Origins and rationale of centres for parents and young children together |
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Authors: | Miwako Hoshi‐Watanabe Tullia Musatti Sylvie Rayna Michel Vandenbroeck |
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Institution: | 1. Nagoya University of Arts, Nagoya, Japan;2. Institute of Cognitive Sciences & Technologies, National Research Council of Italy, Rome, Italy;3. Centre Experice, Université Paris 13, Paris, France;4. Ecole Normale Supérieure, Lyon, France;5. Department of Social Welfare Studies, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium |
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Abstract: | The range of centres where parents and children come together has mushroomed in different parts of the world, as new social work practices address the emerging non‐material needs of parents in changing demographic contexts. In this paper, we explore the origins and modi operandi of these centres in Belgium, France, Italy and Japan. Analysis of previous studies and policy documents reveal diverse political rationales, including addressing declining birth rates, preventing psychosocial problems and social isolation of mothers and promoting social cohesion and equality of educational opportunities. Remarkably, despite the diverse cultural and socio‐political contexts and rationales, these centres also share very similar ways of functioning and provide an informal type of social support to parents with young children. As these recently emerged centres are seldom studied, further research is welcomed to explore parents' and professionals' perspectives. |
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Keywords: | child care planning child care policy and practice child welfare family policy family social work parenting/parenthood |
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