I saw this and thought it would be nice to share

If you are one of the fortunate people to be born in Jamaica, or are from Jamaican heritage, then you will be able to relate to the special bond that exists between families.

Jamaican parents are by nature very strict. From early childhood they urge their children to excel academically and athletically, they also encourage them to be discerning in regards to the company they keep. Although Jamaican parents are very stern, there is also another side to them. They are usually fun loving and very involved in all phases of their children's lives.
They believe in rewarding their offspring for their accomplishments and endeavours.

Unlike some cultures where parents tend to sever the connection with their children, once they have acquired their legal age. Jamaican families remain a constant guiding force in their children's lives well beyond adulthood. You are never too old to be scolded or be given advice. As far as they are concerned you are always their child and they take that responsibility seriously.

Part of the Jamaican family life consists of siblings being taught togetherness and looking out for each other. Sometimes the children are taken care of by nannies or "helpers". This is a very enlightening experience because they develop a wealth of knowledge about life and other Jamaicans living in different parishes. The "helpers" tell them stories about Jamaican folklore, they teach them to cook and comb their hair. Families and helpers urge the children to be well groomed and organized at all times. A big part of Jamaican life is, that Jamaican girls and women enjoy having their hair done on a regular basis, and pay keen attention to their appearance.

Although there is help in the home, a Jamaican child is expected to do chores, such as; making his/her bed, setting the dinner table, making a beverage for dinner or washing the dinner plates. During the week when school is in session they are not allowed to watch television or cavort around town. As a rule, Jamaican parents do not condone their children idly "hanging-out".
When born into a Jamaican family, the whole family becomes involved in your upbringing. It is not just mother and father. It is grandparents, aunts and uncles.

Everyone contributes "their say" at some point or another. Religion and going to church is also a very important part of Jamaican life. I remember going to church on Saturday evenings, and having to be formally dressed for the occasion. It was also a great honor for parents to have their children serve as altar boys or girls in the church. As children growing up in Jamaica we never really experienced boredom, because our families made certain that our time was well spent. Whether in sporting activities or visiting with relatives that were close to our ages, we always had something to do. It was also very popular to spend holidays on the North coast of Jamaica (Negril, Ocho Rios), or help our parents at their place of business.

Our holidays and summers were always well planned. Easter, Christmas and Independence are prominent holidays in Jamaica. Families celebrate by wearing festive clothing, making a beverage called sorrel and baking Jamaican bun. It is a time when everyone celebrates, relatives come by, and very elaborate meals are prepared. Meals such as ham, curry goat, stew peas and rice, and an all time favorite beverage, sour sop juice. The most enjoyable things families do at Christmas is to watch the street dances and floats, and also play with starlights. Starlights look like incense sticks, however, when lit they sparkle like stars in the sky.

In Jamaica, not only do parents keep an eye on their children, but also neighbors and friends always seem to take great interest in each other's children.

Once out of school parents monitor their children's career and encourage them to soar to greater heights.
Jamaicans do not give their children a "sowing your oats time". It is expected that after one has decided on a vocation, that one will choose a suitable life partner, marry and build a life together. Family members are normally part of this process. Jamaican fathers are mindful of their daughters. They want their daughters to marry someone who will protect and provide for them very well. When it comes to their male children, parents want their sons to marry women who are smart, personable, good cooks and home keepers.

Jamaican families believe in lavish weddings. The weddings are filled with pomp and circumstance, including all the social graces and etiquette. Jamaicans are very loyal to tradition. Most Jamaican marriages last because they believe in creating a solid foundation, building a life together and enduring the difficult times.

A father teaches his daughter not to "quibble" over petty matters and sons are taught to appease their wives. Jamaican women are groomed to handle their households in an effective manner. This may seem like a very simple solution. However, It has been successful and has worked for many centuries.

Jamaican families are tightly woven together like a knit. If you are unkind to one member of the family, the rest of the family empathizes. Even though a child may embark on a new life as a wife or husband, the families still preside over their interests and well-being.

In conclusion, I believe it is a fair assumption to say that Jamaican families are like the Musketeers, "One for all and all for one."

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Ummm ... growing up I never did any chores. I must not be Jamaican ...

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"Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake." - Matthew 5 v11 KJV

Very waggish indeed.

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Nopes. No chores. Stuff like picking up toys and keeping room clean or washing your plate after you eat aren't "chores" in my mind. I did those things, but not the kind of chores most other people would be doing.

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"Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake." - Matthew 5 v11 KJV

Very waggish indeed.

Wow. This all sounds like utopia. Surely this the model which most families would try to model themselves on, Jamaican or not.

Your description is lovely. If only more adults, children etc got to live their lives this way the world would be a better place.

Unfortunately, for many this is far from the truth. But there's no harm in having aspirations...

1P, this description of thetypical jamaican family seems very interesting and wholesome.

However, I would like to think that I came from a Jamaican family circle that was as common as they come, but unfortunately, that as described above, is not reflective of the "typical" Jamaican family I know... Not my family or any other that I grew up around.

While such things as chores and (for some) going to church was standard for many of us,many things outline does not ring true to me.
Many of us at the crack of dawn had to (maybe) sweep the yard, feed the animals, go the river or stand pipe" to get water or out in the field. All this would depends of whether you lived in the urban, suburban or remote areas of jamaica.

Once the morning chores are over and you had breakfast, unless its a school day, the rest of the day is spend "hanging out" with your friends playing "football" on a street corner, building a kite, or going out in the woods to "shoot" birds.

The strictness of parents described above was moreso based on the parents insistence that children must respect ALL adults. Saying "Hi" was not good enough. It had to be "Good Morning, Miss Bertha" or Good Evening Mr. Roy", and so on. I could continue...

The point I am trying to state is that the (as one person called it) utopian environment described above was obviously written by someone who has first-hand knowledge of observing a few jamiacan family, but had not spent sufficient time to really get to know them.

But thats just my opinion, another jamaican may have a different opinion...

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Productive,objective, mental, spiritual and intellectual enhancement fosters personal enrichment.
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The typical family sounds like heaven.

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If you've never stared off in the distance, then your life is a shame...

yEP..
..........

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It wasn't my discription Manu just pulled it off a web site wanted to get folks opinons on it....I relate to most but not all

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Yes I think it was a light hearted general view that was meant to summaries some of the key things considered "typical" which is why the title of the thread is in speach marks, I dont think there is such a thing as typical as even with your description of typical there will be others my siblings included that will differ....what I do think though is that some things are more common than others dependind on the age in which you were raised?

About the Author

My name is Margaret Bailey. I was born in St. Andrew, Jamaica. I attended Vaz Preparatory School and Convent of Mercy Alpha. I migrated to the United States approximately twenty-two years ago, where I attended University, and then worked in corporate America for several years. I currently teach at a private academy in Florida. I am currently pursuing my writing career and I have written one book, "Mortimer the loving bat".

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Which is why I said..

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Productive,objective, mental, spiritual and intellectual enhancement fosters personal enrichment.
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Your point is I'm not arguing with you!!....aren't we in agreeance on this rare occassion?

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Why does everything always appear to be "arguing"?

I am simply reconfirming that although I describe my own rendition of a "typical" jamaican family, I DID say that it was simply my opinion based on my own family as well as others I know.

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Productive,objective, mental, spiritual and intellectual enhancement fosters personal enrichment.
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And "Yes"...WE are IN AGREEMENT.

I am in DISAGREEMENT with the writers opinion...Not Yours.

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Productive,objective, mental, spiritual and intellectual enhancement fosters personal enrichment.
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