Masculinities and Criminal Violence in Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago

This paper summarises and complements a recent research project in Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago implemented by the Caribbean Male Action Network (CariMAN) titled ‘Masculinities and Criminal Violence: Bridging the Gap Between Research and Policy and Practice’ commissioned by the United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). The CariMAN study was based on a survey of 1,577 incarcerated and non-incarcerated men using the International Men and Gender Equity Survey (IMAGES) methodology, as well as qualitative/life history interviews with 23 men and 13 women in the two countries. All men in the incarcerated sample were imprisoned for violent crimes. The research focused on men’s attitudes to gender equality, gender role expectations, gender-based violence (GBV) and gun ownership as well as their own family relationships. The findings and recommendations of the CariMAN study were then used as the basis for this WPS Helpdesk paper in order to draw out key findings as well as contrast and triangulate them with other research on these issues in the two countries.