Abstract

Research on childrearing in the Caribbean has primarily focused on parents’ use of physical punishment (Brown & Johnson, 2008; Roopnarine, Wang, Krishnakumar, & Davidson, 2013; Payne, 1989; Smith & Mosby, 2003) and little is known about the other practices that parents in the Caribbean use to discipline their children. The present qualitative study used a developmental niche model to examine the childrearing practices, especially the disciplinary strategies which parents in Trinidad use to correct their children’s misbehaviour. Six mothers and one father residing in various locations throughout Trinidad, participated in a 1-hour to 1.5-hour semi-structured interview regarding the childrearing practices, especially the disciplinary practices, which they used to guide their 3 to 17-year-old children. Participants reported that their discipline practices included repeated explanations, taking away privileges, fixed eye-contact, the naughty corner, and only an occasional slap or spanking; as most of the participants were not in favor of physical punishment. The findings provided insight into the various practices, which Trinidadian parents used to discipline their youngsters.