[Experiences of Caribbean Children]

by

Acknowledgement

I would take this opportunity to thank my research supervisor, family and friends for their support and guidance without which this research would not have been possible.

DECLARATION

I, [type your full first names and surname here], declare that the contents of this dissertation/thesis represent my own unaided work, and that the dissertation/thesis has not previously been submitted for academic examination towards any qualification. Furthermore, it represents my own opinions and not necessarily those of the University.

Signed __________________ Date _________________

ABSTRACT

In this study we try to explore the subject of the Caribbean children and their experiences who followed their parents in the post war era. The main focus of the research is on the encounters of the children who might have suffered the mental and emotional tortures after being separated from their parents. The research also analyzes many aspects of the Caribbean region and and tries to gauge the needs of the parents to leave the children behind and migrate to some other region.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION1

1.1 Problem Statement1

1.2 Research Aims and Objectives2

1.3 Significance of the Study2

1.4 Rationale3

1.5 Structure of the Report4

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW6

2.1 Background History6

2.2 Caribbean's Migration to Britain in the Post-War Era7

2.3 Children's Experiences in the Absence of their Parents12

2.4 Second Generation's Migration to Britain and Social Change13

CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY17

3.1 Research instruments17

3.2 Sampling and sample size19

3.3 Data Analysis19

3.4 Ethics20

3.5 Reflection on Field Work20

CHAPTER 5: DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS23

4.1 Main Findings23

4.2 Evaluation31

CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION32

BIBLIOGRAPHY35

APPENDIX41

QUESTIONNAIRE41

Chapter 1: Introduction

Immigration is a key issue for British society as many individuals and families depart from their homeland to enter other parts of the world in order to attain betterment in their living standards, education, profession and other components of life. For instance, most of the people from the region of Caribbean have migrated to the United Kingdom in pursuit of a better quality of life. The concept of migration has been a fundamental part of Caribbean life for centuries (Ferguson, Pp. 34-44) Immigration raises questions of nationality and citizenship as individuals go through a process of hybridization in order to adapt to a new country. Harris (1988) argues that the debates on black immigration during the 1950s reinforced a radicalized construction of being British that excluded or included people on the grounds of race defined by colour.( Cited in Solomon 2003:35)

1.1 Problem Statement

This project explores the experiences of Caribbean citizens beginning from their childhood, from the phase of separating from their parents and eventually reuniting with them in Britain. This topic is investigated because the Caribbean population of Great Britain is one of the longest established of the new population groups which has emerged since World War II due to the high expectations of opportunities which will help their families financially and also for a better quality of life (Goulbourne & Solomos, Pp. 329-338).

Therefore, the project at hand is aimed to identify the positive and negative aspects of the experiences of the Caribbean citizens and to analyze its impacts on their lives. This study will help us identify the hidden experiences ...