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There are many types of family groups in Barbados.
Families may consist of a husband, a wife and their unmarried children,
or of a single parent and children. There is a high proportion of
single-parent families, and 38% of Bajan households are headed by women.
Many households include grandparents. Raising children is traditionally the responsibility not only of the parents, but of the whole family, and in some cases, the community as well. The mother, however, bears the primary responsibility for supporting and raising her children. Young children may be left with their grandparents or other family members while the mother or both parents are at work. Neighbours may also watch out for each other's children. |
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The supportive relationship of extended families
and friends is very important. Help is always available. It is not uncommon
for a family or individual to adopt a child informally even if they have
many children and are not affluent. The children of unmarried women are
often adopted informally or raised by a member of the extended family. Children are expected to be obedient, polite and respectful towards their elders and to learn discipline and compromise at home and in school. Parents may spank young children as punishment and to enforce discipline. Bajans feel that children's behaviour in public reflects on the reputation of their parents. |
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| Weddings are a time of celebration. Singing and dancing are usually part of the festivities, and rum cake is traditionally served. After marriage, the husband and wife usually move out on their own. If they cannot afford to rent or buy a place of their own, they may live for a time with either the groom's or bride's family. The wife traditionally takes the name of her husband upon marriage. In recent years, some women have elected to keep their own family names. Bajan couples, like Canadian couples, may also live together without getting married. |
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