Family:
Statics highlight many Afro-Caribbean families are often single parent families headed by the mother for example in ‘Lewisham, South London 58% of households with children are headed by lone parents’(Martin,2012). In this sense it could be argued that girls within the home have a female role model to look up to. However one could also argue that in fact this is not the case, for example the New Right specifically Murray (1960) would claim children need both a mother and father in order to have a stable upbringing, this could be an explanation why Afro- Caribbean girls underachieve in terms of educational attainment. The father is expected to have the characteristic of being strict and providing some sort of discipline within the home and due to this allows girls to make positive decisions. Also within South London the income rate can be considered low for some individuals, ‘Afro Caribbean students came from the poorest sections of society’ (Gill, 1992: 7) as a result many Afro-Caribbean girls face cultural deprivation. Sociologists have reinforced often Caribbean parents lack understanding of the importance of communication, interaction and play. Without these, it could lead to low motivation and disruptive behaviour, which are not education pro characteristics again leading to underachievement amongst Afro Caribbean girls.
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This table clearly analyzes, that Lewisham, south London has the highest amount of lone-parent families.
(Daily Mail, 2012)
(Daily Mail, 2012)
In addition to Cultural Deprivation Afro Caribbean girls are also likely to face Material Deprivation. Afro Caribbean families are more likely than the rest of the population to be at an economic disadvantage and living in poverty compared to white people. A clarification for this could be that within South London ‘31% of black people, reported they were out of work’ (BBC,2010). Another fact concludes that even though the families are lone parents ‘Caribbean women are less likely to manual work, compared to white women’ (Strategy unit, 2003). This is why many Afro-Caribbean girls do not go on to higher education, as they often enter the world of employment as soon as possible to help their families with any financial problems. This could be viewed as another obstacle restricting educational success, as there is evidence, which reinforces low income, which can be a strong predictor in causing low educational performance.
Material depravation can also lead to bullying for example, not being able to afford the right books, stationary and clothing. ‘Girls with Afro Caribbean backgrounds attending schools in South London bullying was an issue in particular it was due to the girls ethnic minorities’ (Besag, 2006: 42). Even though South London has a large Afro-Caribbean community, many girls are still bullied, for example with Racist names being shouted at them by other ethnic groups. This can result in underachievement as this could lead to a loss of self-confidence resulting in time being taken off school and therefore missing valuable information and not being able to catch-up; again causing educational underachievement amongst Afro Caribbean girls.
Material depravation can also lead to bullying for example, not being able to afford the right books, stationary and clothing. ‘Girls with Afro Caribbean backgrounds attending schools in South London bullying was an issue in particular it was due to the girls ethnic minorities’ (Besag, 2006: 42). Even though South London has a large Afro-Caribbean community, many girls are still bullied, for example with Racist names being shouted at them by other ethnic groups. This can result in underachievement as this could lead to a loss of self-confidence resulting in time being taken off school and therefore missing valuable information and not being able to catch-up; again causing educational underachievement amongst Afro Caribbean girls.
![Picture](/uploads/1/9/9/5/19953069/7435359.png?382)
The graph emphasises how within London there is a high unemployment right. Especially in South London, where there is a large percentage of African Caribbean families which could be accountable for the unemployment rate as well.
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London poverty profile, 2012