Cross-Cultural Mobility and Agency in Assessing the Appropriateness of Child Supervision in the Context of Cultural Diversity and Migration in Quebec

Mónica Ruiz-Casares (), Richard Sullivan, Emilia Gonzalez, Patricia Li and Carl Lacharité
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Mónica Ruiz-Casares: School of Child and Youth Care, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, ON M5B 2K3, Canada
Richard Sullivan: School of Social Work, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z2, Canada
Emilia Gonzalez: Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 1A1, Canada
Patricia Li: Department of Pediatrics, McGill University, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
Carl Lacharité: Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC G9A 5H7, Canada

Social Sciences, 2023, vol. 12, issue 9, 1-15

Abstract: Confusion over what constitutes appropriate childrearing practices in culturally diverse settings may result in the stigmatization of ethnic minority families and over-reporting to child welfare services. This study explored stakeholders’ views on (in)adequate supervision across cultural and socioeconomic groups and how they assess the risk of harm in cases of lack of supervision. Focus group discussions were held with (a) adult caregivers (n = 39) and adolescents (n = 63) in family-based care from French-speaking Quebecers and migrants from Latin America, the Caribbean, and South Asia; and (b) professionals (n = 67) in the education, health, child welfare, and security sectors in Quebec. The main criteria used to assess the appropriateness of supervision were the maturity, level of ability, age, and sex of the child, as well as contextual factors, such as proximity of other people, location, and type and duration of the activity. Mobility and immobility notions are used to explore the developmental considerations of competence and readiness within the home and in other social environments where adults’ and children’s perceptions of safety and maturity may differ, as well as the need to move away from rigid policy implementation. This paper advocates for careful consideration of the capacity and agency of children affected by migration in the provision of childcare support and their meaningful participation in research and decision making in matters that affect them.

Keywords: migration; child supervision; childcare; child agency; Canada; mobility (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A B N P Y80 Z00 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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