Beyond Behavioral Adjustments: How Determinants of Contemporary Caribbean Masculinities Thwart Efforts to Eliminate Domestic Violence

Abstract

This study and its ancillary behavioral health program identified and addressed a Caribbean cultural paradigm that is no longer viable in 21st century Caribbean society. A complex web of cultural and social determinants binds Caribbean men in a depressing scenario of limited educational opportunity, inconsistent seasonal employment, and proclivity toward violence against women. Our study chronicles a Caribbean domestic violence initiative, Partnership for Peace (PFP), with qualitative data from 32 Grenadian male domestic violence offenders and nine of their female counterparts. We found that Caribbean-gendered relations are intrinsically linked, and any attempt to foster behavioral adjustments among male perpetrators will not be sustainable without addressing gendered disparities in education and employment.