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Despite the acknowledgment of pluralism, Caribbean family literature often focuses on the Afro-Caribbean family and does not satisfactorily address the issues of the Indo-Caribbean family. This paper examines whether the lndo-Guyanese differ from the dominant culture of the Anglophone Caribbean in the structural arrangements of the family. Findings from secondary analysis of cross-sectional data of Guyana collected in 2004, suggest that the lndo-Guyanese significantly differ from the Afro-Guyanese in the structural arrangements of the family. Indo-Guyanese were more likely to be in marital unions and have longer marriages than the other racial groups, even when controlled for age. These differences suggest that the present day Indo-Guyanese have not assimilated into the dominant Creole culture, but have retained their cultural traits at least in the structural domain of the family. Hence it was concluded that "Guyanization" appears to be an ongoing process rather than a completed phenomenon in the familial domain of the Indo-Guyanese.

This paper empirically responds to the critiqued scarcity of studies on the interactional patterns of Anglophone Caribbean families. Using primary cross-sectional data from urban Guyana, a cultural and historic affiliate of the English-speaking Caribbean, the study examines the nature of discipline styles (punitive and non-punitive) and factors that predict their usage. The absence of specific and consistent ethnic and socioeconomic differences in discipline styles found in this study point to a more generalized cultural norm influencing the socialization of children in urban Guyana. The significant gender based discipline patterns observed, support previous arguments relative to the gender segmentation of the Caribbean society. The finding that perception of parental strain is a significant predictor of the variation of discipline styles points to the importance of the personal context of socialization behavior in urban Guyana.

Cet article examine les différences raciales au point de vue de la santé, physique et du bien-être mental en Guyane, Amérique du Sud : un pays qui a des liens culturels avec la Caraïbe. Il explore la relation complexe entre la race, le statut économique social et les résultats de santé ce qui, dans les societés développées, continue d'être d'un intérêt significatif pour les chercheurs. Utilisant une probabilité d'échantillon aléatoire de plus de 900 adultes, les analyses pourvoient des informations sur le statut de l'état de santé générale physique et mental de cette population et examinent les différences par groupes raciales quand d'autres facteurs sont contrôles. Les résultats indiquent des différences significatives qui sont spécifiques à l'âge et la race au point de vue de la santé physique et mentale en Guyane. On nota des taux plus élevés de diabète, arthrite ou rhumatisme, des problèmes de dos et de respiration chez les Indo Guyanais comparé à d'autres groupes. Les différences raciales au point de vue santé physique furent atténuées quant au sexe et au niveau d'éducation.

Studies of child socialization in the Caribbean are rare and the knowledge of such issues are at best fragmented. This study responds to the need for additional studies of the interactional features of Caribbean families and investigates the cognitive bases of socialization practices in the Caribbean region. Specifically, the study investigates the hierarchy of thirteen socialization values and the factors that differentiate their relative ranking. Using a sample of adults in the greater Georgetown area in Guyana, N=654 and a split ballot quasiexperiment, socialization values preferred for I 0 year-old, 13 year-old, and 16 year-old children are described . Though a clear pattern of generalized values emerged, the study uncovered subtle and important gender of child, gender of respondent differences as well as variation along a developmental continuum. Though not consistent as hypothesized, some socio-economic differences were also observed in socialization preferences. The need for further investigation of socialization values and practices are noted.