South Asian immigrants' experience of child protection services: are we recognizing strengths and resilience?

Abstract

Ethno‐racial minority families who come in contact with child protection services face unique challenges that include different ideas about appropriate child rearing practices, possibly different definitions of child maltreatment, the possibility of racial biases and service provision that does not address their particular needs. Ethno‐racial minority immigrants encounter additional barriers to services associated with the challenges of settlement in a new cultural environment. Although considerable research has explored these issues, knowledge of the experiences of ethno‐racial families who have been in contact with child protection is limited. The current paper provides insights from a qualitative study that explored the experiences of one ethno‐racial group (South Asians) in Canada. Findings suggest a variety of reasons that families come into contact with the child protection system, and the characteristics of the sample highlight their difficult financial and employment circumstances. Themes include participants' desire to be better informed about the reasons for child protection involvement and about what they can expect from the worker and the agency. They also identified a wish for services that not only recognize their cultural diversity but also respond to the needs of the whole family. In‐home services were especially appreciated. The findings reveal the resilience and personal agency among participants that can be enhanced through strength‐based approaches to practice. Helping others, establishing community networks and developing needed services were avenues of resilience identified.

Mauvais traitements allégués à l’égard d’enfants issus de la diversité ethnoculturelle : nature des signalements à la protection de la jeunesse, de leurs évaluations et typologie des familles signalées

“…La littérature nous renseigne sur l'importance du contexte familial dans les interventions de protection et tout particulièrement pour les familles issues de la diversité ethnoculturelle (Fontes, 2005 ;Dettlaff et Rycraft, 2008 ;Maiter et Stalker, 2011). Cependant, plusieurs barrières peuvent entraver l'action des intervenants et le bien-être des enfants et de leur famille.…”

“…Certains auteurs mettent en avant l'importance d'une compétence et d'une sensibilité culturelles dans l'intervention. Une connaissance plus globale et plus complète de la situation ainsi que l'établissement d'une relation de confiance dans les premiers contacts entre les intervenants et la famille favorisent un meilleur arrimage entre les besoins et les interventions (Fontes, 2005 ;Maiter et Stalker, 2011 ;Dufour et al, 2012). Certains auteurs travaillant sur le sujet suggèrent l'utilisation d'outils adaptés aux familles issues de la diversité ethnoculturelle, comme des grilles pour soutenir l'évaluation culturellement sensible (Fontes, 2005 ;Pine et Drachman, 2005), le développement de partenariats avec des organismes de la communauté ou des rencontres du cercle familial (Family Group…”

Precarious participation: Exploring ethnic minority youth's narratives about out-of-home placement in Norway

“…On the one hand, acknowledging the potential negative effects (risks) parents' behavior can have on children's wellbeing, as well as their participatory opportunities in society, is a crucial prerequisite for the safeguarding of children. On the other hand, if such "risk" discourses are one-sidedly informed by "Norwegian", middleclass and developmental psychological frames of reference, some parents' resources and skills might be overlooked (Faircloth, Hoffman, & Layne, 2013;Maiter & Stalker, 2011). A potential consequence in the CWS context might be that social workers do not give sufficient weight to the views of parents with ethnic minority backgrounds and decisions might be biased or taken too quickly (Fylkesnes et al, 2017).…”

Migrant families with children in Montreal, Canada and transnational family support: a protocol for a focused ethnography

“…Children are often central to migrants’ decision to migrate, and the education, health and future of their children are of the utmost importance 4 8. Loss of social support networks, experiences of discrimination and racism, a lack of employment and housing, a shift in social status, adapting to a new culture and language, and barriers in accessing education, health and social services, however, can have important effects on the well-being of migrant parents and their children 4 8 12 31–44. Parents face financial constraints, are preoccupied with work and therefore have insufficient time and money for raising their children 4 35 44.…”