Understanding child neglect from an Aboriginal worldview: Perceptions of Aboriginal parents and human services workers in a rural NSW community

Abstract

Very little is known about how Aboriginal parents experiencing vulnerabilities and communities perceive child neglect, despite Aboriginal families being disproportionately likely to encounter child protection services compared to other groups in society. Through this research I aim to develop an Aboriginal understanding of child neglect by exploring perceptions of child neglect, the factors influencing these perceptions, and the challenges Aboriginal families experience in caring for children.

The research was undertaken in an Aboriginal community in rural NSW. Indigenous research methods were used at all stages of the study including a participatory approach through community forums. Eighteen Aboriginal parents and nine Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal workers participated in semi-structured in-depth interviews. Participants were also asked questions about a series of vignettes where children were at risk of neglect.

I found that Aboriginal parents perceived child neglect in a similar way to Aboriginal and non- Aboriginal human services workers; overall participants perceived child neglect in a way that is consistent with mainstream views. I also found that a combination of personal and environmental influences informed perceptions on child neglect. Violence and substance abuse were main risk factors for child neglect. Historical trauma, lateral violence, racism and discrimination, and feeling powerless were prevalent in the community and this had a significant impact on the ability of some parents to care for their children. Another key finding was that many parents were raising children in isolation and that, contrary to the expectations about the collective child-rearing practices within Aboriginal communities, there was not a shared responsibility for caring for all children in this community.

I conclude that there are little differences in the way Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people understand child neglect. Instead it is the difficult circumstances experienced by Aboriginal families that keep parents from actualising their parenting expectations. This means that some Aboriginal families continue to face challenges in caring for their children. These circumstances also help to explain the overrepresentation of Aboriginal children in out of home care. These difficulties are systemic and I argue that multilevel responses are needed to improve the situations of families in the community and for the wellbeing of children.