July 2004 - 176 pages - $ 15.00
European Discussion Paper prepared by the International Movement ATD Fourth World with the financial support of the European Commission
The discussion paper Valuing Children, Valuing Parents is a resource for all those who are concerned with the welfare of children and their families. It offers an opportunity to learn from effective practice in 10 countries in Europe .
Valuing Children, Valuing Parents highlights the need to listen to children and parents who face severe and persistent poverty in their daily lives. It focuses on the family as a resource in understanding the experience of poverty and developing strategies to eradicate it.
Children growing up in long-term poverty are more likely to be taken into care than children from other backgrounds. Valuing Children, Vvaluing Parents therefore looks particularly at the experiences of children and parents who become involved with the child protection system. It helps child protection agencies to reshape basic assumptions, practices and policy strategies in their approach to families in poverty.
Valuing Children, Vvaluing Parents challenges policy makers, academics, anti-poverty activists, social workers and community workers to develop partnerships with families to find new ways of supporting them that are effective, humane and empowering.
Valuing Children, Valuing Parents says : “Family support measures is vital in the fight against child poverty”.Insufficient family support systems for families living in poverty contributes to social isolation, insecurity within families, and avoidable child protection measures.
Parents’ possible positive involvement in the child protection system is one of the biggest issues raised. Insufficient support services for families living in poverty often leads to more children being assessed as neglected rather than in need, and therefore children being removed from their families. Parents feel that when their children are taken away, there is no way to requalify as a parent where there desire might be to contribute to a secure environment and future for their children.
Valuing Children, Valuing Parents , discusses the implications if no further action is taken, and if positive support systems for these families are not implemented. The paper discusses the continuation of the poverty cycle through generations, as well as the long-term affects of this on families living in poverty.
The paper is an extremely useful and informative resource for all concerned about child poverty. It discusses issues faced by poverty stricken families, as well as possible solutions to the problems. It suggests many strategies and interventions to increase family support, community support, friendship, and a sense of belonging in poverty stricken families.