Jamaicas Barrel Children Growing up when a parent is a plane ride away

Summary

This transcript highlights the emotional impact of migration on children in Jamaica, often referred to as 'barrel children.' These are kids left behind when their parents migrate for economic opportunities, receiving material goods but lacking emotional support. Clinical social worker Dr. Claudette Crawford Brown explains how this separation can cause feelings of sadness, worthlessness, and psychological pain. Personal stories, like those of Lashon Reed and Kellie Lindo, show how parental absence affects children’s emotional well-being, often straining relationships despite regular communication. The video emphasizes the need for better communication and involvement in children's lives during such separations.

Takeaways

• 🌍 Many children in Jamaica, referred to as 'barrel children,' are left behind when their parents migrate for better economic opportunities.
• 📦 The term 'barrel children' comes from the shipping containers used to send material goods like shoes, clothing, and food from abroad, but these items cannot replace emotional support.
• 💔 The absence of parents has a deep emotional and psychological impact on children, leading to feelings of worthlessness, sadness, and loneliness.
• 👩‍🏫 Dr. Claudette Crawford Brown, who coined the term in the 1990s, emphasizes that material goods alone are insufficient, and the emotional effects of separation can last a lifetime.
• 🧠 Dr. Brown advocates for preparing children for separation and ensuring consistent communication, urging parents to involve children in the process of migration through family meetings.
• 🎨 Jamaican artist Kellie Linda uses her artwork to explore the emotional impact of being a 'barrel child,' describing how her relationship with her parents became distant after their migration.
• 📞 Regular communication through calls or video chats helps some children maintain a connection, but for others, it’s not enough to fill the emotional void caused by parental absence.
• 🎨 Linda’s artwork aims to spark conversations about how parental absence affects not just childhood but an individual's entire life.
• 👨‍👧‍👦 Lashon Reed, a 15-year-old boy whose father moved to Canada when he was 8, describes feeling lonely despite having other family members around.
• 📱 The importance of communication, staying involved in a child’s life, and showing emotional support is emphasized as critical for maintaining a strong parent-child bond, even across distances.

Q & A

What are 'barrel children'?

'Barrel children' are children in Jamaica and other Caribbean countries who are left behind by parents who migrate abroad for economic opportunities. The term reflects the fact that these children often receive material goods, such as food, clothing, and shoes, sent in barrels from their parents, but they lack emotional nurturance and consistent parental care.

How does migration impact 'barrel children' emotionally?

Migration can have deep emotional effects on barrel children, including feelings of worthlessness, sadness, and loneliness. These emotional scars can last a lifetime, as they grow up without the emotional support and presence of their parents, despite receiving material goods.

Who coined the term 'barrel children' and why?

Dr. Claudette Crawford Brown, a clinical social worker, coined the term 'barrel children' in the early 1990s. She wanted to highlight the emotional and psychological effects of migration on children left behind in the Caribbean, focusing on how material support is not enough to fill the emotional void created by parental absence.

What role does communication play in maintaining relationships between migrant parents and their children?

Communication is essential in maintaining a connection between migrant parents and their children. However, it needs to be consistent and meaningful. Dr. Brown emphasizes the importance of preparing children before migration and keeping them involved in family decisions to mitigate the emotional impact.

How does Lashon Reed, a barrel child, feel about his father's absence?

Lashon Reed, a 15-year-old whose father migrated to Canada when he was 8, feels lonely despite living with his mother, stepmother, and brothers. He mentions that communication with his father is infrequent and that if he doesn’t call, his father won’t call either, which deepens his sense of isolation.

What are some ways that Dr. Brown helps children like Lashon cope with parental absence?

Dr. Brown mentors children through play and art therapy to help them express their emotions and cope with the absence of their parents. She has also implemented similar programs in schools across Jamaica to provide emotional support to children affected by migration.

How has Maisie Ains’ family been affected by migration?

Maisie Ains’ mother left Jamaica two decades ago to work as a nurse in Canada. Although her absence provided financial support for the family, allowing Maisie to go to school and support her grandparents, Maisie maintains close communication with her mother, speaking daily via video calls.

How does artist Kellie Ann Lindo reflect her experience as a barrel child in her work?

Kellie Ann Lindo, whose parents left Jamaica for the U.S. when she was 8, creates art inspired by her experience as a barrel child. Her work reflects the emotional distance and the strain on her relationship with her mother, noting that despite loving her mother, the closeness her mother desires is not present due to their separation during her formative years.

Why is migration likely to continue in the Caribbean despite its emotional impact?

Migration will likely continue in the Caribbean because it remains a viable path out of economic hardship for many families. The financial support provided by those who migrate is crucial for the survival and betterment of their families back home, even though it creates emotional challenges for children left behind.

What advice is given to parents regarding communication with children left behind?

Parents are encouraged to maintain regular communication with their children and to be actively involved in their lives. They should speak often, be aware of their children's emotional states, and involve them in family decisions to foster emotional closeness and reduce the negative impact of separation.