In the Caribbean, sexuality is omnipresent; that is, it is seen but not heard. The Caribbean region can be characterised as a dualistic society. On the one side, sexuality is embraced and highly visible, manifesting itself in the culture of the music, dance, and the popular Carnival. The other side presents a society that is conservative and inhibiting, one that is heavily influenced by religion. There is a lack of communication regarding sexuality, both within schools and homes, making it very challenging for parents to be open with their children on the subject matter. Let's face it, many parents do not feel comfortable talking to their children about sexuality for a variety of reasons. In this respect, sexual education offered in schools helps open the discussion. However, it is not a panacea. Parents should not leave this important topic to the schools. Rather, parents should work together with the schools and the information that is disseminated to ensure the values and beliefs of the family, community and society are integrated. In this book, we present recent research on sexuality, alcohol, drugs and violence from the Caribbean region.
Author Biography:
Cecilia Hegamin-Younger, PhD is professor of biostatistics at St Georges University Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Grenada, the West Indies and a faculty mentor at the University of Michigan Office of Public Health Practice and the University of Illinois, Department of Public Health, United States. Dr Hegamin-Younger is a liaison with the Drug Control Secretariat of Grenada and the Inter-American Drug Control Commission. Her current research focuses on drug epidemiology, gender issues and child abuse. Joav Merrick, MD, MMedSci, DMSc, born and educated in Denmark is professor of pediatrics, child health and human development, Division of Pediatrics, Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center, Mt Scopus Campus, Jerusalem, Israel and Kentucky Childrens Hospital, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky United States and professor of public health at the Center for Healthy Development, School of Public Health, Georgia State University, Atlanta, United States, the medical director of the Health Services, Division for Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Ministry of Social Affairs and Social Services, Jerusalem, the founder and director of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development in Israel.
