Rhoda Reddock

Christine Barrow

A significant body of Caribbean sociological literature is either scattered, difficult to access, or out of print. This publication addresses this problem by bringing the literature together in a single volume. This comprehensive collection is divided into twelve sections, beginning with a general introduction that reviews Caribbean sociological development. The subsequent sections explore the themes of Caribbean social theory, social stratification, ethnicity, culture and identities, women and gender, education, and modernization, as well as emerging topics of discussion, namely domestic violence, child and sexual abuse, labor market conditions, population and demographic change and indigenous African-derived religions.Christine Barrow is a lecturer in sociology at the University of the West Indies in Barbados. Rhoda Reddock, University of the West Indies, is head of the Center for Gender and Development Studies in St. Augustine, Trinidad.

Introductory Readings

Caribbean Sociology

"Studies of the experience of Caribbean childhood have, in the past, been undertaken almost exclusively from the perspective of adults rather than that of the children themselves. In this work, 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. The core of the study is based on the childhood narratives of 28 men and women organised around a range of themes including migration, informal adoption and abandonment. These narratives provide fresh insights into the complex lives of children as well as alternative views of commonly accepted notions such as the two-parent family being the ideal, in comparison to the reality of families not purely formed by blood relation. Caribbean Childhoods adds a new dimension to our understanding of the rich diversity of Caribbean families and the context in which many children are raised. It is a useful guide for social workers, teachers and anyone else seeking to understand Caribbean youth. "

Christine Barrow

Books

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