Raised by White People. Conceptualisations of ‘Culture’ in the Foster Placement of African Minority Youth in Norway

Abstract

This paper examines the intricate dynamics of transethnic foster placement in Norway, focusing on African minority youth and how ‘culture’ and ‘identity’ is conceptualised within this context. Through semi-structured interviews, the study builds on the lived experiences of a set of 15 families (including 60 children), alongside insights from fostered individuals, foster parents, and a placement official. The discussion delves into the profound effects of cultural dislocation and identity crisis experienced by minority youth, problematising how foster placement often leads to adverse life trajectories, including issues with uprootedness, substance abuse, psychiatric illness, and loss of ethnic identity. At the core of the discussion is the contention that while the child protection system in Norway is mandated to safeguard children, it inadvertently neglects the cultural rights and identity development of African minority youth. Employing insight from Franz Fanon and Jean-Paul Sartre to articulate the psychological impact and moral implications of such transethnic placements, the paper argues for re-evaluating assimilation practices and cultural rights within the child protection framework, highlighting the need for a culturally sensitive and rights-based approach to foster care. This research contributes to the broader discourse on human rights and social work, emphasising the ethical and legal dimensions of fostering minority children.