The Impact Of Societal Institutions On Caribbean People Flashcards
What is socialisation?
This is the process through which the cherished ideas and beliefs of one generation become the cherished ideas of the next
How has colonialism influenced the social institution of the family?
Africans and Indians brought the the idea of an extended family to the Caribbean. Smaller groups in the Caribbean like the Chinese and Syrians etc. have their own forms of organising family. However, Europeans brought the dominant idea of the nuclear family where two parents who were legally married take care of their children and live together. This idea became the mainstream due to colonialism but other forms of family are still widely practiced in the Caribbean.
Describe the workings of a matrifocal family.
A matrifocal family is one where the mother is the focus of the family. This can occur in common law families, single parent families or even nuclear families.
In a matrifocal family, the mother is the person who organises the family’s affairs. She is the main cook, the housekeeper and may also work outside of the home. Her income goes towards buying food, school supplies for her children and household items.
What does matriarchal mean?
This means ‘rule of the mother’. It occurs when Women are the heads of their families and descent and inheritance are reckoned in the female line.
Explain how colonialism led Caribbean people to believe that the nuclear family is the ideal form of family
During colonial rule, ethnocentric scholars interpreted the diversity of Caribbean family forms as ‘inferior’. They were referred to as disorganised and unstable unions. Colonial authorities believed that enforcing marriage among Caribbean family forms would improve them.
Today, the bias towards the nuclear family is rooted in the negative portrayal of Caribbean families. Accepting the nuclear family as the norm meant also accepting the gender stereotypes that came with it. For example, men are the breadwinners and authority figures and women are the homemakers and caretakers.
How do caribbean families highlight the importance of kin?
Godparents who are chosen by a child’s parents to provide extra support for the child
Extended family taking care of children when parents are unable to. (Called child shifting)
Family coming together to help care for an elderly relative.
Family land where no one member of the family can claim the land but instead the land is used by various members according to their needs
This concept is odd to Europeans who view family as just their household.
Family helping
What are the different theories about the Caribbean family life?
African retentions- matrifocal households are typical of west africa. This view acknowledges that slavery must have impacted the traditional African family forms in some way.
Slavery- the unions and practices that slaves were forced to adapt has influenced the Caribbean family forms of today. Marriage was rare, cohabitation was irregular and life was unpredictable which made it difficult for stable families to develop
Economic situation- research of scholars showed that women of poor economic class sought out sexual relationships for practical reasons like financial help. As a result women tend to look for multiple relationships so that they can provide for their households. However critics of this thesis state that common law relationships and outside children are present in all economic classes
Gender inequality- an important sociologist R. T. Smith (2004) states that while African retentions and experiences of slaves may have influenced Caribbean family forms, persistent gender roles may have also had some influence. He suggests that men in the Caribbean gain a feeling of power when they have lives outside of marriage. In these lives these men may have outside families and children, deep commitments to activities and pastimes that take them out of the home for a long period of time.
What are social institutions?
Social institutions embody all the ideas and beliefs of members of the society about how they think their lives should be organised
What are social organisations?
These are the concrete structured patterns in social life based on the ideas and beliefs of members of the society
Define the term ‘norms’
These are acceptable standards of the society
Define the term ‘status’
This is a label identifying one’s social position
Define the term ‘role’
This is a set of behaviours expected of one’s status
