A study on the perceptions of child welfare workers on the use of corporal punishment among immigrant and Norwegian families

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to explore the perceptions and experiences of child welfare workers in regard to immigrant and non-immigrant families by using the concept of corporal punishment as a point of departure. There were three main questions and objectives that focused on exploring the expectations and approaches that child welfare workers have when working with immigrant and non-immigrant families. This study was exclusively qualitative in nature. Data collection was done by undertaking semi-structured interviews with seven child welfare workers from the Stavanger and Sola offices. Thematic analysis was used to generate the findings which were discussed with the lens provided by the theoretical framework that included the moral theories of universalism and relativism as well as the theory of street level bureaucracy. The results of the study indicate that child welfare workers have a child centred approach to their practice. They do not seem to differentiate between children of immigrant and nonimmigrant families. Their work is based on the promotion of the rights of the child stated by the UNCRC and the Norwegian law. In addition, it was found that while child welfare workers have a culture blind approach to the use of corporal punishment, they take culture into account to develop a better understanding and relationship with immigrant families. This was explained with the help of a graphic that I called “the bridge of relativism”.