CANDIDATE NAME: Jaydan Brathwaite

CANDIDATE NUMBER: 1600760

CENTRE NAME: ST. STEPHEN’S COLLEGE

CENTRE NUMBER: 160076

YEAR OF EXAMINATION: 2023

TEACHER: SUESANN SANKAR

SUBJECT: COMMUNICATIONS STUDIES

THEME: Family issues in Trinidad and Tobago

TOPIC: An investigation into the impact of single parenting on children in Trinidad and

Tobago

TERRITORY: TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

 Table of Contents
Content Page Number
General Introduction 1
Reflection

Preface

Analysis
 General Introduction

"Family Issues in Trinidad and Tobago" are growing increasingly serious and unresolved. As

a result, this study places emphasis on the impact of single parenting on children in Trinidad

and Tobago, with the goal of drawing attention to the importance of this issue. A prevalent

but often disregarded matter. My theme was discussed in my exposition as it discussed the

detrimental effects of single parenting on children in Trinidad and Tobago. To move on, a

poem entitled “Cons of single parenting”, delves into challenges, difficulties, and negative

aspects faced by single parenting and their children. The poem speaks about the physical and

psychological a child/children go through as a result of having a single parent. The poem

gives real-life challenges that are faced on a daily. As an aspiring social worker, I’ve been

drawn to this subject due to its compelling nature, prompting me to delve into the intricate

challenges encountered by single parents and their children. This interest aligns with my

academic pursuits and career aspirations, motivating me to explore and understand the

complexities inherent in the experiences of single-parent households. My upbringing in a

single-parent family fuels my passion for understanding these dynamics and advocating for

families facing similar challenges.

 Reflection

“Cons of single parenting”

A twin island home, where the sky struts

Along an open shore,

A twin island home where the sky tip-toes,

Upon the outstretched shore.

Is a twin island home that

Lies home to

A rocky road a single parent must endure.

A twin island home, where there are challenges of their own,

Affecting the psychological and physical composition of

The children of this twin island abode.

A twin island home, where the sky struts

Along an open shore,

A twin island home, where the sky tip-toes

Upon the outstretched shore,

Lies home to an unresolved problem

A prevalent but often disregarded matter of the children on this twin island abode.

A twin island home, amidst the vibrant colours of carnival

And its majestic-sounding steel pan section lies home to a complex tale of single

parents.
Struggles and hardships are the effects the children of single parents face,

Echoing beyond the vibrant shores in this twin island abode.

But is this twin island home considered a home,

A difficult road that a single parent must concourse.

Many of them navigate without a planned destination,

Unaware of the consequences they may cause.

High cost of living, limited job opportunities, and social stares,

Contribute to the complexity a single parent must endure.

Financially constrained, posing a significant risk,

Therefore impacting the future of their children,

Often causing them to drop out of school,

To acquire an income for their twin island home.

But is this twin island home considered a home?

The absence of the other parent creates a hole,

Leading to difficulties in identifying traditional gender roles.

Young boys consider adultery and violence as norms,

Often perpetuating them when they have families of their own.

In Trinidad and Tobago’s vibrant sway,

Children use education as a passage to get away,

A flickering light dimmed by hardships relentless fight,

Unequal footing in knowledge’s flight.

Behavioural struggles and guidance are missed,

Lacking love, their hearts are anguished.

In search, they go, a chaotic twist.

In social spheres, a yearning abyss.

A twin island home, where the sky struts

Along an open shore,

A twin island home, where the sky tip-toes

Upon the outstretched shore,

Is a twin island home that

Lies home to a haunting sound.

The negative effects tightly cling in single-parent homes,

“Way your mother boi" they echo and ring,

A complex wave where hardship sings.

Physically and psychologically affecting the minds of the children

In this twin-island abode.

Is this twin island home really considered a home?

Challenges breed in this unique sphere, shaping the child’s life.

In this twin island home, dreams entwined,

Economic woes, futures confined.

A question lingers in the quiet dome,

Is this, truly, a nurturing home?

Dreams, like waves, held by financial tether,

Yet hope persists, light as a feather.

In the twin island embrace, a subtle plea,

A home's essence, what is it meant to be?

In the realm of single parenting, a varied tale is spun,

Where some children thrive beneath the single sun.

Emotional strains and financial plight they may bear,

Yet resilient spirits emerge, a testament rare.

Independence blossoms in the shadows cast,

As each child faces challenges, from present to past.

Survival's melody, a resilient refrain,

Through the trials of single parenting's terrain.

A twin island home, where the sky struts

Along an open shore,

In a twin island home, where the sky tip-toes,

Upon the outstretched shore, a single parent's journey unfolds.

Children, like seashells, shaped by the tide,

In the ebb and flow of single parenting's stride.

Challenges may surge, like waves that crash and roar,

Yet within this home, the resilience they explore.

Amidst the tropical hues, a tale of strength takes flight,

In the impact of single parenting, children may find their light.

 Preface

Family issues in the Caribbean are infrequently addressed, leading to a growing seriousness

of their impact. Among these unresolved concerns, the significant influence of single

parenting on children in Trinidad and Tobago stands out as a paramount issue. Thus, I choose

to represent my piece as a poem titled “Cons of single parenting”, this poem aims to highlight

the challenges and disadvantages faced by single parents and their children. Its primary

purpose is to bring attention to this neglected aspect and the hardships children encounter in

these circumstances. The intended audience for this poem includes social workers, educators,

parents, families, and anyone interested in understanding and addressing family issues.

Additionally, individuals concerned with social welfare, mental health professionals, and

those advocating for family support and well-being might find this poem relevant and

enlightening. Furthermore, I hope this poem serves as a poignant call for awareness and

attention, reaching out to those grappling with difficult situations and providing a beacon for

those seeking help and guidance. This poem can be published in newspapers and on widely

accessed social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram. Leveraging these mediums is

strategic for reaching a broader audience due to their extensive reach and influence.
 The Analysis

In my reflective piece, titled "Cons of Single Parenting," I look into family issues in the

Caribbean, specifically focusing on the impact of single parenting on children in Trinidad and

Tobago. The poem discussed the profound effects of single parenting, shedding light on the

psychological and physical challenges faced by these children within the context of a twin

island home. It uncovers the complex waves of struggles often overlooked in society,

touching on issues ranging from the absence of traditional gender roles to economic

constraints causing disruptions in education. The poem unfolds the multifaceted layers of

adversity that mold the lives of these children. Despite the hardships depicted, the poem

resonates with resilience and hope, emphasizing the strength that emerges within the vibrant

yet challenging shores of single-parent households. The pattern of questioning the essence of

the home reflects the uncertainty these children navigate, illustrating how single parenting

weaves a diverse and impactful narrative in the lives of those growing up in the twin island

home. Lastly, I intend to discuss two linguistic features that are used in my poem which are

dialectal variation and language registers.