My mother would allow me to accompany her whilst she visited her friends and would also take me to parties and gatherings. This was not accepted by my step father as he saw it as disrespectful for others to see a mother and daughter socialising together as we are not of the same status. It was not the norm a mother and daughter to be seen out like that. It also became a norm that when there were adult visitors in the house, my brother and I would make ourselves scarce and would rarely talk unless spoken to. Jamaican parents see the status of children as nominal in comparison to their own.
Part 1B
The way in which individuals are socialised into the Jamaican culture is quite traditional; it happens through the teachings from the parents, older siblings, family and the local community. The way in which individuals learn to understand the desired way in which to function in the culture, is through positive and negative sanctions. The types of sanctions used are generally informal as the culture is based more on morals rather than law, and are administered by the family and community, not by specific enforcement agencies.
The mothers teach the daughters their roles, by ensuring that whenever they are completing household tasks that they are there to watch and learn. When a mother thinks that her daughter is capable of completing the tasks single-handedly, she will then set the daughter tasks, such as preparing Sunday dinner. Giving the daughter responsibility can be a positive sanction as it shows that the daughter is growing mature and can also be trusted. However in some circumstances, completing household tasks can be used as a negative sanction for bad behaviour, whether the child is a boy or girl. In some instances the child may not want to complete household tasks and, in this instance, the negative sanctions are used. These can vary from being shouted at, to being grounded.
In the case of cooking, as mentioned, many daughters see it as a positive sanction to be asked to cook. Also to be given time to spend doing activities of your own choice is a positive sanction for good behaviour. Positive sanctions also come in the form of material gifts; these same gifts can be taken away as a negative sanction. The negative sanctions usually only occur in the case of bad behaviour, whether that be in the eyes of your family or members of the local community.
Part 2A
My first job, when I finished 6th form, was working as a cashier at Natwest Bank. It was very unusual for me as the norms were very different to those that I was used to following in 6th form.
The values surrounding the banking environment were very formal. Ensuring that thet customers had an efficient, secure, banking service was a core value; it was a norm for all staff to follow the necessary security procedures, e.g. checking photo I.D. Having a smart appearance was also a value of Natwest, so the expected norm was to attend work in your designated uniform. This norm varied between male and female members of staff; whilst it was the norm for women to wear light blue, it was the norm for men to wear navy blue. The value of providing a ‘pleasant’ environment was fulfilled by all members of staff speaking using a polite tone and standard English. It would not be the norm to walk into the bank and hear staff using profanities. The ‘secure banking’ value was also demonstrated, by the security procedures followed, when opening or closing the bank. It was a norm for different memebes of staff, regardless of status, to have different sets of keys to different areas of the bank. So, for instance, it would be against the norm (and procedures) for one member of staff to have both keys to the safe. Good time-keeping is also a value, so it would be the norm to be punctual. This was for security reasons too.
Membes of staff could not discuss the customers details outside of the banking environment. The status of each member of staff determined what information they know about the customer. For example a customer advisor would not know the last transaction a customer made, but a cashier would; a cashier would not know if the customer could have a loan, but a customer advisor would. The status of each member of staff is also identifiable by their position on the bank floor. The cashiers hold quite a low status and so are confined behind the cashiers desk, whereas the customer advisors are of a higher status and will be found towards the front of the bank. They are also not confined to one area, whereas it would be against the norm to see a cashier wondering around the bank. The bank manager has the highest status and this is shown by the freedom they have to wonder the bank floor and conversate freely with customers whereas other staff did not have this pleasure.
Part 2B
New members of staff are socialised by the other members of staff, and their progress is shown by positive and negative sanctions. The sanctions can vary between formal and informal, they usually begin with the latter. If, for instance, a member of staff is late, other members of staff would use disappointed glances, or sarcastic comments to negatively sanction the employee. The employee then, hopefully, is not late again. If it is a reoccurring problem then the sanction can become formal in the form of a verbal or written warning.
In the banking environment there are specific procedures that have to be followed when a person goes against the norms. The extent of the misconduct determines the type of sanction. For instance, in the case of theft, there would be no informal sanction, this would go straight to a formal negative sanction that could result in dismissal. Dismissal is the worst formal negative sanction that can be administered, and this is the sanction feared most by staff and so is avoided. Positive sanctions take the form of promotions, or recognition at staff meetings. Sometimes there are actual gifts as positive sanctions for a good days work. In terms of targets, if they are met, then the bank will give a formal positive sanction in the form of a bonus included with your monthly pay. This is the positive sanction that everyone strives for, not only for the extra money, but because it shows that you are competent in your job.
