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Below is an article discussing the problem of Child marriage, where Deyalsingh states that its rather a gender problem than a religious one. From what was learnt in this course, it is of the opinion that it is both. He stated four religions, Christian, Muslim, Hinduism, Orisha ,sta

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Caribbean Civilisation

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This portfolio reflects facts and opinions on the issues related to religion and it's impact on Caribbean Identity. There will be four objectives that it touches on . These objectives are, an issue important to Caribbean Civilisation, a current affairs issue and understanding of the environments related to what have been studied in the course , and my reflection of Caribbean studies itself. The Objectives are based on religion and gender, child marriage and geographic environment - Trinidad and Tobago and social environment - roman catholic church, where I have used my self recorded video.  All religions had rules and regulations and today, millions of people still follow them. Currently, there continues to be many social issues surrounding the institution called religion and consequently, religion has undoubtedly impacted modern Caribbean Identity.

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Critical Thinking of an issue of Importance to Caribbean Civilisation

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Religion has had a great impact on how society view and treat women. Christianity is one religion that identifies with this. From the Bible, specifically the Old Testament, it illustrates women as housewives or domestic workers; stating also that they must obey their husbands. While husbands were to be the workers or the breadwinners of the family. As Christianity traveled and spread through the Caribbean so did the values, and of today the gender roles are debatable. Although the Christian faiths today have good morals and values of how to treat their women, other religions such as Hinduism or the Muslim religion, have a different idea. For instance, it is tradition in some of these families to marry off their young daughter to an older man of good fortune. In 2016/2017 there has been a debate on whether it should be illegal for these young girls to be wed to these older men.

Below is an article discussing the problem of Child marriage, where Deyalsingh states that its rather a gender problem than a religious one. From what was learnt in this course, it is of the opinion that it is both. He stated four religions, Christian, Muslim, Hinduism, Orisha ,stating that these religions aren't the issue, rather being a female is the problem. All these religions he stated all speak about men being the head of houses and females, the housewives. Most of these religions it is tradition to marrying off young girls. So it is no doubt that it is also a religious problem. Deyalsingh also mentioned equality among men and women, saying that child marriage shows that people view women as lower human beings compared to men. According to this course, this has been a fact since before slavery, but it all started with religion.

March 4, 2017:

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Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh says child marriage is a gender issue and not a religious one.

He made the comment during his contribution to yesterday's House of Representatives debate on a bill to increase the legal marriage age to 18. It was presented by Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi.

Deyalsingh said child marriage is a widespread violation of human rights and not a religious issue.

"This is not a Christian issue, not a Muslim issue, not a Hindu issue and not an Orisha issue," the minister added.

"This is boiling down to a gender issue."

Without calling names, Deyalsingh said some people were attempting to make it a religious issue.

Secretary General of the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha, Satnarayan Maharaj, continues to be among those who strongly oppose the increase in the legal minimum age for marriage.

Yesterday, Deyalsingh said the issue of child marriage "affects young girls more than young boys," and by allowing children to be married under the age of 18 "tells young girls that we place a lower value on you as a human being and we refuse to see you as being equal to men."

He said the young girls should be given the equal footing as that of men.

Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, Ayanna Webster-Roy, who is the mother of two girls, in her contribution, said the legislation should be given unanimous support in the interest of the girls of the nation.

Opposition MP Rushton Paray said the Opposition fully supported the increase in the minimum age to 18, but said certain conditions should apply for girls wishing to marry under 18.

He also expressed concern about the removal of the requirement for a special three/fifths majority vote for passage. He said he wanted to know why the Government did not remove the special majority vote for passage of other important legislation, including the FATCA bill.

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A gender issue, not a religious one-Deyalsingh

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Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh says child marriage is a gender issue and not a religious one. He made the comment during his contribution to yesterday's House of Representatives debate on a bill to increase the legal marriage age to 18. It was p

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June 2011:

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Application of learning in Caribbean Civilisation, to students’ understanding of their social or geographical environment.

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Social Environment - Chaguanas Roman Catholic Church 

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Social Environment - Chaguanas Roman Catholic Church 

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The importance of religion in shaping the Caribbean today cannot be overlooked. According to FOUN 1011, during slavery there was a mix of people congregating in the Caribbean and from that mix, came different cultures and diverse religions. Africans first had their religions or worships, some of which were related to witchcraft and there were Natives who also had their different religions that were somewhat like the Africans. Then came the Europeans who brought to the Caribbean a religion called Christianity and forced it upon the slaves with a view to influencing law and order in the communities. By teaching these slaves about a Christian God, change came about. Subsequently, slavery was abolished and Christianity branched out from Roman Catholicism to several other religions, such as the Spiritual Baptist which had traces of African or native heritage. Additionally, when indenture-ship was established other religions were brought to the Caribbean, for instance, Hinduism.
In this video below , what is shown is a Roman Catholic celebration of the rise of Jesus Christ on Glorious Saturday into Easter Sunday. What is shown is how everyone has gotten together as a community to celebrate our God. Additionally you can see how it is not related in anyway to African religions. Most African religions are very loud and they worship a different God to Christians , therefore not celebrating the death and rise of Jesus.

April 2017:

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Geographic Environment - Trinidad and Tobago 

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Geographic Environment - Trinidad and Tobago 

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History , Politics, Society and Geography all identify Trinidad and Tobago as a Caribbean Country. Based on geography a Caribbean country is identified by being surrounded by the Caribbean sea, calling it the Caribbean Basin, In the picture below you can see that Trinidad and Tobago is surrounded by the Caribbean sea.

Trinidad and Tobago was once linked to South America but due to Andean movements three islands, Trinidad, Tobago and Barbados were formed. You can see in the picture how close Trinidad is to Venezuela. The Caribbean is broken up into two parts, the Greater and the Lesser Antilles. Trinidad and Tobago is part of the Lesser Antilles shown by the picture below. Trinidad and Tobago is also found on the Caribbean plate shown in the second picture below. Thus, based on geography, Trinidad and Tobago is a Caribbean island.

On the other hand, Trinidad and Tobago is one of the islands that Christianity and other forms of religions were brought to. Today it is a diverse in religions and that brings its culture. Trinidad and Tobago was also named after the Holy Trinity by Christopher Columbus himself.

June 2009:

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Continue - Geographic Environment - Trinidad and Tobago

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Continue - Geographic Environment - Trinidad and Tobago

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5 May 2015:

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Child Marriage - Religion, Family, Education

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Child Marriage - Religion, Family, Education

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Child marriage has become a growing concern in the Caribbean region, especially in Trinidad and Tobago. Based on what was learnt in this course on religion, family and education. It is obvious that child marriage should not be encouraged period.

The video below shows a debate in the senate about child marriage. According to the Ctv news of 2016/2017, over 160 girls were impregnated. It is firstly illegal to have sexual intercourse with persons under the age of 18. There are many reasons why this is illegal, as these girls are not physically, emotionally, and mentally ready to bare children.

According to this course, child marriage has been a tradition of the past and so has an impact today. This tradition is prominent in Hindu and Islamic religions as well as the Orisha religion.

It is of the belief that family as well as education plays an important role in preventing these marriages. Based on what has been learnt in this course, development first starts at the home, then furthers at school. Therefore, family, education and religion are important factors when it comes to this issue of child marriages.

11 Jan 2017:

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Debate On Child Marriage Opens In Senate, AG Reveals Over 160 Girls Impregnated In 2016

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Attorney General Faris Al Rawi revealed that over 160 girls between the ages 12 and 16 were impregnated in this country last year.

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Application of learning in the course to understanding a problem of regional importance as reflected in news and current affairs literature/programs in the region.

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Self-evaluation of learning for the semester.

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By doing History and Caribbean Studies for CAPE , this course was familiar in some ways. The assignments were a bit on the edge at first, but after fully understanding and putting them into action, it was enjoyable. A lot more was learnt of Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean as a region by doing this course which gave the ability to fully appreciate  Caribbean history.

Additionally, the availability of face to face tutorials and being able to chose whether you preferred to do them online or in class were fantastic. Also, the online lectures were not particularly enjoyable as there were a few hiccups . The first few times of using the "blackboard collaborate" were a bit frustrating. Trying to decipher how to operate it was a task and it gave trouble a few times in starting at 6pm. As a result many persons had to wait a while for the recorded session.

Moreover, the topics Slavery, Religion and Gender were truly intriguing being a roman catholic, a woman, and having slave ancestors. Secondly, learning the concept of civilization was interesting, as most people had a particular definition in mind, rather than its deeper and true meaning. Unit 4 - 6 were the most informative topics of how the Caribbean was shaped and distinguished. Overall, the entire course was brilliant.

Thus, FOUN 1011 was developing in terms of understanding and learning about Caribbean Identity. Thus, this course is essential to all students, especially those of the Caribbean. It will absolutely benefit persons in future years personally and career wise.

April 2017:

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1. Lord, Richard. "Guardian News." 4 March 2017.   http://www.guardian.co.tt/news/2017-03-04/gender-issue-not-religious-one%E2%80%94deyalsingh. 10 April 2017.
2. Debate On Child Marriage Opens In Senate, AG Reveals Over 160 Girls Impregnated In 2016. Dir. Cnews. 2017. Youtube.

3. Sinclair, Stephanie. Too Young To Wed.

4. Stirling, James. The coast of Venezuela (South America), Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados.

5. The Caribbean Plate.

6. University of the West Indies.

7. VID-20170416-WA0040. Dir. Francesca Wilson. 2017. Phone.