Public and private families: a comparative thematic analysis of the intersections of social norms and scrutiny

Published on Feb 1, 2016in Health Sociology Review1.122
¡ DOI :10.1080/14461242.2015.1135071
Damien W. Riggs26
Estimated H-index: 26
 (Flinders University), Clare Bartholomaeus13
Estimated H-index: 13
 (Flinders University), Clemence Due19
Estimated H-index: 19
 (University of Adelaide)
Sources
Abstract
ABSTRACTDespite the increased diversification of Australian families, the nuclear family formed through reproductive heterosex continues to be treated as the norm. This paper argues that this norm impacts negatively upon families formed in other ways, by exposing them to increased scrutiny. Drawing on interviews with 60 participants from four cohorts (families formed through reproductive heterosex, intercountry adoption, long-term foster care, or surrogacy), a comparative thematic analysis is presented in which two key themes are elaborated: (1) the impact of government policies and practices, and (2) the degree to which families are treated as public property. Findings suggest that families formed through reproductive heterosex were the least regulated and scrutinised; families formed through either adoption or surrogacy received a considerable degree of regulation and scrutiny; and foster families were the most scrutinised and negatively impacted by government policies. The paper concludes by considerin...
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#1Damien W. RiggsH-Index: 26
#2Elizabeth PeelH-Index: 27
This book draws together research on posthumanism and studies of kinship to elaborate an account of western human kinship practices. Studies of kinship have increasingly sought to critique the normative assumptions that often underpin how caring relationships between humans are understood. The categorisation of 'human' and 'kinship' is brought into question and this book examines who might be excluded through adherence to accepted categories and how a critical lens may broaden our understanding ...
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In his elaboration of the concept of ‘reproductive citizenship’, Turner (Turner B.S., 2001. The erosion of citizenship. The British journal of sociology, 52 (2), 189–209) suggested something of a homogeneous accumulation of cultural capital to those who make a reproductive contribution to contemporary western societies. The present article takes up this suggestion and proposes that whilst reproduction is indeed a hallmark of contemporary citizenship, the cultural capital arising from this is sti...
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May 1, 2012¡Journal of Family Nursing3.82
#1Stacy Blythe (University of Western Sydney)H-Index: 6
#2Debra Jackson (UTS: University of Technology, Sydney)H-Index: 87
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Stigma is a powerful social phenomenon with insidious health implications. Understanding stigma as it applies to various populations is imperative for nurses as it enables nurses to enhance individual patient care and nurses are well positioned to influence both social and health care policies which may exacerbate the experience of stigma. This article is a report of a study to explore the experiences of women who provide long-term foster care. Interviews were conducted with 20 women who provide...
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background: The aim of the present study was to explore current Australian support levels for surrogacy treatments and also whether this support differed between traditional surrogacy and gestational surrogacy. The focus was also on understanding the underlying influences on surrogacy attitudes. It was hypothesized that cognitions, psychological and demographic characteristics would all predict attitudes to surrogacy and that cognitive concerns about surrogacy would be the strongest predictor. m...
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#1Ingrid J. Rowlands (UQ: University of Queensland)H-Index: 17
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Miscarriage, a common event in the early stages of pregnancy, has been associated with clinical levels of anxiety and depression. Most of the evidence describing what is helpful for women in their journey through miscarriage has been conducted in the UK. As the Australian health care system is somewhat different, this study uses qualitative methods to examine whether Australian women face different challenges when coping with miscarriage. Semi-structured interviews with 9 women (aged 35-42; M=37...
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A series of harrowing reports across the 1990s on the past removal of children, black and white, from their families have impacted on children and family policy in contemporary Australia, and on the way in which this is reported by the media and understood by the public. This paper briefly surveys some of these consequences and asks how we, as a community, can learn from the past with respect to questions of the welfare of children, without being burdened by that past.
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Little is known about the emotional pressures and practical management of daily challenges and, intra and interpersonal demands of raising a child as a parent with a diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum Conditions. The present study utilised a qualitative approach to understand perceptions of females diagnosed on the autistic spectrum of ‘being a parent’. Eight semi-structured interviews were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Benefits and challenges of being a parent were highli...
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News media have the power to influence public opinion and economic growth. News coverage of landmark urban parks may influence public support of such parks, potentially increasing economic growth. ...
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#1Damien W. Riggs (Flinders University)H-Index: 26
In countries such as Australia, the UK, and the USA, growing numbers of LGBTQ people are becoming foster parents. This chapter summarizes what is known from the research evidence, primarily focusing on lesbian and gay foster parents given the dearth of research on bisexual, transgender, and queer foster parents. Key themes identified from the literature were (a) the silencing of sexuality, (b) the pathologizing of sexuality, (c) the expectation that LGBTQ foster parents demonstrate “appropriate”...
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Social workers around the world work with families and family complexities in their everyday practice. In this cross-national study, we explore social workers’ family intervention practices related ...
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Feb 12, 2018¡Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology2.48
#1Damien W. Riggs (Flinders University)H-Index: 26
#2Clemence Due (University of Adelaide)H-Index: 19
AbstractObjective: To understand levels of support for differences between families in terms of sexuality and mode of family formation across three countries.Background: Previous research has found that attitudes towards family diversity continue to improve over time, although differences remain.Methods: Subjects were 1605 people living in Australia, the United Kingdom or the United States who completed a questionnaire which sought to explore levels of support for a diverse range of family forms...
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Separation and divorce are realities faced by many families. Yet in the case of foster and adoptive families, only a small number of studies have looked at the way such experiences affect them. This article seeks to fill this gap by exploring the nature and consequences of separation and divorce among foster and adoptive families in Australia and the United States. A thematic analysis of primary and secondary data collected by the authors identified three dominant themes: (1) that divorcing fost...
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