The Intersection of Gender, Culture and Education: Jamaica: The Next 50 Years!

The world is ageing rapidly. The United Nations (UN) states that by 2050, it is estimated that 1 in every 6 people will be aged 65 or over, increasing the vulnerability experienced by older persons to violence. Unfortunately, abuse of elders is also on the increase. Elder abuse can lead to serious physical injuries and long-term psychological consequences. The fact, elder abuse is not confined to elders who are institutionalized. Many older persons are abuse in their own homes. Abuse oftentimes is not physical since those are more readily observed by family member and health care professionals. Abuses of elders frequently take the form of psychological ill-treatment. In many instances, those who work with elders are not paid well. In fact, many are not trained to work with older persons. Elder abuse can also take the form of financial mismanagement of the resources of the older persons. In some societies elders are revered and respected. On the other hand, there are societies where...

Globally, it is estimated that one in seven (14%) of 10–19-year-olds experience mental health conditions, yet these remain largely unrecognized and untreated. The World Health Organization (WHO) adds that adolescents with mental health conditions are particularly vulnerable to social exclusion, discrimination, stigma (affecting readiness to seek help), educational difficulties, risk-taking behaviours, physical ill-health and human rights violations. Adolescence is a crucial period for developing social and emotional habits important for mental well-being. These include adopting healthy sleep patterns; exercising regularly; developing coping, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills; and learning to manage emotions. Protective and supportive environments in the family, at school and in the wider community are important. However, there are many factors that can impact the holistic development during adolescence. The WHO comments that multiple factors affect mental health. Importantly...

“Black dandyism is the strategic and often subversive use of style by people of African descent to assert individuality, challenge stereotypes, and reimagine black identity.”- Jonathan Michael Square- Professor of Black Visual Culture. Black history is oftentimes obscured and or manipulated. We live in an era where misinformation and disinformation are the order of the day. Unfortunately, many of us have succumbed to this skewed view of reality. Regrettably even the so called educated among us no longer do their due diligence. A lot has been said about dandyism, in particular black dandyism. Correspondingly a lot of what has been said is a distortion of the historical underpinning of this movement. Undoubtedly, the distortion regarding dandyism is rooted in a culture of enslavement, racism and white privilege. Black men have long used fashion, particularly flamboyant styles, as a way to express pride and resistance. Oftentimes this resistance is viewed as a powerful political statem...