BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) — A study commissioned by the Barbados Government to mark the island’s 50th anniversary of political independence has found that citizens are deeply concerned about the level of violence “creeping into society” and are anxious to see it stopped as soon as possible.

The study titled “Barbados At 50: The National Values Assessment 2016”, was handed over to Prime Minister Freundel Stuart last month by Dr Don Marshall, the director at the Sir Arthur Lewis Institute of Social and Economic Studies, of The University of the West Indies (UWI).

The study had indicated then that Barbadians had an inclination towards an American values system and, according to the findings of the full study that was released here on Monday, violence is among the top priorities for Barbadians, followed by crime and gangs, drug abuse and guns.

The study was commissioned last year during the Independence celebrations and Prime Minister Stuart said his Administration is committed to creating an inclusive Barbados where people can realise their aspirations.

The national survey, conducted between January and March of this year, captured the views of more than 1,000 respondents, representing a wide cross section of Barbadians.

Respondents also highlighted intolerance, adoption of other cultures, gossiping and substance abuse among vices which they said the country had not lost, but needed to quickly discard.

The study noted that on the issue of those values the respondents wanted the society to hold on to, t being loyal to family was most important, followed by being thrifty and being hard-working, showing courage and being hospitable.

However, being charitable, responsible for personal actions, tolerant towards different beliefs, modest, and being forgiving were less important, based on the responses.

The survey also targeted educational institutions, including sixth forms, the Samuel Jackman Prescod Polytechnic, and the UWI.

In addition to assessing values, the survey also sought to establish how they have changed over time.

The top three areas where increases were seen over time were with having material possessions, owning a vehicle and having social networks, while the greatest declines were seen in terms of respecting older generations, knowing your neighbours and obeying the law.

However, while having a job is still very important to Barbadians, marriage is not. Being religious was also rated as moderately important.

Marshall also commented on how Barbadians viewed the issue of tolerance, noting that while “we might be tolerant of people with alternative lifestyles… that’s not to say we are embracing them.

“So tolerance in one sense may appear to be a value to engender and embolden, but at the same time tolerance is arm’s length that otherises other people and just gives them respect by way of tolerating them.

“Maybe that’s not the way the society should go,” he told the ceremony.

Prime Minister Stuart had said the study was commissioned, not for academic purposes, but for policymaking and charting a future for the country.