Some effects of sex, age, and household structure on family drawings of Barbadian children

An analysis of the family drawings of a nonclinical sample of 502 Barbadian children aged 7-11 years is reported. The inclusion or omission of figures and the size and positioning of the figures of parents and self were examined with reference to sex, age, and household structure. The view that cultural values about the structure of the family unit and parental roles are reflected in children's representations of their parents in family drawings was supported. (AU)

Corporal punishment in elementary education: views of Barbadian schoolchildren

Most previous research has suggested that children often express little unconditional disapproval of the use of corporal punishment in schools. However, this might be expected to change when pupils become aware that such treatment is no longer permitted in many countries, or hear it labelled as "abuse." This paper reports on research conducted in elementary schools in the Caribbean island of Barbados, where head teachers (or their authorized deputies) are still permitted by law to use corporal punishment. Findings indicated that approximately three-quarters of pupils surveyed still approved use of corporal punishment with their own age group, although their comments also suggested that a considerable amount of routine (and illegal) "flogging" or "lashing" by regular classroom teachers occurred, which many wished to see stopped. The growing risk of clashes between parents and schools was also identified. While this and other recent studies in Barbados provide little evidence of support for the total abolition of corporal punishment within the educational system, it is hoped that research may have some role to play in exerting pressure on schools to eliminate some of their more ritualized and pedagogically counterproductive practices (AU)

Nature and extent of Barbadian adolescents' sex-stereotyping of occupations

This study compared the extent of sex-role stereotyping within adolescents' perceptions of 90 occupations under two rating conditions: which sex "should do" the job (eligibility) and which sex perfoms the job best (Competence). The sample comprised 850 students aged 12-16 years from state secondary schools in Barbados. Results indicated much stronger sterotyping under `Competence" that under `Eligibility' conditions: although students demonstrated considerable willingness to see both sexes employed in many of the jobs listed, sterotyped beliefs regarding the relative superiority of women or men appeared more firmly entrenched. In particular, boys were generally far more likely than girls to rate men more competent than women in traditionally "male" occupational domains. (AU)

Barbadian adolescents' views of the "ideal" family

An instrument examining the perceptions of "ideal" family functioning was administered to 536 adolescents aged 12 to 18 yr. in Barbados. Analysis indicated fairly extensive differences between the views of male and female students, somewhat fewer differences in age and type of school attended, and very few differences associated with household composition and religious affiliation. (AU)

Effects of parental presence/absence on size of children's human figure drawings

The effects of parental presence or absence in the home on the size of male and female human figure drawing were examined for a sample of 480 Barbadian children ages 7 to 13 yrs. Most children of both sexes drew larger female than male figures, but significant effects relating to mother-absence and father-absence were found for boys and girls, respectively. Findings were not entirely consistent with those of previous research but would seem to reflect the matrifocality of Caribbean households. (AU)

Casual attributions for unemployment in Barbados

The importance of various explanations for unemployment in their country was rated by 468 predominantly young people from the Caribbean island of Barbados. The twenty explanations provided, which were taken from other studies, showed a clear structure. The six factors that emerged from them were lack of effort on the part of the unemployed, lack of ability, failure of trade unions, effects of government policy, regional and world-wide changes, and poor industrial management. Endorsement of these explanations was related to sex, age, and education, but was not related very clearly to employment status. (AU)

Use and abuse of corporal punishment: a Caribbean view

A sample of 499 Barbadian adults, aged 20 to 59 years, completed written questionnaires to indicate whether they generally approved or disapproved of corporal punishment in child rearing, the perceived advantages and disadvantages of such punishment, the methods and circumstances thought most appropriate for use, and those most inappropriate or ill-advised. Approximately 70 percent of respondents "generally approved" of corporal punishment, and three-quarters of the remainder considered it occasionally appropriate. There was evidence of considerable consensus as to what constitutes legitimate use of physical punishment and what is unsuitable and/or abusive, although certain differences in the responses of older and younger adults highlighted specific diversities of concern and shifts of attitude over time. The majority considered serious disadvantages to arise only if parents resorted to punishment in an unsystematic, excessive, or self-serving manner, although a small minority thought corporal punishment more generally undesirable or unproductive within the context of contemporary Barbadian society. (AU)

Sexuality and the secondary school: some observations on coed and single-sex environments

Identifies some issues relating to adolescent sexual development and the current functioning of secondary schools in Barbados. Analyses data gathered from a survey which indicates that 1) the coeducational experience is likely to lead to antagonistic and even aggressive attitudes towards the opposite sex at school; 2) the difficulties students face as adolescents even outside of the school context should be attempted to be alleviated by the schools; and 3) both staff and students are concerned by the occurrence or suspected occurrence of improper sexual behaviour on the part of some teachers. Suggests that these issues need to be addressed so that undesirable and counterproductive influences can be eliminated and schools assisted to have a more positive and constructive impact on the sexual development and adjustment of their students(AU)

Child abuse: a Caribbean regional perspective

Discusses the findings of a survey on parental use of corporal punishment conducted in October/November 1987, on a sample of 499 adults ranging in age from 20 to 59. States that there is still widespread support for corporal punishment (71 percent), however, there is a small but significant minority who are against (23 percent of the 29 percent who disapproved indicated it should never be used) a finding not apparent in previous literature from the Caribbean, but consistent with complaints from parents about punishment at school. Responses used to illustrate findings. Discusses the influence of the media. States that the findings provided a clearer picture of the current confusion and conflict on the use of corporal punishment and its status vis a vis contemporary perceptions about abusive parental behaviour. Data suggests the development of positive and enthsiastic attitudes towards non-corporal methods of discipline and recommends that these be set in a Caribbean context. (AU)