"The System Is Stacked against Them": Attorneys' Perspectives on Intersectional Oppression, Disabled Parents, and the Child Welfare System.
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| Title: | "The System Is Stacked against Them": Attorneys' Perspectives on Intersectional Oppression, Disabled Parents, and the Child Welfare System. |
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| Authors: | Duffy, Luci (AUTHOR), Powell, Robyn (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | Social Work Research. Jun2026, Vol. 50 Issue 2, p107-118. 12p. |
| Subjects: | Child welfare, Power (Social sciences), Health services accessibility, Qualitative research, Research funding, Socioeconomic factors, Interviewing, Content analysis, Statistical sampling, Family relations, Judgment sampling, Intersectionality, Racism, Thematic analysis, Patient-professional relations, Attitudes of medical personnel, Psychological stress, Research methodology, Videoconferencing, Psychology of parents, Discrimination (Sociology), People with disabilities, Poverty |
| Geographic Terms: | United States |
| Abstract: | Studies have documented pervasive ableism faced by disabled parents within the child welfare system. However, the experiences of disabled parents facing multiple forms of oppression in this context remain understudied. Recognizing the heterogeneity of disabled parents, this study investigated intersectional oppression from the perspective of attorneys who represent disabled parents in child welfare cases. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 23 attorneys in the United States who represent disabled parents in child welfare cases. Content analysis revealed three main themes related to the experiences and outcomes of disabled parents facing intersectional oppression: systemic mechanisms of oppression, intermediate impacts, and ultimate outcomes. Drivers of intersectional oppression included system structure and institutional barriers, power dynamics, and cross-system interactions. Intermediate impacts encompassed the child welfare system's response and parent experiences, whereas ultimate outcomes included case outcomes and long-term family impact. Addressing intersectional oppression faced by disabled parents necessitates substantive and comprehensive system restructuring, including rules, statutes, practices, and services that currently punish and marginalize affected disabled parents. Paired with structural and policy reform, intersectional training must also be required for all professionals involved with the system to erode individual-level bias. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| Database: | Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
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| Abstract: | Studies have documented pervasive ableism faced by disabled parents within the child welfare system. However, the experiences of disabled parents facing multiple forms of oppression in this context remain understudied. Recognizing the heterogeneity of disabled parents, this study investigated intersectional oppression from the perspective of attorneys who represent disabled parents in child welfare cases. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 23 attorneys in the United States who represent disabled parents in child welfare cases. Content analysis revealed three main themes related to the experiences and outcomes of disabled parents facing intersectional oppression: systemic mechanisms of oppression, intermediate impacts, and ultimate outcomes. Drivers of intersectional oppression included system structure and institutional barriers, power dynamics, and cross-system interactions. Intermediate impacts encompassed the child welfare system's response and parent experiences, whereas ultimate outcomes included case outcomes and long-term family impact. Addressing intersectional oppression faced by disabled parents necessitates substantive and comprehensive system restructuring, including rules, statutes, practices, and services that currently punish and marginalize affected disabled parents. Paired with structural and policy reform, intersectional training must also be required for all professionals involved with the system to erode individual-level bias. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| ISSN: | 10705309 |
| DOI: | 10.1093/swr/svag003 |
