Silenced suffering : the disenfranchised grief of birthmothers compulsorily separated from their children

• Main Author: McKegney, Sherrie
• Other Authors: Davies, Linda (advisor)
• Format: Others
• Language: en
• Published: McGill University 2003
• Subjects: Birthmothers > Canada.; Adoption > Canada > Psychological aspects; Child welfare > Canada > Psychological aspects
• Online Access: http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=81253

Few efforts have been made to understand the subjective experiences of birthparents involved in the child welfare system, especially of those who have had their parental rights permanently removed. The research undertaken seeks an initial investigation of this neglected issue, providing accounts of four birthmothers' experiences of having one or more of their children involuntarily and permanently removed from their care as a result of child neglect. Implicit in this research is the assumption that these mothers do indeed suffer tremendous grief over the loss of their children, regardless of child welfare agencies' assessments of their parenting capacities. Furthermore, the research critically evaluates how child welfare practice and policy might serve to exacerbate incumbent issues of loss, ultimately disenfranchising this already isolated and stigmatized population. Therefore, this qualitative study endeavours to assist not only child protection workers, but also the greater community in better understanding what it is like to be a "child welfare parent" who has had her parental rights terminated, and to be aware of the existing imbalance of power between child welfare agencies and the clientele they serve. The study ultimately aims to help ensure that human dignity and genuine respect are not lost in the work of child protection.