The ‘Pedagogical Climate’ in St. Maarten

Abstract

This study is an attempt to describe and analyse the general pedagogical climate in St. Maarten. The pedagogical climate contains the parenting style(s) of the parents, how the environment plays a role in guiding the children and what the culture and beliefs are around child-rearing. A mixed-method design was used to examine the pedagogical climate. Questionnaires were distributed among parents (n = 143), teachers (n = 65), employees of children’s foundations (n = 8) and sport associations (n = 9). Interviews were held with governmental entities (n = 9), priests (n = 2), heads of primary schools (n = 16) and coaches of sports organisations (n = 3). The results show a lot of different parenting styles under the participants: 37.1% of the parents has a clear authoritative parenting style and 10.5% has an authoritarian parenting style. Most teachers have a combination of the authoritative and authoritarian style. Furthermore, there is a gap between the home and school culture. Parents have to work in order to live; therefore, the children receive little structure and quality time at home with the parents.