The content of positive parenting
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Transcript The content of positive parenting
Positive parenting. Implications for
mother and fathers in risk of social
exclusion
Mona Sandbaek
Senior Researcher NOVA/HiO
Oslo
Madrid, 14 & 15 December 2010
The Council of Europe
Parenting in contemporary Europe.
A positive approach
Introduction. Mary Daly (editor)
Towards a vision of parenting in the best
interest of the child. N. Pecnik
A non-violent upbringing of children. S. Janson
Services to support positive parenting
M. Sandbaek
Support for parenting of children at risk of
social exclusion. A.Abela & G. Berlioz
Parenting-an element in drug prevention.
M.B.Sæther
Recommendation (2006) 19 on policy
to support positive parenting
Keys for parents
Guidelines for professionals
Main points
Parenting in the light of new knowledge
and the UN convention on the Rights of the
Child
Guidelines for a non-violent upbringing
Policies to support parental practices in
accordance with the UNCRC
Implications for mothers and fathers in risk
of social exclusion
The concept
“in the best interest of the child”
Parental guidance should respect
- the evolving capacities of the child,
- the views of the child,
- the right to be free from violence, neglect
and humiliating punishment
Parents should secure children’s living
conditions /if necessary with state support
The content of positive parenting
Creating good relationships, structures
and routines, attitudes and values
Providing children with nurture, structure,
recognition and empowerment
Exercise assertive but non-violent
discipline
Key concepts
NURTURE
(warmth, acceptance, involvement, support,...)
STRUCTURE
(guidance,standards, limits and reasons...)
RECOGNITION
(acknowledge child’s experience and views)
EMPOWERMENT
(enhance the evolving capacities of the child and its
increasing sense of autonomy)
Authoritative parenting
Warm and involved
Consistent in establishing and enforcing
guidelines, limits and developmentally
appropriate expectations
Allowing and promoting autononomous
behaviour and decision making
Children’s views on positive
parenting
Consultation with 22 young people (13-18)
and their parents – from 19 countries. (2005)
Different views also among children
They presented their views to the Conference
for European Family Ministers 2006
Content of positive parenting
according to children
The importance of being loved and cared for
A cultural climate of mutual understanding
They accepted and requested parental
guidance and boundaries, but in a non-violent
way (CoE 2007: Views on positive parenting
and non-violent upbringing).
Physical harm
Violation of Human Rights
The Universal Declaration on Human
Rights of 1948
The European Social Charter, art 17,
and the revised Social Charter 2001
UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
National legislation
The Risk of a Violent Upbringing
Biological Consequences of Violence
Psychological and Social Consequences
of Violence
Promote children’s external
attributions/causes aggression, delinquency
and antisocial behaviour/close link between
corporal punishment and physical abuse
Seven Practices of Discipline
that Promote the Child’s Dignity
Respect of the child’s dignity
Develop pro-social behaviour, self discipline
and character
Maximise the child’s active participation
Respect the child’s developmental needs and
quality of life
Respect the child’s motivation and views
Assure fairness and transformative justice
Promote solidarity (S.Janson 2007)
Strategies to Help Children learn
Positive Behaviours
Providing regular positive attention and
communicate this to children of all ages
Listening carefully to children and helping
them to express their feelings
Helping children to learn how to evaluate
the potential consequences of choices
Reinforcing desirable behaviours with
praise and ignoring trivial misdeeds
Continuing
Modelling orderly, predictable behaviour,
respectful communication, and
collaborative conflict resolution strategies
Measures needed to support parents
ENSURING UNIVERSAL RIGHTS TO
MATERIAL SUPPORT;
- Public transfers and taxation
- Regulations for reconciling work and family life
- Childcare facilities
ENSURING ACCESS TO DIVERSE SERVICES
- Continuum; informal, semi-formal and form
Main Trends in Services
for Families and Children
Local centres, closer to people
Educational programmes for parents and
children
Services and programmes targeting
populations at risk
Child protection services
Institutions protecting children’s rights
Values to include parents and
children
Non-judgmental and non-stigmatising
orientation
A bottom-up approach
Treating parents and children as partners
Multi-focused and flexible services
Integrated, community based services
Inclusive of the experience of minority and
ethnic groups
Children’s living conditions- the
importance of family finances
Universal transfers and services
Targeted economic support and services
A child perspective on services for adults
Measures safe-guarding children’s rights
to participation, in particular a free school
and access to leisure activities
Parenting in situations of social
exclusion
Access to social rights, income,
employment, housing, education and
health
Reaching out to the families in their homes
and providing long-term support
Considering the families in their context
Continuing
Providing them with good quality services
Building a trustworthy relationship and enabling
them to regain control of their own lives,
avoiding stigmatising practices
Training for parents and professionals together
Ensuring professionals competence and cooperation
Reaching out to professionals
Childcare, schools and after-school facilities,
health services and leisure activities
Co-operation between service providers
Co-operation between professionals and
parents
Overall principles in Rec (2006) 19
A RIGHTS-BASED APPROACH
RESPECT FOR PARENTS AND CHILDREN
AND THEIR POTENTIAL
RECOGNICE THE DIVERSE TYPES OF
FAMILIES AND PARENTING
ADDRESS KEY PLAYERS; CHILDCARE,
SCHOOL, HEALTH
PROMOTE COOPERATION
Council of Europe recommends
that governments
…………………………create the
necessary conditions for positive parenting
in the best interests of the child
Take all appropriate legislative,
administrative, financial and other
measures…………………(CoE’s
Recommendation (2006) 19)