Socio-Economic Struggles in Barbados: Racism, LGBTQ Rights, and Poverty

Abstract

Socio-Economic Struggles in Barbados. Barbados is a small sovereign island country in the Caribbean and is ranked as one of the best tourist destinations in the world due to its beautiful beaches and dynamic scenery. It is a democratic country with two-party systems: the Democratic Labor Party and the Barbados Labor Party. It has a vast ethnic distribution, including black, white, mixed, and East Indian, which defines its colossal diversification. The country is densely populated and suffers a lot of socio-economic problems. Despite being a democracy, there is vast corruption, lack of government transparency, discrimination, environmental problems, violence, and deeply rooted poverty in the country. According to (Bryan 473), the foundations of Barbados were based on race, class, and poverty. Despite the reforms initiated since then, Barbados still suffers the adversity of social and economic issues. This essay will discuss the socio-economic struggles inherent in Barbados and their influence on the sustainability and development of the island. LGBTQ individuals in Barbados face the adversity of discrimination in the country. The churches and evangelical groups are vocal in opposing same-sex marriage, purporting that LGBTQ cannot stand a chance in the country. This group faces harassment and verbal abuse in the stringent government with strict legislation. The country is the best tourist attraction, and its stance on the human rights issue is a threat to human rights, yet discussions have to be held so that it cannot be blacklisted since it is among the main destinations of the United States and the United Kingdom. The issue of LGBTQ is still a struggle in the country. Anything concerning their existence and rights is still criminalized and wholly forbidden. Achieving LGBTQ rights in Barbados is still a nightmare since decriminalization and addressing discrimination based on sexual relations is tedious since this aspect is not unanimously accepted in the country, and the government institutions are still at loggerheads. The Caribbean islands are rich in diversity due to the vast ethnic groups. Racism and bigotry are unwelcome human characteristics yet still an eminent problem in Barbados. Just like many racist countries in Europe and America, Barbados society lacks relevant policies and measures to educate its citizens on the importance of naturing and growing a healthy society. The population in Barbados is over ninety percent of black Afro-Caribbean individuals, which makes it easier to oversee the amount of discrimination present in the country (Ben- Torres et al. 90). Most of the population in Barbados ignores the aspect of racism, attributing that it is an issue in the past, yet it is evident in the institutions. Ignoring the existence of racism and absorbing it as a standard issue has destroyed the urgency and need to address the issue. Racism has had many Barbadians protest the menace publicly in traditional media. An incident of a white Bajan Man talking ill and making racist rants about the black Barbadians sparked much attention and refuted his unruly behavior in social and traditional media. Discrimination is vast in Barbados, including health issues such as HIV and Aids, white and black issues, gender, sexual orientation, and religion, making discrimination and inequality a milestone to tackle (Frye et al. 258). Human beings learn from their experiences, upbringing, and childhood. Discrimination of people with disabilities is rampant in Barbados, yet there are legislative rules that govern them. People with disabilities are discriminated against in schools and employment, which prompts health issues. The issue of discrimination based on race has alleviated mental health problems since people are doing it without recognizing that they hurt others. Women and girls are also victims of discrimination. Men are more privileged in education and considering educational achievements; more boys graduate than girls in colleges and universities. There is no effective legislation that protects women and girls from violence. Poverty in Barbados is structurally oriented and deeply rooted in its institutions. The Caribbean population has suffered poverty for several decades. Poverty is an investable problem in Barbados, mainly affecting school children, women, and the older population. According to (Naitram et al.), poverty affects the female population primarily at a more significant percentage and also people in urban areas. The vulnerable part of the population needs help, yet the government has not effectively implemented poverty alleviation programs. The measures being put in to alleviate poverty are temporary and do not address the root cause of the problem. Barbados has a low poverty rate in the Caribbean, but its figures are significantly high. In Barbados, society has taught discrimination and racism from a tender age, and it has become a generational legacy that keeps on creating disparities and inconsistencies. Family is the basic unit structure in Barbados society. The structural barriers and the stringent life has prompted many households to remain poor since most relegate to home due to lack of opportunity. Barbados has a high fertility rate, which culminates in an increase in population in households yet resources are limited. Most households ate headed by women, and the lack of support from the fathers of the children escalates more problems in the family. The lack of limited resources in family settings means that children cannot access education and essential services, perpetuating a cycle of economic instability and a generational chasm of poverty. Discrimination in Barbados institutions is prevalent, creating a lack of opportunities o marginalized groups. Most discrimination in Barbados takes place because of age, gender, migrant status, race, or area of residence (Taylor et al. 464). Social networks also determine the rates at which people in Barbados get work, and limited social networks deprive job opportunities. Most youths in Barbados do not have the necessary education to fit in the job market. Most graduates want high-paying jobs, yet the economy is small and local. Lack of employment is an eminent factor, and not lack of opportunities. Most graduates lose hope in the job hunt culminating in poverty and poor living conditions. The Barbados economy is the largest in the eastern Caribbean (Naitram). The recent Covid 19 pandemic contributed to joblessness and poverty in the country. Following the pandemic, Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) attributes that the pandemic greatly destabilized Latin America and the Caribbean. The growth and development of the nation have since dropped due to the impending effects of the pandemic. The pandemic has contributed to structural problems and social impacts. The ECLAC provides that inequality, poverty, low productivity, and structural problems complement the ongoing pandemic in the economic crisis in Barbados. Before the pandemic, Barbados suffered from adverse economic issues that became acute due to Covid 19. Barbados sufferers from stringent policies and bureaucratic systems that hinder embracing technology and investment. Most of Barbados's institutions, including education, health, and industry, need restructuring. The Covid 19 pandemic culminated in social and economic impacts that affected almost all aspects of society. The pandemic caused considerable risks to employment, mental health, disposable income, and education in Barbados (Naitram). Barbados has not achieved social security for its children. Children are vulnerable and suffer poverty, and lack adequate parental care. Child protection and children’s justice are still a problem. Some of the vulnerabilities of children in Barbados include child abuse, neglect, violence, and exploitation. Domestic violence is a significant problem in Barbados, which puts children at risk of experiencing domestic violence. Disabled children in...