A Quest for Justice: Recognition and Migrant Interactions with Child Welfare Services in Norway

Abstract

Norwegian Child Welfare Services (NCWS) has faced intense criticism regarding their interactions with migrant families, with international human rights monitoring mechanisms expressing concern regarding ethnic discrimination over the past decade. Our aim is to contribute to the academic discussion around migrant interactions with NCWS through exploring the suitability and relevance of Nancy Fraser’s theory of social justice, with a particular focus on recognition. We utilize the narratives of two migrant parents and two child welfare practitioners supplemented by critiques from international human rights monitoring mechanisms to bridge the gap between the theoretical level, institutions, and daily practices. Three areas regarding the suitability of recognition in the case of NCWS are discussed: misrecognition as institutionalized subordination; equality, sameness, and difference in the Nordic welfare state; and the dynamic nature of culture. While we find recognition to be an essential element to be considered in the case of NCWS, we emphasize recognition must also be considered within Fraser’s larger understanding of social justice, alongside redistribution and representation.