What is child protection? Historical and methodological issues in comparative research on lastensuojelu/child protection

Abstract

This article addresses comparative research on what has come to be called, in (British) English, ‘child protection’ or, rather differently, in Finnish ‘lastensuojelu’. In developing a cross‐national research project on lastensuojelu/child protection practices in England and Finland, we found it necessary to go back a few steps, to address what might usually be considered as ‘background issues’. This article discusses the welfare state traditions in both countries, especially with respect to families and children, in order to contextualise the focus of ongoing qualitative research on micro comparisons. When comparing the mundane practices of child protection and the ways problems and clienthoods are constructed, as in this study, historical, social, cultural and linguistic issues matter. Indeed, very basic concepts such as ‘child protection’ and ‘child protection case’ become problematic in the comparison.

Gendered and Social Hierarchies in Problem Representation and Policy Processes: “Domestic Violence” in Finland and Scotland

“…On many indicators of equality between the sexes these countries are at the top of most "league tables"; on the whole, women appear to do better across the lifecourse than women in, for example, Scotland. However, welfare and preventive approaches, such as, high levels of daycare provision, may go alongside relative neglect of questions of violence and abuse (Pringle, 1998;Hearn et al, 2004). Rape in marriage was criminalized in 1994 in Finland, one of the last countries in Europe.…”

“…The countries have similar population size, some comparable social characteristics, yet different physical size and gender systems (McKie and Hearn, 2004; also see Hearn, 2002;Hearn et al, 2004). …”

Norwegian Child Welfare Services: A Successful Program for Protecting and Supporting Vulnerable Children and Parents?

“…, and Hearn, Pösö, Smith, White and Korpinen (2004) argued that exchanging knowledge about different systems of child protection and child welfare is crucial to refocus, redirect, and develop the ways in which the State meets the needs of vulnerable and marginalised children and families. The rationale of this paper is to offer an analysis of the Norwegian system of CWS; however, another paper comparing the Australian and Norwegian systems is currently being developed.…”

Redes de proteção e garantia de direitos: representações sociais por conselheiros tutelares

“…Ainda sobre estudos comparativos, a investigação de Hearn et al (2004) aborda o que vem a ser chamado em inglês de "proteção à infância" e uma forma diferente, em finlandês de "lastensuojelu", o trabalho discute as tradições do Estado do bem-estar de ambos os países (Inglaterra e Finlândia). Recentemente, houve um crescimento destas pesquisas sobre os sistemas de bem-estar social, inspirados por mudanças regionais, inclusive nas tecnologias de informação da União Europeia.…”