“An anthropological perspective on the interplay between welfare institutions and (birth, foster or substitute) families in the light of the transition to adulthood: In and out of foster care” - "Perspective anthropologique sur les liens entre institutions sociales et familles (d'origine, d'accueil ou de substitution) en lien avec la transition à la vie adulte: entrées et sorties de placement"

Nov. 3-4, 2017

This course is organized by  by Laurence Ossipow  (HES·SO – HETS) and Gaëlle Aeby (University of Lausanne and HES·SO – HETS)  with the support of the the Faculty of Social Work of the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland, with the support of swissuniversities. It is the first of a series of six sessions about social work which will be organized as part of the CUSO and the NCCR LIVES doctoral programs. For any information about these sessions : [email protected]

Gaëlle Aeby, University of Lausanne and HES·SO – HETS; Catrien Notermans, Department of Anthropology and Development Studies, Radboud University Nijmegen, Pays-Bas. ; Arnaud Frauenfelder, HES·SO – HETS; Martin Goyette, ENAP, Québec, Canada ; Sabina Lorega, EHESS, SUPSI; Marianne Modak, HES·SO, EESP; Laurence Ossipow, HES·SO – HETS

Swiss Graduate Program Anthropology

An anthropological perspective on the interplay between welfare institutions and (birth, foster or substitute) families in the light of the transition to adulthood: In and out of foster care

Date : 3-4 Novembre 2017

Lieu : Neuchâtel, La Rouvraie, 2022 Bellevue-sur-Bevaix (navette avec la gare)

Summary

Reconsidering the role of welfare states toward children, young adults, and their families is a key issue that raises questions about the goals of social institutions, the involvement of social workers, their everyday practices, the values they promote, and the scope of their actions inside and outside their walls. It echoes the concerns raised in the new NRP on the complex relationships between assistance and coercion (see NRP 76: www.pnr76.ch. Out-of-home placement or foster care, either in a residential institution or in a foster family, is a measure aiming at child protection, only used when judged necessary as it often leads to disruption in the child trajectory and within family relationships. There are multiple actors involved in out-of-home placements with different perspectives and power positions, for instance the various state agents in charge of carrying out the social measures, the underage and vulnerable recipients, or their distressed parents who have lost the custody of their offspring. Understanding the complex interplay of discourses and practices have shed light on current public debates about (substitute) parenthood, social responsibility (in relation with the arbitrary boundaries of childhood and legal adulthood, and in the special case of juvenile delinquency), social inequalities, and citizenship. In that regard, an anthropological perspective in the field of social work brings a new perspective both at the theoretical and methodological levels. This module will bring together researchers in Social sciences from Switzerland and abroad to provide insights on the implications of foster care from the perspective of the different actors, but also on other forms of parenthood, for instance with fosterage. It will also go beyond the period of the placement as early experiences have lasting consequences on individuals' life trajectories with the example of care leavers, and more broadly by tackling the issue of autonomy, and the transition to adulthood for young people lacking socioeconomic and relational resources. In addition to taking part in the discussion about the different presentations, PhD students will also have the opportunity to present their own research and obtain feedback from the experts and their peers.

Program

This course is organized by the Faculty of Social Work of the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland, with the support of swissuniversities. It is the first of a series of six sessions about social work which will be organized as part of the CUSO and the NCCR LIVES doctoral programs. For any information about these sessions : [email protected]

Responsables

Laurence Ossipow, professeure, Haute école de travail social de Genève - Haute Ecole Spécialisée de Suisse Occidentale.

Gaëlle Aeby, chercheuse post-doc, Haute école de travail social de Genève - Haute Ecole Spécialisée de Suisse Occidentale et Institut des sciences sociales de l'Université de Lausanne.

Intervenant.e.s

Arnaud Frauenfelder, professeur, Haute école de travail social de Genève - Haute Ecole Spécialisée de Suisse Occidentale.

Martin Goyette, professeur et titulaire Chaire de recherche du Canada sur l'évaluation des actions publiques à l'égard des jeunes et des populations vulnérables, Ecole nationale d'administration publique, Québec, Canada.

Sabina Loriga, directrice d'études à l'Ecole des hautes études en sciences sociales, Paris et Scuola universitaria professionale della Svizzera italiana.

Marianne Modak, professeure honoraire, Ecole d'études sociales et pédagogiques de Lausanne - Haute Ecole Spécialisée de Suisse Occidentale.

Catrien Notermans, professeure, Department of Anthropology and Development Studies, Radboud University Nijmegen, Pays-Bas.

Véronique Pache, professeure, Chaire d'anthropologie sociale de l'Université de Fribourg.

Summary

Reconsidering the role of welfare states toward children, young adults, and their families is a key issue that raises questions about the goals of social institutions, the involvement of social workers, their everyday practices, the values they promote, and the scope of their actions inside and outside their walls. It echoes the concerns raised in the new NRP on the complex relationships between assistance and coercion (see NRP 76: www.pnr76.ch. Out-of-home placement or foster care, either in a residential institution or in a foster family, is a measure aiming at child protection, only used when judged necessary as it often leads to disruption in the child trajectory and within family relationships. There are multiple actors involved in out-of-home placements with different perspectives and power positions, for instance the various state agents in charge of carrying out the social measures, the underage and vulnerable recipients, or their distressed parents who have lost the custody of their offspring. Understanding the complex interplay of discourses and practices have shed light on current public debates about (substitute) parenthood, social responsibility (in relation with the arbitrary boundaries of childhood and legal adulthood, and in the special case of juvenile delinquency), social inequalities, and citizenship. In that regard, an anthropological perspective in the field of social work brings a new perspective both at the theoretical and methodological levels. This module will bring together researchers in Social sciences from Switzerland and abroad to provide insights on the implications of foster care from the perspective of the different actors, but also on other forms of parenthood, for instance with fosterage. It will also go beyond the period of the placement as early experiences have lasting consequences on individuals' life trajectories with the example of care leavers, and more broadly by tackling the issue of autonomy, and the transition to adulthood for young people lacking socioeconomic and relational resources. In addition to taking part in the discussion about the different presentations, PhD students will also have the opportunity to present their own research and obtain feedback from the experts and their peers.

La Rouvraie, 2022 Bellevue-sur-Bevaix,

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