Question
summarize the text below
The concept of family and parenting
Consideration of Family support cannot proceed without consideration of the concept of Family. As a fundamental social institution, ‘families’ are viewed as the primary environment for social care, belonging and inclusion. In all European countries there is a heavy reliance on family roles related to social care, parenthood and children,
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family relationships and resource provision. These family functions are crucial if the developmental needs of children and young people are to be met. This is achieved through the; provision of care, nurture, and protection for their welfare, and the cultivation of social values that support their inclusion in society more widely (Churchill et al., 2021: 13).
However, as EurofamNet aims to promote advancements in family support for children, parents and families with children, the conceptualisation of childhood and parenthood must be recognised as shaped by context and change. This is a crucial consideration for the development for family support provision as the interaction between child development and the social ecology of the ‘micro, meso and macro’ social interactions, norms and contexts can influence the outcomes for their welfare (Churchill et al, 2021).
For example, there remains considerable emphasis on the idea that “the family” consists of a heterosexual nuclear couple-headed family household with dependent children. However, this normative position and assumption is inadequate given its limited, biased and partial conception of the complexities of, and changes in, family formations and social meanings (Ribbens-McCarthy et al, 2012). This has implications for the recognition of diverse family forms and networks of caring, and the allocation of resources and supports to these families. Key literature emphasises the fundamental importance of policy makers, service providers and practitioners engaging with the diversity of family formations and lives; and to recognise the full breadth of forms and relationships that might be referred to as ‘a family’ in any given instance. With greater recognition for same-sex marriage and parenthood rights alongside the diversity of family households and the significance of extended family networks, this allows for recognition of the diversity of identities, contexts, preferences and circumstances which inform and influence parenthood, childhood and family life. Points of discussion in this Briefing, however, are the potential challenges for family support and family welfare that arise from conflicts and tensions between institutional and social meanings and frameworks related to the concepts of ‘family’, ‘parenthood’ and ‘childhood’ (Ribbens-McCarthy et al, 2012; Churchill et al, 2021).
Beyond the many forms ‘a family’ may take in society, family life itself encompasses relational practices such as partnering and childrearing and other forms of care, which can interact with the demographics of the family, intergenerational and gendered relational dynamics (Ribbens-McCarthy et al, 2012). These in turn interact with broader cultural, economic, political and social systems. For example, a key learning from the EurofamNet project is that “the fragility and diversity of family relationships, individualization and shrinking size of households are seen both as a result of change in the system of values and the processes of economics” (Putniņa,
A framework for child and family support in Europe | 12
2020: 46). This is a crucial consideration for policy makers whose decisions in multiple domains impact on family lives and functioning.
The notion of parenthood also needs some critical elaboration. The following perspectives informthis briefing, firstlyour conceptionof parents is broadandinclusive and reflected in McCarthy and Edwards (2011: 141) distinction:
“Parent refers to a particular status, or category of person, who is identified as standing in a special relationship with an individual child or related children. Parenthood refers to how this category or role is institutionalised as a social form. Parenting generally refers to a set of practices and activities and thus draws attention to what a person does as a parent in relation to their children.”
Given the significance of modern trends towards increasing family diversity, it is important to recognise those engaging in parental roles not only incorporate ‘biological parents’ but also many others including ‘stepparents, foster parents, adoptive parents, grandparents or other relatives’ (Boddy et al 2009: 14). Furthermore, parenting also often conceived and experienced in gendered terms related to motherhood and fatherhood:
“[P]arenting is understood as the ongoing sets of relationships and activities that are involved for all of those who are parenting and raising children. Parenting is seen as a process involving a set of intellectual, emotional and material adjustments enabling adults to become parents, in other, to meet children’s needs in the physical, emotional, intellectual and words social spheres […] it is also recognised parenting is a gendered activity in that the experiences and approaches of mothers and fathers often differ.” (Daly, Abela et al. 2007: 11-12)
The role of families, and family support provisions in attaining rights for children
Having examined the conceptualisation of families, and the role of parents, this Briefing affirms the role of families and family support provisions in vindicating rights for children. Informed by the 1989 UNCRC, this Briefing centres children’s rights to ‘protection, provision and participation’ within their families and communities as well as society more widely. The UNCRC defines ‘a child’ as all aged under 18 years which likewise informs the age-range of concern in this Briefing. The UNCRC establishes civil, social, economic and political rights for children as independent citizens beyond their parents and families. It affords children special status and protections because ‘societies depend on adequate child development and well-being’ and because of their vulnerability and ‘marginal social status’. Further, it stipulates higher risk groups
A framework for child and family support in Europe | 13
require additional protections and provisions including children who are refugees and asylum seekers and children affected by disability, involved in the state care system and living in institutions. The rights for children specified in the UNCRC seek to improve provisions for their welfare and raise their social status. They place ‘protection, provision and participation’ duties on deemed responsible for the care and welfare of children (e.g., parents and nation states) (Sandbæk 2017). Seeking to promote universal rights alongside recognition of cultural and social diversity, the UNCRC allows for children’s rights to be pursued in diversity ways among nation states; and places emphasis on the participation of all groups in shaping national reforms and the rights of all to cultural heritage.
Informed by the children’s rights approach, social policy and family support initiatives that promote ‘positive parenting’ perspectives is particularly of interest in this Briefing:
“Positive parenting refers to parental behaviour based on the best interests of the child that is nurturing, empowering, non-violent and provides recognition and guidance which involves setting of boundaries to enable the full development of the child.”(Council of Europe, Rec 2006).
The concept of family and parenting
Consideration of Family support cannot proceed without consideration of the concept of Family. As a fundamental social institution, ‘families’ are viewed as the primary environment for social care, belonging and inclusion. In all European countries there is a heavy reliance on family roles related to social care, parenthood and children,
A framework for child and family support in Europe | 11
family relationships and resource provision. These family functions are crucial if the developmental needs of children and young people are to be met. This is achieved through the; provision of care, nurture, and protection for their welfare, and the cultivation of social values that support their inclusion in society more widely (Churchill et al., 2021: 13).
However, as EurofamNet aims to promote advancements in family support for children, parents and families with children, the conceptualisation of childhood and parenthood must be recognised as shaped by context and change. This is a crucial consideration for the development for family support provision as the interaction between child development and the social ecology of the ‘micro, meso and macro’ social interactions, norms and contexts can influence the outcomes for their welfare (Churchill et al, 2021).
For example, there remains considerable emphasis on the idea that “the family” consists of a heterosexual nuclear couple-headed family household with dependent children. However, this normative position and assumption is inadequate given its limited, biased and partial conception of the complexities of, and changes in, family formations and social meanings (Ribbens-McCarthy et al, 2012). This has implications for the recognition of diverse family forms and networks of caring, and the allocation of resources and supports to these families. Key literature emphasises the fundamental importance of policy makers, service providers and practitioners engaging with the diversity of family formations and lives; and to recognise the full breadth of forms and relationships that might be referred to as ‘a family’ in any given instance. With greater recognition for same-sex marriage and parenthood rights alongside the diversity of family households and the significance of extended family networks, this allows for recognition of the diversity of identities, contexts, preferences and circumstances which inform and influence parenthood, childhood and family life. Points of discussion in this Briefing, however, are the potential challenges for family support and family welfare that arise from conflicts and tensions between institutional and social meanings and frameworks related to the concepts of ‘family’, ‘parenthood’ and ‘childhood’ (Ribbens-McCarthy et al, 2012; Churchill et al, 2021).
Beyond the many forms ‘a family’ may take in society, family life itself encompasses relational practices such as partnering and childrearing and other forms of care, which can interact with the demographics of the family, intergenerational and gendered relational dynamics (Ribbens-McCarthy et al, 2012). These in turn interact with broader cultural, economic, political and social systems. For example, a key learning from the EurofamNet project is that “the fragility and diversity of family relationships, individualization and shrinking size of households are seen both as a result of change in the system of values and the processes of economics” (Putniņa,
A framework for child and family support in Europe | 12
2020: 46). This is a crucial consideration for policy makers whose decisions in multiple domains impact on family lives and functioning.
The notion of parenthood also needs some critical elaboration. The following perspectives informthis briefing, firstlyour conceptionof parents is broadandinclusive and reflected in McCarthy and Edwards (2011: 141) distinction:
“Parent refers to a particular status, or category of person, who is identified as standing in a special relationship with an individual child or related children. Parenthood refers to how this category or role is institutionalised as a social form. Parenting generally refers to a set of practices and activities and thus draws attention to what a person does as a parent in relation to their children.”
Given the significance of modern trends towards increasing family diversity, it is important to recognise those engaging in parental roles not only incorporate ‘biological parents’ but also many others including ‘stepparents, foster parents, adoptive parents, grandparents or other relatives’ (Boddy et al 2009: 14). Furthermore, parenting also often conceived and experienced in gendered terms related to motherhood and fatherhood:
“[P]arenting is understood as the ongoing sets of relationships and activities that are involved for all of those who are parenting and raising children. Parenting is seen as a process involving a set of intellectual, emotional and material adjustments enabling adults to become parents, in other, to meet children’s needs in the physical, emotional, intellectual and words social spheres […] it is also recognised parenting is a gendered activity in that the experiences and approaches of mothers and fathers often differ.” (Daly, Abela et al. 2007: 11-12)
The role of families, and family support provisions in attaining rights for children
Having examined the conceptualisation of families, and the role of parents, this Briefing affirms the role of families and family support provisions in vindicating rights for children. Informed by the 1989 UNCRC, this Briefing centres children’s rights to ‘protection, provision and participation’ within their families and communities as well as society more widely. The UNCRC defines ‘a child’ as all aged under 18 years which likewise informs the age-range of concern in this Briefing. The UNCRC establishes civil, social, economic and political rights for children as independent citizens beyond their parents and families. It affords children special status and protections because ‘societies depend on adequate child development and well-being’ and because of their vulnerability and ‘marginal social status’. Further, it stipulates higher risk groups
A framework for child and family support in Europe | 13
require additional protections and provisions including children who are refugees and asylum seekers and children affected by disability, involved in the state care system and living in institutions. The rights for children specified in the UNCRC seek to improve provisions for their welfare and raise their social status. They place ‘protection, provision and participation’ duties on deemed responsible for the care and welfare of children (e.g., parents and nation states) (Sandbæk 2017). Seeking to promote universal rights alongside recognition of cultural and social diversity, the UNCRC allows for children’s rights to be pursued in diversity ways among nation states; and places emphasis on the participation of all groups in shaping national reforms and the rights of all to cultural heritage.
Informed by the children’s rights approach, social policy and family support initiatives that promote ‘positive parenting’ perspectives is particularly of interest in this Briefing:
“Positive parenting refers to parental behaviour based on the best interests of the child that is nurturing, empowering, non-violent and provides recognition and guidance which involves setting of boundaries to enable the full development of the child.”(Council of Europe, Rec 2006).
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The text discusses the concept of family and parenting, emphasizing that families serve as the primary environment for social care and support, particularly for children. It highlights the importance of recognizing diverse family structures beyond the traditional heterosexual nuclear family to adequately address the complexities of family life and parenting. EurofamNet aims to enhance family support by considering how childhood and parenthood are shaped by varying social contexts and changes.
The briefing also points out the significance of policymakers engaging with diverse family formations and ensuring that family support resources are tailored to meet the needs of various family types. It elaborates on parenthood and parenting, defining them as both statuses and practices that encompass a broader range of caregivers beyond biological parents, including stepparents, relatives, and foster parents, while also acknowledging the gendered dimensions of parenting.
Additionally, the role of families in safeguarding children's rights is discussed in the context of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), which underscores children's rights to protection, provision, and participation. It asserts that family support provisions are crucial for upholding these rights and emphasizes the need for policies that encourage positive parenting practices that align with children's best interests. Overall, the text advocates for a more inclusive understanding of families and the importance of tailored support to meet diverse needs.
The briefing also points out the significance of policymakers engaging with diverse family formations and ensuring that family support resources are tailored to meet the needs of various family types. It elaborates on parenthood and parenting, defining them as both statuses and practices that encompass a broader range of caregivers beyond biological parents, including stepparents, relatives, and foster parents, while also acknowledging the gendered dimensions of parenting.
Additionally, the role of families in safeguarding children's rights is discussed in the context of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), which underscores children's rights to protection, provision, and participation. It asserts that family support provisions are crucial for upholding these rights and emphasizes the need for policies that encourage positive parenting practices that align with children's best interests. Overall, the text advocates for a more inclusive understanding of families and the importance of tailored support to meet diverse needs.