Newcomer parents with child welfare histories: dilemmas of caring and control

Abstract

ABSTRACT This article presents findings from a qualitative study with parents of four Saskatchewan newcomer families (both immigrants and refugees) in central Canada on their interactions with child welfare services. We collected data through in-depth individual interviews with parents to understand their first encounters with child welfare authorities during the first 5 years of their settlement in Canada. None of the participants had any prior experiences of child protection services in their home countries. Our purpose was to gather data on ways to enhance collaboration and partnership between parents and child welfare services so as to ensure the safety and well-being of newcomer children and their families. Drawing on Foucault’s notions of governmentality about how state structures direct the conduct of individuals and groups, this study resulted in three findings: 1) perceptions on state interventions; 2) ambivalences about motherhood; and 3) working differently within the state. We conclude that negative experiences with social workers disempower newcomer parents and call for identification of ways to enhance information sharing between child protection services and immigrant communities in order to effectively protect immigrant children. We discuss practical suggestions for enhancing collaboration between child protection services and immigrant communities.