METHODS Basal body temperature (BBT)
Sympto-thermal
Billing ovulation
‘Rhythm’
HOMEWORK

– In groups research the types of contraceptives and

present your findings.
CHARACTERISTICS OF
EFFECTIVE PARENTS
– ABUSE: To ill-treat a person in someway – verbally, physically or
sexually.
– NEGLECT: A form of abuse involving inadequate care and attention
paid to someone or something.
– INCEST: Sexual relations between close family members.
– GENERATION GAP: The issues which occurs between people of
different generations because of their varying attitudes, beliefs
and behaviors. This is very common between parents and children.
 Socialization
Skills
Problem Money
Solving Management
Skills Skills

PARENTING
SKILLS

Knowledge of
Communication Good
Skills nutrition

Disciplinary
Skills
Some important skills every parent should possess are listed below:
 Problem-solving skills: parents are constantly called upon to lead their
families, as a result they must be good at weighing the many options
presented to them and deciding which one is best for their family.
 Communications skills: parents must therefore anticipate their needs
and pay attention to body language to figure out their moods or
problems. Good communication is necessary to facilitate all four
functions of the family and prevent conflicts.
 Socialization skills: parents must be clear in telling children what is
required of them in terms of behavior. Demonstrating or modelling the
behavior is also crucial, so that the child will recognize its importance.
A child who is not adequately socialized will find it difficult to function
in society.
 Disciplinary skills: there are many methods of discipline which parents can use
to teach and guide their children. Knowledge of these methods and the ability
to successfully choose the appropriate method is central to a parent being a
successful disciplinarian. Parents should also reward children for good behavior
or their success.
 Knowledge of good nutrition: parents, as the decision makers in their families,
must make good choices to contribute to the lifelong health of themselves and
their children. Fast food is popular among most children and is becoming more
acceptable as an option in most households. Parents should be educated on the
requirements of a balanced diet; food preparation skills are also important.
 Money-management skills: most families rely on money earned as
entrepreneurs, business owners or employees to provide for the economic
needs of their families. Earning money and budgeting are two different skills.
Parents should be able to prioritize and take care of needs first and wants
second, when spending their money.
FORMS OF MARRIAGE

– MONOGAMY: The practice of being married to only one husband or wife.

– POLYGAMY: The practice of having more than one husband or wife at the same
time, where this is legal.
– POLYANDRY: The practice of having more than one husband at the same time,
where this is legal.
– POLYGYNY: The practice of having more than one wife at the same time, where
this is legal.
– BIGAMY: The criminal offence of marrying a person while still legally married to
another.
THE LAW AND THE FAMILY

– MAINTENANCE: A legal arrangement whereby, upon divorce, either party is

made to contribute financially to the welfare of a former spouse and/or any
children of the family.
– DOMESTIC VIOLENCE: Any abusive, violent, coercive, forceful or threatening
act or word inflicted by one member of a family or household on another.
– INHERITANCE: Property or other assets passed at the owner’s death to
those entitled to receive them, either by a will or by the laws governing
inheritance.
– DIVORCE: The formal legal dissolution of a legally constituted marriage.
ROLES IN THE CARIBBEAN
FAMILY
– ROLE: The behavior expected of someone because of
their particular social position.
– STATUS: The social position held by an individual in a
particular situation.
FACTORS AFFECTING FAMILY
MEMBERS
INTERNAL FACTORS EXTERNAL FACTORS
 Poor communications skills  Unemployment or financial
 Poor money management skills problems
 Different views about raising children  Interference by outside
 Different expectations individuals, family or friends
 Excessive demands on children  Excessive demands from work,
recreational or volunteer
 Irresponsible behavior
organizations
 Prolonged illnesses and other
physical or mental health issues
CHANGING ROLES IN THE
CARIBBEAN FAMILY
TRADITIONAL ROLES ASSIGNED TRADITIONAL ROLES ASSIGNED
TO MEN TO WOMEN
 Head of the household  Counsellor

 Breadwinner  Attending to the religious needs of

the family
 Disciplinarian
 Domestic duties
 Protector
 Socializing agent
 Final decision maker
 Child rearing
 Supplement family income
CAUSES OF CHANGING ROLES

– RIGHTS: Those things to which all human beings are

entitled, equally and without prejudice, e.g. freedom and
justice
– INDUSTRIALIZATION: The introduction of manufacturing
and mechanization on a large scale into a society.
There are several reasons why there has been a change in the roles
performed by Caribbean men and women within families. Below is a
list of reasons:
 Greater recognition
 Increased educational opportunities for women
 Increased number of women in the workplace
 Increased industrialization
 Increased standard of living
 The desire for a greater number of material possessions
 Increased in leisure-time activities
 Later retirement age
EFFECT OF CHANGING ROLES
ON CARIBBEAN SOCIETY
– ROLE CONFLICT: A situation in which a person is expected to
play two roles which are not consistent with each other.
– IDENTITY CRISIS: A crisis in one’s sense of self.
– DOUBLE BURDEN: The term used to describe the workload
of many adults, mostly women, who do full-time work but
still assume responsibility for unpaid domestic duties.
POSITIVE EFFECTS OF
CHANGING ROLES
The positive effects of changing roles include a greater level of equality between
men and women. There is an increasing number of women who are now sole
breadwinners or share financial responsibility within the home. Home are
therefore more likely to be egalitarian, where authority is shared between mother
and father, instead of patriarchal, where the male is the sole authority figure. The
result can be greater self-esteem, confidence and independence among women, as
they explore new avenues and take on positions of power and authority.
Caribbean children have also been required to become more independent and self-
reliant from an earlier age. This may result in better preparation for adult life,
making them better equipped for the global market place.
 NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF
CHANGING ROLES
 Parents, and in many instances, grandparents no longer focus on the home. Many of our children
are latch-key children, who let themselves into the house in the evening and are left unsupervised,
in some cases for long periods, until their parent or guardian returns home form work.
 The increase in recreational activities available has led to members of the family spending more
and more time away from home. Less contact time means less time to pass on culture and
traditions to children.
 The fact the families are spending less time together and relying more on external agencies to
assist in child care and supervision has led to poor transfer of culture.
 Sociologists argue that greater involvement in the workplace has resulted in a ‘double burden’ for
women
CHANGING ROLES AND MALE
MARGINALIZATION
– SEX: The division of human beings into male and female based on secondary
sexual characteristics.
– GENDER: The different characteristics, roles and behaviors a culture or society
assigns to males and females.
Sex refers to a person’s physical make-up: at birth the doctor declares the baby to
be either male or female. Gender, however, refers to the role we assume, how we
behave and whether it is considered male or female behavior in our society. This
results in the term ‘gender roles’ and the belief that certain roles belong to males
and others to females.
WHAT ARE SOCIAL ISSUES AND
PROBLEMS
– SOCIAL ISSUE: These are questions which are discussed within a society.
– SOCIAL PROBLEMS: A term used to describe many undesirable conditions and
behaviors in society. These behaviors lead to social disorganization and
therefore create a need for change by deliberate social action on the part of the
government or other groups in the society.
– SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS (STIs): These infections are passed from
one person to another through sexual intercourse. It may also be passed
through the use of infected needles, contact with contaminated blood, or from
infected mother to child during pregnancy or childbirth.
– HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS (HIV): HIV disable the immune system and
if untreated, can lead to AIDS.
– ACQUIRED IMMUNE DEFICIENCY SYNDROM (AIDS): A disease of the immune
system caused by the HIV virus. This disease leaves the body susceptible to
infection and can be fatal. It treated it can revert to HIV, which can be managed
like other chronic illnesses.
Social problems are those circumstances within a society which cause dysfunction, create difficulties or
stop members of the society from enjoying full happiness and harmony with each other. Some of these
problems are listed below:
 Teenage pregnancy
 Street children
 Substance abuse
 Juvenile delinquency
 Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
 Child abuse
 Poverty
 Desertion
 Suicide
 Incest
 Domestic violence
 Trafficking in people
 Inadequate care and concern of the aged and those with special needs
HOMEWORK
Complete the table below:
DISEASE SYMPTOMS DISEASE OUTCOME TREATMENT
Genital herpes
Chlamydia
Gonorrhea
Syphilis
HIV/AIDS
ABUSE

This is the improper, illegal or harmful use of a substance.

The physical, sexual or psychological maltreatment of a
person.
 SUBSTANCE ABUSE

The use of substances, whether legal or illegal, to the detriment of the self or
others around you, e.g. illegal drugs, alcohol, prescription drugs.

LEGAL DRUGS ILLEGAL DRUGS

Alcohol Marijuana
Tobacco Cocaine; crack-cocaine
Prescription medication Heroin
Performance-enhancing drugs Hallucinogens e.g. LSD
Club drugs e.g. ecstasy
 Health
Affected
Unprotected
Indiscipline
sex
at work

SUBSTANCE
ABUSE

Poor temper Drinking and

at home driving
Spending
large sums of
money on
habit
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

This is any abusive, violent, coercive, forceful or threatening act or word inflicted by one
member of a family or household on another.
Domestic violence is violence in the home, whether it is directed at male or female members
of the family. This takes many forms, including physical, emotional and sexual abuse. There
are many reasons why people resort to violence in the home. These may include:
 Drug use and abuse
 Financial stress
 Poor coping skills
 Mental illness
 Poor communication skills
 Learnt behaviors
CHILD ABUSE

The maltreatment or injury of a child by an adult or adults. Such

abuse can be physical, emotional, sexual or a combination of all
three. Child abuse takes many forms, including the following:
 Physical abuse
 Sexual abuse
 Verbal abuse
 Neglect
OTHER SOCIAL PROBLEMS

– STREET CHILDREN: Children who have been abandoned or have run

away from home and low live on the streets and fend for themselves.
– ALTERNATIVE LIFESTYLES: Choosing to live in a way which is different
from the rest of the society, for example, living in a commune or
cooperative settlement, or same-sex couples forming families.
– HUMAN TRAFFICKING: The recruitment and transportation of people
by means of threats, the use of force, coercion, or deception, for the
purpose of exploitation; the control and movement of human beings
for purposes of profit and exploitation.
– TEENAGE PREGNANCY: Pregnancy during a girl’s teen years.
Usually the pregnancy is unplanned and the girl has not completed
her secondary school education, nor is she financially
independent.
– POVERTY – Not having enough money to take care of the basic
needs of food, clothing and shelter; the state of being poor.
– SUICIDE: To end one’s own life.
– JUVENILE DELINQUENCY: The participation in illegal acts by a
minor; for example, drug use, violence or theft.
– DESERTION: Abandoning a duty or responsibility, such as, that of
parent or spouse.
CONCERNED FOR THE AGED
AND DISABLED
Every society has dependent members who should ne cared for by those of us who are able
bodied. Just like children, the disabled and the elderly may require some form of assistance at
one point or another. More and more Caribbean countries are becoming ageing populations.
Being in a position of dependence makes these members of our society more susceptible to
abuse and ill-treatment. Some countries which must be looked at for the elderly include:
 Health care
 Supervision and care
 Housing
 Financial assistance
 Protection from fraud
 Protection from crime and abuse
THE EFFECTS OF SOCIAL
PROBLEMS
Social problems have many effects. These can be considered
from three perspectives: effects on the individual, on the
family and on society. Some of the effects of a problem occur
on all three levels. For example, an alcoholic may face
personal financial problems which affect his/her family
alcoholism can also affect a country’s economy because
addiction can reduce a person’s productivity in the
workplace.
EFFECTS ON THE INDIVIDUAL EFFECTS ON THE FAMILY EFFECTS ON SOCIETY
Social problems may affect the Family members maybe unhappy A society which experiences
person’s health, and can lead to because of social problems excessive amounts of some social
suffering and even death; for exhibited by members. This could problems can be unsettled or
example, domestic violence may lead to the breaking up of the unstable, leading to the population
lead to one partner murdering family, by separation, divorce, or the being discontented and unhappy.
another after many violent ejection of one or more members
encounters from the family home.
People faced with social problems Treating or dealing with social
may find it difficult to succeed at problems with be an expense the
school or work. The ability to family cannot affords and could not
concentrate, to complete tasks, and even lead to it being unable to
to work with others are all provide for the basic needs of its
important skills for any student or members.
employee but they could all be
affected by social problems.

Relations with other people may be

affected. Social problems can lead to
the affected member being
abandoned by the family, who
cannot cope.
STRATEGIES FOR DEALING
WITH SOCIAL PROBLEMS
 EDUCATION
 INDIVIDUAL AND COMMUNITY EFFORTS
 PASSING LAWS AND RULES
 MONEY
CARIBBEAN SOCIETY AND
CULTURE
– CULTURE: Culture is all the customs, ideas, behaviors and
beliefs of a society that have been passed on from
generation to generation.
 CULTURE
All ah dis talk bout culture
So now you see
Driving me mad Like Sanford and Mash
What I really mean
Ah taking it hard We got to state dem in their face
DIS IS MY TRUE CULTURE IN DE
All ah dis talk bout culture And show dem we cultural base
CARIBBEAN
Driving me mad
So now you see
Ah taking it hard I mean rock stones and sticks fuh wickets
What I really mean
Ah mean, how dem expect DAT IS MY CULTURE
DIS IS MY TRUE CULTURE IN DE
To have culture plan And marble cricket
CARIBBEAN
For Caribbean man DAT IS MY CULTURE
From North American Flying fish floating pun cuckoo
All uh de talk bout culture
We need to start her at home DAT IS MY CULTURE
Driving me mad
Then we will no longer roam Fry bake and rice and stew
Ah taking it harrd
All uh de talk bout culture DAT IS MY CULTURE
I mean
Driving me mad
Leaving de chile wid granny So now you see
As taking it harrd
DAT IS MY CULTURE What I really mean
Show me some castle in my skin
Going court fuh de chile money DIS IS MY TRUE CULTURE IN DE CARIBBEAN
By George Lamming
DAT IS MY CULTURE So now you see
For my viewing
Mix match in de latest fashion What I really mean
Or something hot
DAT IS MY CULTURE DIS IS MY TRUE CULTURE IN DE CARIBBEAN
By Derek Walcott
And love-making wid a passion
Instead of dat trash
DAT IS MY CULTURE
GROUP ORIGIN SYSTEM OF LABOR INFLUENCES
Amerindian Indigenous to the Communal society; Family – communal living and ownership
Craft – basket weaving and ceramic pottery
Caribbean Cooperative communities Food – use of cassava, pepperpot, barbeque
European England, Spain, Colonized the Caribbean in Architecture – great houses, plantations
Language – English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch
France, The 17th century and brought Religion – Christianity (Roman Catholic and Anglican church)
Netherlands, Other Europeans as Sports – cricket
Government – parliament (Westminster model) and legal system
Portugal Indentured servants Society – family structures, clothing, courtship and marriage customs
Education – school systems and structure
African West Africa Forced migration: worked as Traditional religions – Voudun, Orisha, Spiritual Baptist
Music – use of the drum, dancing, tuk band; this influences most Caribbean
Slaves in the Caribbean from musical forms – calypso, reggae, cadence, zou
the Language – story telling, Anancy stories
Food – cou cou, use of ground provisions
17th century until Family patterns – respect for elders, community living, central role of women
Emancipation Games – warn, stick-licking
Language – dialects and Creole have many grammatical structures and
In 1834 intonations of African languages

Asian India Came as indentured workers Religion – Hinduism and Islam

Festivals – Hosei, Divali, Eid-ul-Fitr
From 1838 to 1917; recent Food – roti, curry
China migrants since 1950s Music – tassa drum, chutney
Language – Hindi, Urdu

Came as indentured workers Food – chicken-in-the-rough, jerk chow mein

Rice production
in the 1850s; recent migrants
since 1980s
CULTURE AND CHANGE

– CULTURAL DIVERSITY: The variation in cultural practices

found within a specific place (the world, a region, or
country). This extends to all aspects of life, including social
structures.
Caribbean culture is an amalgam or combined and modified
form of the cultures of all the groups which make up the
region. The many cultures which have met here have
produced many new elements.
 AMERINDIAN AFRICANS ASIAN INDIAN
There is a large, active Africans came with little or Some aspects of traditional Indian family patterns and
Amerindian population in no material culture but Asian family patterns were religious practices are
Guyana and Belize; brought their memories and transferred to the intricately intertwined,
however, the Amerindians traditions. These memories Caribbean wholesale, as whether Hindu or Muslim.
have had little influence in and traditions were infused indentured immigrants Indian food, dance, music
Caribbean islands due to into the practices they were from India and China and culture are integral to
their genocide by the expected to adopt by their brought their traditions Indian family life. Indian
Europeans – the Carib enslavers. A cruel twist to intact. Some Indian and culture has also become a
reserve of Dominica and the story of African culture Chinese families can trace vibrant part of the culture
‘Black Caribs’ of St. Vincent is the development of a their ancestry back to their of those countries of the
and the Grenadines being new culture on the village of origin. Cultural region where there is a high
notable exceptions. There plantations, forced on them practices have changed concentration of Indo-
has been greater cultural by their enslavers over the years, however, as Caribbean people.
retention in Guyana and is the case for all groups.
Suriname despite the fact
that Europeans colonized
the region.