Social Class and Child Welfare: Intertwining Issues of Redistribution and Recognition

Abstract

By the end of the 20th century, social class appeared to be an old-fashioned and outdated concept. Serious doubts were expressed about the theoretical and empirical relevance of social class in understanding inequalities in contemporary society. However, experiences from completing research with children and families receiving support from child welfare services shows that applying a class perspective is useful. The purpose of our study was to explore the redistributive and cultural dimensions of social class in the context of child welfare. The data include survey interviews with 715 families in contact with the Norwegian child welfare services (CWS). We found that social class is important but with different effects compared with the industrial society. Our analysis highlighted the problems children and families involved with CWS face, associated with social inequalities based on class differences. We argue that social class is part of the social dynamic of late modern societies, and that this dynamic intertwines with the lives of families in CWS and the problem complexes they encounter in everyday life.

Exploring normative complexity: (How) does the life history interview work in child welfare research?

“…They had experienced complex problems for quite some time, problems who in many cases relate to social inequality. As mentioned above, our analysis paid special attention to the problems rooted in social inequality, which is part of the ‘wicked problems’ of many families in contact with child welfare services in Norway (Fauske et al., 2018). Parents with a lower class affiliation constitute a significant part of the clientele within child welfare services and, based on class background, we can ask whether the life history interview really fits all.…”

Suicidality among children and youth in Nordic child welfare services: A systematic review

“…Hjern et al (2004) noted large SES differences, with the lowest score for parents of long-term foster children compared to parents of intercountry adoptees. In Norway, children of families with low SES are overrepresented in the CWS system (Fauske et al 2018;Kojan, 2011). Katz et al (2011) note that 51% of children and youth experiencing out-of-home care had parents with one or several psychosocial problems (including admittance to a psychiatric hospital) and thus an elevated prevalence of ACEs compared to parents of children receiving other CWS interventions and to the general population.…”

Motherhood in Context—Life Course Interviews with Young Mothers in Contact with Child Welfare

“…However, when one does not give attention to contextual and situating factors and how such factors influence the mothering practices, failure to live up to idealized parenting standards may be understood and treated as just an individual incapacity and foster stereotypical beliefs about deficit parenting and othering (Fauske et al 2018).…”

“…Research on the complexities and nuances of the lived experience of parents in contact with child welfare is in demand. Often, structural issues and the parents' own resources and perspectives on their parenting are not taken into consideration (Macvarish 2010;Bunting et al 2015;Fauske et al 2018;Dunkerley 2017). There seems to be a particular need for more knowledge about those nuances and complexities that tend to maintain and reproduce disadvantage, and that affect whole families, and not merely the young father or mother Also, eliciting and discussing the complexity and nuances in the life situation of young mothers requires a deeper understanding of the historical time that frames the storytelling.…”