Structural and personal contexts of discipline orientations of Guyanese parents: Theoretic and empirical considerations

Abstract

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.