Reunification Process Research Articles

Między obawą a nadzieją- poszukiwanie nowej roli zjednoczonych Niemiec na arenie międzynarodowej. Zarys debaty polityków i intelektualistów w pierwszej połowie lat 90-tych

W wyniku zjednoczenia Niemiec w 1990 r. powstało największe i najludniejsze państwo Unii Europejskiej. Ze względu na przeszłość Niemiec oraz fakt, że proces jednoczenia przebiegał zaskakująco szybko, pytania o rolę, ambicje międzynarodowe zjednoczonych Niemiec stały się istotnym elementem ówczesnej debaty międzynarodowej. Przede wszystkim na to pytanie musieli odpowiedzieć sami Niemcy. Artykuł przedstawia debatę polityków i wybranych intelektualistów (przede wszystkim politologów, ekonomistów), która odbyła się w Niemczech w pierwszych 5 latach po zjednoczeniu. Ukazuje najważniejsze osie sporu, odmienne wizje roli Niemiec oraz sprzeczne oczekiwania międzynarodowych aktorów. W ostatnim fragmencie przedstawiono również ówczesną krytykę konkretnych działań rządu niemieckiego na arenie międzynarodowej, która odzwierciedla ambiwalentne, nierzadko sprzeczne oczekiwania wobec zjednoczonych Niemiec.

A department under siege: How Philosophy at Stellenbosch was split in order to survive

This article discusses the extraordinary history of the teaching of philosophy at Stellenbosch University, with a particular focus on the events that led to the split of the department in 1967, and its later reunification in the late 1980’s. The tensions that characterised these events, ultimately leading to the split of the department, were informed by resistance on the part of the Dutch Reformed Church (DRC) clergy, embodied by the supervisory body (‘kuratorium’) presiding over what would later become the faculty of theology of the Stellenbosch University, to the seemingly unorthodox and controversial interpretations of religious doctrine by a lecturer within the department of philosophy, Dr JJ Degenaar. The eventual solution to these differences was the initial creation of two ‘streams’ in the department of philosophy, one of which would be political philosophy taught by Degenaar, and ultimately the creation of a separate department of political philosophy, headed by Degenaar. The article also deals with the process of re-unification of the two departments in the late 1980’s. Several insights can be gleaned from an analysis of these events. Firstly, they reveal the extent to which the DRC curatory was able to influence academic affairs at that time, as well as to the extent to which Stellenbosch University allowed its institutional autonomy to be compromised. Secondly, they show how a certain model of religious experience and faith that was quite prominent in DRC circles in the late nineteenth century, was systematically overtaken by another model in the course of the early twentieth century. Finally, they show that within the two departments, a healthy culture of not only respect and collegiality, but also continued philosophical and political debate, was maintained throughout the 20 years of formal (30 years of effective) separation, thus illustrating the value of dialogue over intellectual immobility.

Listening to the voices of children in decision-making: A challenge for the child protection system in Spain

The right of children to participate in decisions that impact their lives has been widely recognized, but it is scarcely present in the decision-making processes within the child protection system. Although research provides evidence of the benefits of such participation, we still know little about its presence in family reunification processes. This paper examines the voices of children and adolescents at the time of removal and reunification in the child protection process. The perspectives of 135 persons were taken through in-depth interviews and group discussions, namely, 30 children and adolescents, 42 biological parents, and 63 professionals in the child protection system. The results suggest that 1) the information that is provided to children and adolescents is inaccurate and incomplete at all stages of the decision-making process, 2) the degree of understanding the reasons that underlie the decision-making is minimal, 3) the main reason for removal defines how the child is involve in participation, and 4) the participation of children and adolescents in the reunification process contributes to its success and stability. The practical implications concern both the need to train professionals and the establishment of mechanisms that ensure children's participation on the continuum of the development of the case plan.

La predicción afectiva positiva como factor de protección socio-emocional en madres transnacionales antes y después de la reagrupación familiar: relación con la satisfacción con la vida, regulación emocional, soledad social, resiliencia y estrés

Affective forecasting is an emotional process of overestimation of the future. Previous studies indicate that if these expectations are excessive and do not coincide with reality they can lead to a high socio emotional cost after the event. In order to analyze the differences in affective predictions before and after transnational reunification 188 immigrant mothers resident in Spain were divided in two groups according to whether or not they had regrouped with their children. Both groups were homogeneous in socio-demographics (age, number of children, education level, employment status, and reasons for migrating). The results confirm the existence of significant differences between emotional experience, before and after reunification. It was found that affective forecasting played a positive role before and after the event for the variables affecting socio-cognitive regulation in both groups (well-being, emotional regulation, resilience and stress), but in different manner during the process of transnational family reunification.

Prolonged Separation and Reunification among Chinese Immigrant Children and Families: An Exploratory Study

The present study explored the lived experiences of Chinese immigrant parents in New York City who went through prolonged separation and faced challenges after reunification in the United States. The study assessed their attitudes, perceptions, and reactions to the separation and reunification process to gain better understanding of the ways prolonged separation and reunification impact on child development and family wellbeing. A phenomenological research approach was used to study qualitatively the narrative data from in-depth interviews. The analytical process was based on data immersion, coding, sorting codes into themes, and comparing the themes across interviews. The sample included 18 Chinese immigrant families who had sent their American-born children to China for rearing and reunited with their children within the past 5 years. Data analyses revealed specific themes that included reasons for separation, parenting methods, child’s initial adjustment, behavior, and family relationship, child’s social, emotional, and academic challenges, parental stress and challenges, and recommendations for services. This study contributed to our knowledge of prolonged separation, a common practice among a vulnerable, hard-to-reach immigrant population. It shed light on specific needs of Chinese immigrant families by examining closely the unique circumstances pertaining to prolonged separation, parenting practice, and related family challenges. An understanding of the approaches these families adopt to cope with life challenges may help inform practitioners in formulating service strategies for these families. Specific assessments in child-care, education, and health care settings are essential to prompt immediate follow-up and intervention when needed.

Evaluating Parents in Partnership: A Preliminary Study of a Child Welfare Intervention Designed to Increase Reunification

ABSTRACTChild welfare systems struggle with how best to accomplish reunification for children who have been removed from their home due to child maltreatment. Parent mentor programs may facilitate the reunification process. In these programs, parents who have successfully reunified with their children after child welfare involvement provide support and guidance for parents currently navigating the system. The current study examines (a) whether distance was a barrier to participation in orientation of a parent mentor program (called Parents in Partnership [PIP]) for 98 parents involved with the child welfare system and (b) whether participation affected reunification outcomes for 73 parents. Logistic regression models showed parents who lived closer to the PIP orientation location were more likely to participate in the orientation. Further, parents who attended PIP orientation were 5 times more likely to reunify with their children. Parent mentor programs may be one way to increase the likelihood of reunification for families involved in the child welfare system and may increase the engagement of fathers involved with the child welfare system. Future research should examine whether participation in parent mentor programs reduces the length of time children stay in foster care in addition to increasing rates of reunification.

Clinicians' Observations of Family Interactions in the Reunification Process: The Parent Child Checklist

The present article employed a sample of 365 families of children in foster care to conduct a validation test of a newly developed instrument, the Parent Child Checklist (PCC). The PCC is a 54-item direct observation measure assessing parent–child interactions in the context of a family session. The PCC was developed to support the effective implementation of an evidence-based intervention, Parent Management Training-Oregon model, in the Kansas child welfare system. The PCC was designed to capture two scales of child behavior (prosocial and problem behavior) and five parenting domains (encouragement, positive involvement, problem solving, communication skill, and effective discipline). A combination of exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis was used in this first stage validation of the checklist. Results indicated the PCC scales obtained adequate internal consistency and interrater reliability. The confirmatory factor analysis supported 6 of the 7 expected scale domains; however, a two-factor solution was better - supported among the discipline items, labeled as effective and ineffective discipline. Test–retest reliability ranged from 0.45 to 0.80 across child behavior and parenting domains with alpha levels ranging from 0.65 to 0.88. A behavioral observation rating scale for clinicians that is reliable and feasible to implement can represent a significant improvement to practice-as-usual.

Thomas Mann im Fernsehen der DDR: Peter Vogels Verfilmung desKleinen Herrn Friedemann

Peter Vogel’s film adaptation of Thomas Mann’s novella Der kleine Herr Friedemann, originally intended for the television of the German Democratic Republic, was planned right before and produced in parallel to German reunification. Based on the history of the film’s production, this article examines three main questions: Does the film strive to meet governmental standards or demands, or was it visibly produced with a GDR audience in mind? Conversely, does the film exhibit any subversive qualities? And, finally, does it in any way react to the process of reunification?

Parents' Experiences During the Family Reunification Process: A Chinese Context

Family reunification is always an integral part of a permanency plan and is a preferable outcome for children in care. However, reunification is not straightforward, involving many subsequent negotiations between parents, children, and social workers, sparking various emotions and struggles among the involved parties. Current research on parental experiences of family reunification is predominantly of a cross‐sectional nature, and rarely reflects the parents' experience throughout the process. This paper reports the results of a qualitative panel study aimed at exploring the experiences Chinese parents have during the process of children returning home from care. Seven parents were recruited. Data was collected at three time points and informants narrated their experiences from both a retrospective and prospective perspective. The findings showed that all parents struggled to become competent caregivers. Three salient themes were identified: inferiority, adjustment, and challenge. The parents' experiences revealed the prevalence of stigmatization among social work professions toward parents. This study recommends re‐focusing the policy direction and intervention strategies of out‐of‐home care from family coercion to family support.

Tramando futuros. Transnacionalismo familiar en la migración desde República Dominicana y Brasil hacia España

En este artículo exploramos las formas de re-organización familiar desplegadas por los y las migrantes en el marco de una (nueva) crisis económica global y de endurecimiento del control migratorio en Europa, tomando como casos de estudio las migraciones de Brasil y República Dominicana hacia España.Nuestra finalidad no es caracterizar la totalidad de estrategias de estos colectivos, sino visibilizar su heterogeneidad. Los desplazamientos de población dominicana y brasileña hacia España tienen en común el rol de las mujeres como primer eslabón de las cadenas migratorias. En ambos casos las mujeres son el sostén económico de las familias transnacionales y lideran los procesos de reagrupación. Sin embargo, las diferencias en el tiempo transcurrido en el país de destino, el estatus jurídico, la procedencia (urbana-rural), el nivel formativo, la pertenencia de clase y la inserción laboral en destino, inciden de modo diferencial en el diseño y puesta en marcha de los proyectos migratorios, en la organización del cuidado y en las estrategias de reunificación familiar. Estos hallazgos cuestionan el lugar preponderante que se le suele otorgar al origen nacional en el estudio de los procesos migratorios internacionales.

Understanding Social Support in Reunification: The Views of Foster Children, Birth Families and Social Workers

Research suggests that the social support received from fathers and mothers is a key factor in the reunification process, particularly on a foster child’s return home. However, little is known regarding the nature of this support, its sources and the aspects on which such support should be focused. The aim of this study is to describe the social support that families require at the time of a child’s return to successfully re-establish the family positive dynamics, functioning and routines. This research is based on information gathered in Spain from a focus group and in interviews of 63 professionals, 42 parents and 30 children. The method is qualitative, and the ATLAS.ti program is used for content analysis. The qualitative data enable a better understanding of the views of the individuals involved. The results indicate the relevance of the support provided by the protection system and the social services. The results also reveal the insufficiency of the informal support network. These findings suggest implications for social workers when focusing post-reunification support on specific needs linked to parental skills, personal difficulties of the parents and the stability of the family context.

DNA Testing for Family Reunification in Canada: Points to Consider

Countries have adopted different laws, policies, and practices that allow immigration officers to request in certain cases DNA tests to confirm biological relationships in the context of family reunification. In Canada, Citizenship and Immigration Canada has adopted a policy of suggesting DNA testing only as a last resort in cases where no documentary evidence has been submitted or where the evidence provided is deemed unsatisfactory. However, in practice, there have been concerns on the increasing use of DNA tests in family reunification processes of nationals from certain regions including Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Moreover, the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR) presents a biological definition of family as a determinant of parenthood in the context of family reunification that is inconsistent with the psychosocial definition used in provincial family laws. Although there are cases that can justify the request for DNA tests, there are also significant social, legal, and ethical issues, including discrimination and unfair practices, raised by this increasing use of genetic information in immigration. This policy brief identifies points to consider for policymakers regarding the use of DNA testing in Canadian family reunification procedures. These include (1) the need to refine the policy of “using DNA testing as a last resort” and its implementation, (2) the need to modify the definition of “dependent child” under the IRPR to reflect the intrinsic reality of psychosocial family ties, and (3) the importance of conducting more research on the use of DNA testing in other immigration contexts.

The Transitioning Families Therapeutic Reunification Model in Nonfamilial Abductions

AbstractThe existing literature on abduction reunification is limited and evolving. Although guidelines for model service approaches exist, few programs address the unique challenges of reunifying children and families following abduction. This article delineates a family‐based reunification model that has assisted families affected by abduction since 2006. Model components include a team‐centered approach, a stage‐oriented reunification process, and pitfalls and strategies related to intersystem collaboration. We present the value of a family‐systems, solution‐focused, trauma‐informed, and case‐specific approach to therapeutic reunification following child abduction. Evidence that is contrary to the popular notion of Stockholm's syndrome is also marked. Research on the efficacy of therapeutic reunification is essential for the growth of systems equipped to address the dynamic needs of these families. Accordingly, suggestions for evaluation research are proposed.

South Asian immigration to Spain: Socio-demographic profile and territorial distribution, 2000–2014

The South Asian group, which includes people from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, is one of the oldest and least known immigrant groups in Spain. Because of its relatively small size (131,230 in 2014) very limited research work has been done about this community. Existing studies mainly focus on their economic participation while their socio-demographic characteristics remain unexplored. In this paper, we examine the evolution and demographic profile of their flow and stock during 2000–2014, their socio-economic characteristics and territorial distribution. The recent huge flow of young males has made this group more masculine and younger. Their low education level and lack of professional skills result in occupational segregation in a few sectors, which is contributing to their residential concentration in the big metropolitan areas of Spain. The economic crisis in Spain has halted further growth, but the continuation of family reunification process is consolidating their settlement in Spain.

THE CONCEPT OF “FAMILY” IN SOMALIS’ IMMIGRATION TO FINLAND Views from Immigration Officials and NGOs

In Addis Ababa one can see dozens of Somali families waiting daily in front of the Embassy of Finland to be interviewed. The interview represents a means of entering Finland, since those waiting presumably have a so-called family re-unifier in Finland, a relative who has of ten already received a residence permit and sometimes even citizenship. This article examines the family reunification process of Somalis who travel from Ethiopia to Finland. Drawing on the experiences related by Finnish immigration officials, it focuses on the fact that they do not share the same definition of “family” as the Somali asylum applicants. Using extensive inter views and observations, this article aims to elucidate the complex cultural understandings involved in the Somalis’ process of immigration to Finland.

Identities in transit: the (re)connections and (re)brandings of Berlin's municipal railway infrastructure after 1989

This article analyses urban railway infrastructures as landscapes in order to reveal their role as constructions and constructors of collective and individual identities. It does this by introducing the notion of 'identities in transit', a rhetorical category that problematises the tendency to consider the nexus of urban infrastructure and identity formation only during discrete moments and in relation to abstract subjectivities. Specifically, it explores the (re)connections and (re)brandings that Berlin's municipal railway infrastructure, the Stadtschnellbahn (S-Bahn) and Untergrundbahn (U-Bahn), experienced in the years surrounding the fall of the Berlin Wall, and considers their contribution to the formation of post-unification municipal identities. These discussions are historicised and contextualised by an account of the consequences of Berlin's Cold War division on its transport infrastructure. The article then considers the subsequent impact of the city's reunification and how the S- and U-Bahn became a means of constructing more unified municipal identities. It considers the process by which Berlin's municipal railway networks were reconnected after November 1989 and frames this process as a metaphor for both the different durations and protracted process of the city's reunification and the identities these gave rise to. Thereafter, the article argues that the rebranding strategy pursued by one of the city's municipal transport authorities provides one of the earliest examples of an attempt to manufacture a unified identity for the New Berlin. The article highlights that while processes at the municipal level emphasised the unification of collective identities, experiences of the infrastructures themselves often involved persisting divides and forms of subversion and social conflict that highlighted the meeting of more diverse individual identities.

Ricordare la rivoluzione pacifica e l'unificazione. Le commemorazioni pubbliche della Germania riunificata (1990-2014)

The article aims to analyze how Germany commemorates the 1989 peaceful revolution (the movement that caused the fall of the Berlin Wall and the end of Gdr) and the following German reunification. It examines the choice of 3 October as a national holiday, the «day of the German Unity» reminding the fulfilment of the reunification process when in 1990 the Gdr Lander joined the Federal Republic. It also analyzes the commemorations related to the memory of the peaceful revolution: 9 November (Fall of the Berlin Wall) and 9 October (1989 Montagsdemo in Leipzig), focusing on the tenth, twentieth and twenty-fifth anniversary. Looking at the rituals and the master narratives developed during the commemorations, the article underlines how these national days have led to a heterogeneous depiction of the 1989-90 events.

History of Swiss feminine gymnastics between competition and feminization (1950–1990)

Between 1908 and 1985 in Switzerland, there was a clear division between female and male national gymnastics associations. Beyond some links, the two institutions conducted their own policies and promoted their own practices and forms of gymnastics. They made different choices in the 1960s and 1970s, and on the whole female gymnastics saw greater changes and was more innovative, with the emergence of rhythmic gymnastics as a ‘flagship’ competitive discipline, early experiences in modern physical culture and fitness, etc. Across these developments, this article analyses successively the conditions of the preservation of control over female gymnastics in the 1950s, how those gymnasts and the female national association’s leaders used their institutional autonomy to develop many practical innovations and break technical and institutional boundaries during the 1960s and 1970s, before managing the reunification process with male gymnastics, and facing new symbolic boundaries.

Patañjali’s Yoga Sūtras and the Alchemical Process of Individuation

The Yoga Sūtras , a Sanskrit text authored by the Indian philosopher Patañjali (ca 100 b.c.e . to 200 c.e. ), are interpreted using Swiss psychologist Carl Jung’s (1865–1961) model of Western alchemy. The alchemical process gave Jung a language with which to understand the psyche’s transformation from unconscious to increasingly conscious states. This process, which Jung termed individuation or Self-becoming, serves as the interpretive lens to view the Yoga Sūtras . Alchemical stages are compared to Patañjali’s definition of yoga ( citta-vṛtti nirodhaḥ ), the obstacle to achieving yoga (saṁyoga) , and the goal or end of yoga (kaivalya) . Through utilizing an alchemical hermeneutic the aim of the Yoga Sūtras reads not as a final separation of matter and spirit as traditionally interpreted, but as depicting a process of reunification and differentiated wholeness.

Long Journey Home: Family Reunification Experiences of the Disappeared Children of El Salvador

Established in 1994, Salvadoran Asociación Pro-Búsqueda de Niñas y Niños Desaparecidos (Association for the Search of Disappeared Children) has located 384 children, often with the aid of DNA evidence, of the more than 500 who went missing or were abducted during El Salvador’s civil war. Families in other countries who were unaware of the forced separations adopted many of these children. Between 2005 and 2009, we conducted semi-structured interviews with twenty-six children, now young adults aged twenty-four to thirty-four years, who had been reunited with their biological families. We found that we could conceptually categorize the process of separation and reunification into six phases: pre-disappearance, disappearance, separation, searching, reunion, and reunification. While these young adults said that reunification was extremely important, they often found this stage psychologically challenging, given their new identities and their uncertainty about how they would reintegrate back—if at all—into their biological families. We call this process “ambiguous reunification.”