Transmission of child removal stories Among Norwegian Somalis

An interactionist analysis of ethnic minority parents' fears of child welfare services

Bibliographic Data

ID2301387
AuthorsAyan Handulle (0000-0003-0475-614X, University of Stavanger, corresponding author), A Vassenden (0000-0002-4758-7318, University of Stavanger)
Year2024
Volume67
Issue2
Pages198-214
Publication date2024-05-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueActa Sociologica (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0001-6993 • E-ISSN: 1502-3869
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/00016993231177548
OpenAlexW4379010596
LanguageEN
Citations received11
References cited38

Ethnic minority parents who are fearful of child welfare services (CWS) is an acknowledged social problem, but the existing academic understanding is limited. Interpretations in previous research have tended to highlight people's 'dispositions', typically cultural backgrounds, and lack of knowledge, or 'structures' like welfare and penal systems. More neglected is how CWS fears can be generated from interactional processes within groups. Building on extensive ethnography with Norwegian Somalis, a marginalized migrant group, we extend the sociological understanding of ethnic minority parents' CWS fears. Relying on an interactionist theoretical framework, we centre Erving Goffman's interaction ritual (e.g., facework) and stigma, which we combine with Robert Putnam's bonding social capital. From this vantage point, we construct a 'bottom-up' theoretical model highlighting transmission of child removal stories in tight-knit social networks. Among Norwegian Somalis, fears emanate from a social process with four interconnected factors: (A) adversities and 'tribal stigma'; (B) bonding social capital, for coping and self-respect; (C) children as a 'lifeline'. Together these generate (D) wide diffusion of child removal stories, which perpetuates pervasive CWS fears. This model should productively inform comparative research

Ethnic group · Immigration · Norwegian · Political science · Social capital · Social science · Social Welfare · Sociology · Stigma (botany · Welfare · Gender Studies · Homelessness and Social Issues · Law · Migration, Health and Trauma · Psychology · Social Psychology · Social Work Education and Practice