A voice was heard in Ramah: the uncontrollable and uncomfortable tears of Black parents as they navigate complex parenting rules and processes in Toronto

Minka, Eric (2018) A voice was heard in Ramah: the uncontrollable and uncomfortable tears of Black parents as they navigate complex parenting rules and processes in Toronto. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

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Abstract

Where children grow up has a major impact on what they become as adults. Towards achieving what is optimal for one’s children, parents across cultures carry out different parenting practices. Despite this, Black parents in Canada feel their parenting practices are unfairly targeted by Child Welfare Agencies (CWA), resulting in the overrepresentation of Black children in the welfare system. This thesis presents qualitative findings on Black parents’ knowledge, perceptions, and experiences of navigating through complex Child protection rules and processes in Toronto, Canada. Results revealed that Black parenting experiences are shaped and influenced by cultural knowledge and perceived anti-Black racism in Canada, yet CWA hardly consider this information in their engagements with Black families. Further, most participants had negative perceptions of CWA as people who disunite families and racially target Black families. The study reifies that CWA need to take necessary steps to understand the complex contexts of Black parenting.

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