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Ethnic disproportionality in the child welfare system: A Norwegian national cohort study

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  • Staer, Trine
  • Bjørknes, Ragnhild

Abstract

This study of Norwegian child welfare clients examined the extent to which ethnic disparities in involvement with the child welfare system can be attributed to ethnic differences in sociodemographic background. Using logistic regression models and a unique dataset constructed by linking child welfare records to national administrative registers for the 1993–1994 birth cohorts, we computed ethnic disparities in the odds of child welfare involvement at age 6–12 (N=122,894), both before and after adjustments for sociodemographic background. Compared with ethnic Norwegian cohort peers, non-Western children had twice the unadjusted odds of entering the child welfare system (odds ratio=2.13). However, the data also indicated pronounced ethnic disparities in eight sociodemographic correlates of child welfare involvement. When adjustments for these background factors were modeled, we found no ethnic differences in the odds of child welfare involvement. Our findings suggest that the association between ethnicity and child welfare involvement is confounded by differences in socioeconomic status, maternal social assistance, family size and family structure.

Suggested Citation

  • Staer, Trine & Bjørknes, Ragnhild, 2015. "Ethnic disproportionality in the child welfare system: A Norwegian national cohort study," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 56(C), pages 26-32.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:56:y:2015:i:c:p:26-32
    DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2015.06.008
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    1. Putnam-Hornstein, Emily & Needell, Barbara, 2011. "Predictors of child protective service contact between birth and age five: An examination of California's 2002 birth cohort," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 33(8), pages 1337-1344, August.
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    1. Robichaud, Marie-Joëlle & Pullen Sansfaçon, Annie & Poirier, Marie-Andrée, 2020. "Decision making at substantiation in cases involving racialized families: Child protection workers’ perceptions of influential factors," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 110(C).
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    3. Fylkesnes, Marte Knag & Taylor, Julie & Iversen, Anette Christine, 2018. "Precarious participation: Exploring ethnic minority youth's narratives about out-of-home placement in Norway," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 88(C), pages 341-347.

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