The historical, cultural and social context of child protection impacts on professional practice in child and family welfare
by Evan Guerra
The modern Australian child protection landscape has been shaped over the decades with consideration of various risk factors impacting on children across their lifespan.
Abuse and neglect factors pertinent to indigenous children impact the overall framework of child protection practice and the procedures and policies employed by social welfare organizations and practitioners in the prevention of maltreatment. Cultural and social factors contribute to the types of maltreatments imposed on children. Taking into account the impacts of cultural and social factors that cause child abuse, combined with a comprehensive knowledge of child protection theory helps to better understand and remedy the consequences of neglect.
The overall framework of child protection requires the identification of the risk, harm and needs of maltreated children combined with an appreciation that, understanding and hearing the client's view is imperative (Trotter, 2004).
Historical context
The modern era Australian Government has embraced a neoliberal ideology towards society which has shifted societal responsibility away from government and increasingly towards individuals. (Harris, 2017)
A historical approach to child prevention in Australia must incorporate both the Eurocentric methods of modern practice and the issues faced by indigenous families, including the damaging impact of separation on indigenous children.
During the 19th century, it was believed the parent was responsible for the welfare and well-being of their children and they held the power to govern suitable treatment and punishment. However, this changed when Australia was introduced to the first ideologies of child protection from social movements in the United States and the United Kingdom that took action to apply laws protecting children from abuse and harm, moving away from the family holding complete responsibility.
The injustices committed against the indigenous stolen generations from 1910–1970 saw the complete failure of Australian assimilation policies, which unsuccessfully attempted to integrate Aboriginal communities into modern Australian culture. Post 1970’s the Australian child protection system has been concerned with children ‘at risk’ which has acquired an increasing prominence on an unprecedented scale. (Fernandez, 2014. Pg 787) At particular risk are children from indigenous families who are still reeling from the long-term effects of the loss of culture and identity caused by the forced removal of the stolen generation.
Attempts at the ‘merging’ and ‘absorption’ of indigenous children into the European populations were met with resistance by indigenous families because despite the Governments best efforts mixed descent children still identified with and yearned to know about their culture and family ties.
The high percentage of child neglect occurring in indigenous communities is a direct implication of the cultural upheaval and systematic oppression of the indigenous Australian identity. The complex disruptions caused by the stolen generation attempts of the Australian government have resulted in a separate set of practices and procedures having been implemented by social welfare and child safety practitioners for indigenous children and their families.
Increasing rates of Indigenous children being subjected to environments of poverty further perpetuates the risks of neglect and harm. Historically poverty is a factor that leads to abuse and neglect within communities. Impoverishment can be improved with a focus on enriching the social and cultural importance of the family environment.
Social and cultural context
Analyzing theories of child maltreatment should be approached in a critical manner as to provoke good practice. Across a child’s lifespan, social factors can contribute to a variety of different abuses. The most common sub-types of abuse are physical abuse, emotional maltreatment, neglect, sexual abuse, and witnessing family violence. (CFCA Resource sheet, 2014)
Appropriate interventions by social welfare workers are determined by the level of risk, harm and the needs of the children involved as a result of confirmed notifications of neglect.
Theories of child abuse causation are determined by psychological, sociological and multidimensional factors. The generalized theories that explain the causes of both physical and emotional abuse of a child along the lifespan is identified as the psychological deficiencies of a parent or primary care-giver. Dysfunctional social, economic and cultural interactions of families lead to patterns of neglect. The social impact of physical abuse on children leads to the long-term development and internalization of emotional abuse.
Applying child protection theory in practice across the board presents numerous problems including the exclusion of involving the children at risk and hearing their opinions and input. In order for social welfare clients needs to be understood and viewed from an unbiased position the theories of child abuse and neglect must be married with the views and concerns of the child at risk.
This issue is particularly concerning in the Australian context given the large proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families who are affected by statutory child protection systems. (Tilbury, Osmand, Wilson and Clark. (2007) Good Practice in Child Protection, Australia, Pearson Prentice Hall (pg 39).
Tilbury et al. (2007) propose that listening to client theory is of utmost importance, with the participation of clients holding great procedural value in understanding the damaging effects of separating indigenous infants from family. Where applicable indigenous children found to be neglected should be placed in out-of-home care with responsible relatives or with an indigenous foster-parent were possible to avoid any cultural and emotional disruption.
Common to all socio-economic and cultural families is the presence of physical abuse at home where a parent or care-giver partakes in substance abuse. (CFCA Resource sheet, 2014) The ideal alternative social setting for preventing further damage is the complete isolation from the abusive environment and from the individuals committing physical abuse.
Physical and emotional abuse directed towards a child as a result of drug use is caused by a families social poverty, social isolation, lack of connectedness within networks, and low social support. (Tilbury et al. (2007), pg 61)
The modern approach to child prevention practice is one that requires a multi-dimensional lens that takes into consideration child abuse theory from both a Psychological and Sociological perspective, assessment of risk, harm, and the needs of maltreated children.
Ensuring the historical implications of past practice is corrected and modern theories are implemented into social welfare policies increases the likelihood of children receiving adequate assistance when subjected to abuse and neglect.
The future is up to us.
References
Fernandez, Elizabeth (2014) Child Protection and Vulnerable Families: Trends and Issues in Australian Context.
Goldsworthy, Kathryn. (2015) History of child protection services, Australian Institute of Family Studies.
Hunter, Cathryn. (2014). CFCA Resource Sheet, Effects of child abuse and neglect for children and adolescents, Australian Institute of Family Studies.
Trotter, C. (2004) Helping abused Children and Their Families, Allen & Unwin, Crows Nest.
Harris, Paul. (2017) Thinking about poverty. Fourth Edition, The Federation Press.
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