An Exploration of identity and need from the narratives of young parents who are, or have been, looked after.
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Strathclyde
Department Name: Social Work
Abstract
Increasingly there is evidence to suggest that young people in and leaving care in Scotland have poorer outcomes than their peer's one indicator of this is an increased risk of younger parenthood (Munro & Stein, 2008; Dixon & Stein, 1995). However, there is a gap in our understanding of the experiences of this group, particularly in relation to the construction of their identity and needs.
This research seeks to address this gap by examining the expressed needs of parents using Goffman's (1959) concept of self and the presentation of self. This theoretical framework will be applied to explore parents' understanding of self within the dual position of having had experience of being looked after and being a young parent. As well as the performance of this self in the presentation of their needs and the interpretation of this by professionals.
Research Aim:
To expand understanding of the experience of being a young parent alongside being a looked after young person or care leaver.
Research Questions:
1.How do young parents who are looked after or care leavers construct and present their identities?
2.What needs are expressed by young parents who are looked after or care leavers and to what extent are these needs interrelated with their identity?
3.What do professionals perceive the needs of this group to be?
4.To what extent does the expression of need from young parents' overlap with professionals' perception of need?
5.Do the concepts of expressed and perceived need assist understandings of professional decision making?
This research seeks to address this gap by examining the expressed needs of parents using Goffman's (1959) concept of self and the presentation of self. This theoretical framework will be applied to explore parents' understanding of self within the dual position of having had experience of being looked after and being a young parent. As well as the performance of this self in the presentation of their needs and the interpretation of this by professionals.
Research Aim:
To expand understanding of the experience of being a young parent alongside being a looked after young person or care leaver.
Research Questions:
1.How do young parents who are looked after or care leavers construct and present their identities?
2.What needs are expressed by young parents who are looked after or care leavers and to what extent are these needs interrelated with their identity?
3.What do professionals perceive the needs of this group to be?
4.To what extent does the expression of need from young parents' overlap with professionals' perception of need?
5.Do the concepts of expressed and perceived need assist understandings of professional decision making?