Citing one of many examples, Dr Ishmael reminded the OECS Human Development Report advisory committee, that problems associated with youth, particularly male under-achievement can deeply affect beyond the family system in the OECS and wider Caribbean. Experts identify the family as the most important agent of socialization and a significant asset to social stability: “The woman comes back home with a degree. Inevitably she gets married to the guy who dropped out of high school who was the boyfriend who did not go to college. Things are ok until the first child comes along then he abuses her because everything has been bought by her; she has bought the car, she has paid down on the mortgage. He hardly does very much by way of contribution to the household. Within three years the marriage is out because the woman feels that she has been carrying the load and she is holding on to nothing and she moves on. We see this already repeating itself throughout our Member States. So it’s not just an issue of our young men. It’s not just the issue that they are dropping out of high school. It’s not only the issue of crime and criminal behaviour. But it has really profound implications for what happens with young family formation in the OECS and of course those implications will be long term.”-Len Ishmael

The OECS Director General also expressed her concerns about challenges facing youth within the context of the OECS Youth Initiative. The OECS Youth Initiative, mandated by the OECS Authority to enhance the process towards youth development also falls under the OECS Social Policy Unit. The OECS Social Policy Unit is also responsible for Social Policy Formulation among its core functions. The next OECS Human Development Repost is expected to be ready by September 2008.