Throughout our lives, we developed beliefs,
perceptions, and attitudes that are misinformed and stereotypical. This
incorrect information can impact our perceptions and thoughts about individuals
and things. These misconceptions are developed because of the information we
received from family and through life experiences. This unconscious behavior is
called implicit Bias. These
preconceptions and actions are unintentional and done without cognizance.
Implicit Bias can affect our evaluations and opinions
of others. It can also negatively impact our decisions and cause victims to
suppress the implicit attitudes perpetrated against them. This behavior can
also adversely influence our ability to be open-minded and make informed
assessments.
In the child welfare agency, Implicit Bias has
impacted families of color. Research has shown the prevalence of racial
overrepresentation of Black, Latino, and Native families who have entered the
child welfare system. All have more
substantiated cases than White families.
Studies show that racial disparities in child welfare
transpire among families of color on every case process level. It is seen
during the social worker's initial assessment of the families until the case is
terminated.
The usual process with child welfare begins when a
call is received suspecting child abuse. This prompts an investigation. The
child welfare worker will meet with the family to assess and establish whether
these accusations are true. During this
process, the worker decides whether the allegations are unproven or are
confirmed. If the allegations are
accurate, then a child welfare case will be opened for further assistance and monitoring.
During the initial investigation, the worker does
several assessments to determine the possibility of current, repeated, or
potential child abuse. Families that are evaluated at a low-mild chance of
child endangerment can be referred to less invasive services. This means that
the families would not have to be monitored by the court system. They also can
be connected to a community agency that would provide them with an array of
resources to meet their need.
During the worker's assessment, it can also be
determined whether children can remain with their parents or be removed.
There are those situations where it is evident child
welfare services need to intervene in families' lives. In this case, some form
of child abuse or neglect was apparent.
However, there is an occurrence of cases where child abuse or neglect
may not be that clear. This is when the
social worker must decide on the family's outcome. This is also where Implicit
Bias could be a contributing factor, especially when workers do not recognize
their biases.
In my previous blog, I explained how I worked with a
mother who did everything possible to get her children back. The supervisor
insisted that basically, I uncover a shortcoming with this mother to inhibit
her from reunifying with her children. My co-workers suggested this supervisor
adopted previous practices where children from specific environments were not
returned home for some reason. Looking back on this situation and other shared
experiences, I see this as Implicit Bias.
This family was of color and from a low socioeconomic background. The parent complied with all required
services and more. However, the supervisor's suggestion was unnecessary and
unfair.
As a child welfare social worker, I have witnessed
most families served were Black and Latino. I observed several instances of
Implicit Bias among co-workers. There are several occurrences where
investigative social workers are deceptive when interviewing the families for
possible neglect. They will ask the parents a series of questions regarding their
past and present lifestyle. It may be a situation where a report was made to
CPS indicating the parents were arguing around the children.
The investigator questions casually if the parent used
drugs or alcohol.
The parents may disclose they previously smoked
marijuana. The worker will make a case that the parents are current drug users.
I have seen this and other similar examples in many
case situations among minority families.
There was also a situation where I received 2 new
cases that involved working with young black women. The case was transferred to
me because the previous worker, who was of a different race, failed to provide
the young women with the needed services. It was explained that the worker had
a habit of focusing more on his male clients and less on the women.
Another example was a worker who claimed he did not
connect with a black male client. He stated that the young man looked like a "Gang Banger."
Implicit Bias has been observed with supervisors and
managers. An example involved the female black workers being reprimanded
for sharing their knowledge about the job and not being submissive to a male
supervisor of a different race.
Implicit Bias could be alleviated if culturally
appropriate guidelines, measures, and practices were enforced. These policies need to be utilized by
managers as well as staff. This will encourage staff to change or become aware
of their attitudes.
The bottom line is that it is crucial to first
acknowledge the problem before the issues can be addressed.
References
Beniwal, R. (n.d.). Implicit Bias in Child Welfare ...
- OpenCommons@UConn. https://opencommons.uconn.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?
https://opencommons.uconn.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1364&context=law_review.
Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity |
Center for the Study of Social Policy. (n.d.). Implicit Racial Bias 101:
Exploring Implicit Bias in Child Protection.
https://kirwaninstitute.osu.edu/implicit-bias-101.
Lee, J., Ackerman-Brimberg, M., & Bell, Z. (2016,
December 23). Implicit Bias in the Child Welfare, Education and Mental Health
Systems. National Center for Youth Law.
https://youthlaw.org/publication/implicit-bias-in.
Merritt, D. H. (n.d.). How Do Families Experience and
Interact with CPS? - Darcey H. Merritt, 2020. SAGE Journals.
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/0002716220979520.
