in further contrast to the upper and middle sectors, many lower-sector households in belize city are headed by single parents, usually women. female workers generally receive lower incomes than their male counterparts, and women experience a much higher unemployment rate than men. in numerous cases, migration of both parents results in children being raised by siblings, older relatives, or friends of the family. some of the more privileged members of belizean society perceive that increases in juvenile delinquency, crime, and drug use among belizean urban youth are directly attributable to breakdowns in family structure.