‘Spiritual Risk’: A Parental Perception of Risk for Children in the Ultra-Orthodox Jewish Community

Child & Family Social Work

Tener

Gemara

et al. 2021

Self Cite

Parental love is often regarded as central to a child's well-being, although the cultureinformed and context-informed scholarship on this topic has been surprisingly limited. The present study was designed to highlight the concept of parental love from the unique perspective of Israeli Ultra-Orthodox Jewish parents. It is based on a secondary qualitative thematic analysis of 27 interviews with parents that explore the constructions, experiences and meanings they associate with the concept of parental love. The interviews were selected from a study of Ultra-Orthodox Jewish parents in Israel who were asked about child risk and protection. According to the findings, love was often contrasted to risk; it was viewed as having an immunizing effect and as being core to child well-being, belonging and faith. Three major themes related to 'love' emerged: (1) the responsibility of loving your children, (2) the nature of love (or lack thereof) and (3) the religious and spiritual aspects of love. The study also stresses the importance of cultural and contextual analysis of core constructs such as 'parental love' and considers the implications of its findings for interventions with families.

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 81%

‘All in all … it begins with love’: The meanings of parental love in the context of child risk and protection among Israeli Ultra‐Orthodox Jewish parents

Child & Family Social Work

Tener

Gemara

et al. 2021

Self Cite

“…Moreover, the concept of “spiritual risk” was clearly articulated in our interviews with Ultra‐Orthodox parents (Nadan et al, 2019) and children (Nadan & Ganz, 2018) as one of the most significant risks for children. In the eyes of the Ultra‐Orthodox community, “spiritual risk” is a complex construct comprising three interrelated dimensions: (a) a decline in observance of the Torah and the commandments; (b) violation of sociocultural norms and rules; and (c) a decline in spiritual beliefs, including the individual's sense of connection with G‐d.…”

Section: The Role Of Contexts In the Understanding Of Child Risk And mentioning

confidence: 89%

A Context‐Informed Perspective of Child Risk and Protection: Deconstructing Myths in the Risk Discourse

J of Family Theo & Revie

Roer‐Strier

2020

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This article discusses context‐informed conceptualization in the study of children's risk and protection. It begins by defining this perspective, challenging the universalistic approach and the view of cultures as uniform, monolithic and static and acknowledging hybridity, complexity, and the dynamics of change and power relations. In the second part of the article, we exemplify three contexts (religion and spirituality, racism and exclusion, political conflict and violence) that emerged from our large‐scale qualitative research project in Israel exploring perceptions of child risk and protection in different contexts. In the third part of the article, we rethink the ontological nature of the categories of child “risk” and “protection.” We outline and deconstruct three prevalent myths identified in the risk discourse, discuss the stance of the observer and the issue of power, the discrepancies and value mismatch between parents and professionals, and the concept of complexity in the risk discourse.

“…In a study among Ultra-Orthodox Jewish communities, for example, parents spoke of 'spiritual risk' as the major concern for their children. However, social workers from outside the community did not consider spirituality as a risk category for children (Nadan & Ganz, 2018). Gaps may include discrepancies and contradictions concerning the nature of the relationship between families and social workers and a gulf in perceptions regarding needs, assistance and help, as well as the process of risk assessment and child protection practices.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mind the gap: Parental and professional perceptions of ‘risk’ for children living in poverty

Yona

Child & Family Social Work

2021

Self Cite

This article explores the perceptions and constructions of child risk and protection for children growing up in poverty, from the perspective of parents and social workers serving them, in an impoverished neighbourhood in Israel. Of the 50 indepth semi-structured interviews conducted overall, 35 were with parents and 15 with social workers employed by the neighbourhood's social services department.The analysis yielded three themes: The first focuses on the social services' involvement in the neighbourhood. While social workers viewed the social service agency's location within the neighbourhood as positive, offering the opportunity to build a close relationship with the local population, some parents experienced this proximity as intrusive. The second theme deals with gaps in perceptions of help: Whereas parents felt that they needed material assistance, social workers preferred to offer therapeutic assistance. The third theme relates to the child-at-risk label, with diverging perspectives between social workers and parents regarding the extent to which living in a poor neighbourhood places a family at risk. Our findings highlight the importance of incorporating anti-oppressive and poverty-aware paradigms in social work practice and education.