Like the Angel of Death Appearing to Take the Children Away’

The Portrayal of the Norwegian Child Welfare Service Among First‐Generation Muslim Parents

Datos Bibliográficos

ID12570208
AutoresAlexander Gamst Page (0000-0001-9657-7530, Department of Social Work Norwegian University of Science and Technology Trondheim Norway, autor de correspondencia), Sobh Chahboun (0000-0002-1149-3491, Institute of Pedagogy ‐ Section Special Needs Education Queen Maude University College of Early Childhood Education Trondheim Norway), Marie Florence Moufack (0000-0002-3701-7012, Department of Social Work Norwegian University of Science and Technology Trondheim Norway)
Año2025
Fecha de publicación2025-12-25
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaChild & Family Social Work (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 1356-7500 • E-ISSN: 1365-2206
EditorialWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/cfs.70105
OpenAlexW7117323089
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas1
Referencias citadas17

This study explores the perceptions of Norway's Child Welfare Services (CWS), or barnevernet , among first‐generation Muslim migrant parents. It focuses on how personal experiences and community narratives shape attitudes. Using data from semi‐structured interviews with 24 first‐generation Muslim migrant parents, the findings reveal a stark contrast between firsthand experiences and secondhand accounts. Participants who had direct contact with the CWS typically described interactions as professional and supportive. However, widespread negative stories within social networks portrayed the agency as punitive and culturally insensitive, fueling fear and mistrust. The analysis highlights key factors contributing to these perceptions, including misinformation, cultural misunderstandings and communication barriers. While systemic biases were occasionally noted, most firsthand accounts suggest that negative perceptions are often exaggerated. The study underscores the importance of improving cultural competence among CWS staff, enhancing communication strategies and engaging directly with migrant communities to dispel myths and build trust

Agency (philosophy · Immigration · Narrative · Norwegian · Perception · Punitive damages · Welfare · Migration, Health and Trauma · Migration, Refugees, and Integration · Religion, Society, and Development · Social Work