Family structure and dynamics in the Caribbean: An examination of residential and relational matrifocality in Guyana.

Abstract

Caribbean family theory is primarily based on ethnographic reports of special populations within the region. Specifically, studies of lower-class rural communities predominate. The lack of rigorous cross-sectional studies has resulted in an incomplete, if not distorted picture of Caribbean family patterns. This dissertation is a partial redress of this deficiency. Primary cross-sectional data from Georgetown, Guyana were used to assess the issue of matrifocality, a persistent theme in the Caribbean literature. Two aspects of this phenomenon were investigated: residential matrifocality--female headed households, and relational matrifocality--the obverse of male marginality. The task undertaken was to determine whether socio-economic, socio-demographic, cultural and religious factors differentiated female-headed from conjugal households. Additionally, the influence of these, along with personality and role perception variables on relational matrifocality was assessed. Three components of relational matrifocality were considered: emotional involvement with children of school age, paternal care and nurture of infants, and conjugal decision orientations. Findings suggest that while female-headed households are more associated with social class factors, age as an a-priori determinant partially contributes to those relationships. Ethnic differences in family structure consistent with prior theory were found. However, male marginality was not found to be as pervasive as is suggested in the literature. Evidence was provided for age, ethnic and social class differences in levels of male involvement but these differences were not consistent across all components of relational matrifocality. The results suggest a need for clearer specification of demographic and social class differences in levels of male marginality. Overall the study contributes to the underst and ing of the structure of Caribbean matrifocal homes and to the nature of expressive roles for Caribbean males.