Spend Less Than You Earn
Course ID: FOUND 1401
Assignment: Research Essay
Name:
ID#:
Date: 2012 – 11-20
Tutor: Mrs. Paulette Bell – Kerr
Stream/Day & Time: Thursday (6 p.m. – 8 p.m.)
What are some of the reasons that contribute to the high rate of absence of fathers in Caribbean families, and how significantly does the presence of the father affect the development of Caribbean children?
Leading psychologist, Michael E. Lamb (1999) expresses that fathers are the “forgotten contributors to child development.” The surge of fatherless homes or the reality of fathers being absent in Caribbean homes has in recent years become more prevalent resulting in the socio-economic and emotional development of our children being retarded. Research has reinforced the longstanding view that many hold, which is that the presence of the father crucial to a child’s development and that the roles of father are distinct and irreplaceable in child development, therefore an active father is imperative to a child’s well-being.
Father absence refers to the situation in which a child does not have his/her biological father dwelling with them in a common home (it does not apply to children whose father have died) and may occur as a result of cultural, economic and social factors. Alarmingly, in several modern societies, a bizarre concept is accepted where men’s participation in child care is not encouraged as any sign of tenderness is shied away from and men are urged to “toughen-up” and be strong. “In Trinidad, the extended family of parents, sisters, grandmothers, cousins, aunts, ‘pumpkin vine’ family and even neighbours all vie excitedly to take care of a new baby (Awong-Persaud, 2011)”, which results in the marginalization of the father. The poor economic conditions present in several Caribbean countries is also a reason Caribbean men are missing in the homes as they are often motivated to migrate in pursuit of better wages and more hopeful futures. As a
Assignment: Research Essay
Name:
ID#:
Date: 2012 – 11-20
Tutor: Mrs. Paulette Bell – Kerr
Stream/Day & Time: Thursday (6 p.m. – 8 p.m.)
What are some of the reasons that contribute to the high rate of absence of fathers in Caribbean families, and how significantly does the presence of the father affect the development of Caribbean children?
Leading psychologist, Michael E. Lamb (1999) expresses that fathers are the “forgotten contributors to child development.” The surge of fatherless homes or the reality of fathers being absent in Caribbean homes has in recent years become more prevalent resulting in the socio-economic and emotional development of our children being retarded. Research has reinforced the longstanding view that many hold, which is that the presence of the father crucial to a child’s development and that the roles of father are distinct and irreplaceable in child development, therefore an active father is imperative to a child’s well-being.
Father absence refers to the situation in which a child does not have his/her biological father dwelling with them in a common home (it does not apply to children whose father have died) and may occur as a result of cultural, economic and social factors. Alarmingly, in several modern societies, a bizarre concept is accepted where men’s participation in child care is not encouraged as any sign of tenderness is shied away from and men are urged to “toughen-up” and be strong. “In Trinidad, the extended family of parents, sisters, grandmothers, cousins, aunts, ‘pumpkin vine’ family and even neighbours all vie excitedly to take care of a new baby (Awong-Persaud, 2011)”, which results in the marginalization of the father. The poor economic conditions present in several Caribbean countries is also a reason Caribbean men are missing in the homes as they are often motivated to migrate in pursuit of better wages and more hopeful futures. As a
References: Anderson, P. (2009). The changing roles of fathers in Jamaican family life (pp 69-88). Planning Institute of Jamaica. Policy Research Unit.; University of the West Indies (Mona, Jamaica). Office of the Principal. Harris, JR. (2000). The outcome of parenting: What do we really know? Journal of Personality, 68(3), 625-637. Interactive population centre page. Retrieved on November 14, 2012 from http://web.unfpa.org/intercenter/role4men/enhancin.htm Introduction to father absence theory page Lamb, M. E. (1999). Fathers: The forgotten contributors to child development. Human Development 18(4): 245-266 Moccoby, E Parke, R., & McDowell, D. (2003). Fatherhood. International encyclopedia of marriage and family. Retrieved November 15, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3406900170.html Passmark, C Pruett, K. (2000). Fatherneed: why fathers is as essential as mothers care for your child. The New York Free Press. UNICEF Jamaica page. Retrieved November 14, 2012, from http://www.unicef.org/jamaica/parentingcorner.html Weinraub, M. (1978). Fatherhood: The myth of the second class parent (pp.127). Washington DC: National Association for Education of Young Children.