Socio‐genealogical connectedness, attachment theory, and childcare practice

Abstract

At the heart of child welfare policy and practice are issues of loss and separation, issues of loss and discontinuity of parent–child or carer–child ties. Consequently, John Bowlby’s ideas concerning attachment have been influential in this field over the past 50 years. This paper argues that the society in which Bowlby originally developed his ideas has altered greatly; in Western societies, family dynamics have changed remarkably, and continue to change. The present paper therefore argues that these ideas may not adequately address the developmental needs of to‐day’s children. Hence, it puts forward the notion of socio‐genealogical connectedness to complement our existing knowledge and understanding of the psycho‐social developmental needs of modern‐day children. The notion's implications for policy and practice are also highlighted.

The rhetoric versus the reality: a critical perspective on practice with fathers in child care and protection work

“…In their study of children in lone parent families, Owusu‐Bempah & Howitt (1997) suggest a link between their general well‐being and the amount and quality of information they had about the absent parent. He attributes this to everyone’s need for a sense of ‘socio‐genealogical connectedness’ which does not depend on contact with the parent, or on an emotional attachment to them, rather it is the information that is the crucial variable.…”

Post‐adoption reunion sibling relationships: factors facilitating and hindering the development of sensitive relationships following reunion in adulthood

“…These researchers suggest that an important factor is not only the amount of information that children need, but also that such information needs to be positive or at least not damaging (Owusu-Bempah & Howitt 1997). This information may be gleaned from relatives and if the information is favourable, it is likely to be incorporated into the young person's sense of identity (Owusu-Bempah 2006). In the context of the current study, knowledge about birth parents may be provided to adopted people by the birth siblings they meet in adult life, or alternatively, knowledge about birth parents may be shared by adopted people when both have been placed for adoption.…”

The rhetoric vs. the reality in child care and protection: ideology and practice in working with fathers

“…As part of the process of breaking the cycle of expectations, health visitors can play a vital role in exploring explicitly what the father may be able to offer the child, regardless of any relationship with the mother. For example, if the child protection referral has arisen due to an adolescent ‘acting out’ because of identity problems, there can be a role for an absent father to answer questions about the child’s heritage ( Owusu‐Bempah & Howitt 1997).…”