What could explain the dramatic rise in out-of-home placement in Finland in the 1990s and early 2000s?

Abstract

Objectives Despite exceptionally favourable economic conditions and school children's outstanding educational attainment the number of children placed outside their home in Finland has increased rapidly in the 1990s and early 2000s. This study identifies factors that are related to a child's risk of placement outside the home in Finland and tries to explore possible explanations for an increase in the share of children placed outside the home. Methods A regression analysis was applied to study the share of children placed outside the home and suggested risk factor indicators on sub-regional level. The use of sub-regional data from SOTKAnet indicator bank allowed us to test indicators for seven areas, namely family structure (single parenthood), receipt of social assistance, unemployment, parents' alcohol and substance abuse, parents' mental health, domestic violence and abortion. Educational level, number of social workers and domestic migration were included as background factors. Results Child placement outside home in Finland is most clearly associated with long-term economic hardships. However, the results indicate that the rate of change in the share of children placed outside the home is associated with alcohol and substance abuse. Conclusions The results suggest that the Finnish success story as a world leader in children's issues has a darker side. A change in the distribution of welfare in Finland seems to place the children in the margin of the society into a more disadvantaged position.