Father-child involvement in English-speaking Caribbean countries: Links to childhood development

The social-structural familial arrangements, beliefs about fatherhood and fathering, levels of father involvement, and the meaning of paternal involvement for childhood development are considered in English-speaking Indo-Caribbean and African-Caribbean families. Fatherhood occurs in diverse mating unions and fathers hold traditional beliefs about men’s roles that are steeped in hegemonic models of manhood. Levels of involvement are comparable to those of fathers in other developing societies. Family process variables such as stable living arrangements, cohesion, warmth and affection, and adaptability appear more influential in determining developmental outcomes than family structure. Policies and practices that may encourage male participation with children are suggested.