Parenting Council Research Clearinghouse: Library "S"
Same-Sex Couples and The Law: Discussion paper and backgrounder
Date:
1999
Published by:
Ministry of Justice
Location:
New Zealand
Abstract:
The status of same-sex couples has recently been tested in court in several cases. The High Court had to rule whether a same-sex partner should have to pay maintenance for the children she and her ex-partner cared for together during their relationship. The Court of Appeal had to decide whether same-sex couples could legally marry. The Court of Appeal ruled that allowing same-sex couples to marry was such a fundamental change in social policy it should only be initiated by Parliament
Sent Home -The impact on the family of a child’s exclusion from school
Author:
Andrew Smith
Date:
2009
Published by:
Families Commission
Location:
New Zealand
Abstract:
While international literature asserts that research interest in suspension and exclusion from school is increasing, few studies have considered the impact of exclusion on families or given voice to parents’ views.
This study aims to fill the apparent gap, and present the thoughts and feelings of New Zealand families affected by exclusion.
Separation from Children's Perspectives: Recent Research and some Food for Thought
Author:
Jan Pryor
Date:
2006
Published by:
Roy McKenzie Centre (Presentation for the Auckland Family Courts Association Conference)
Location:
New Zealand
Abstract:
On average, children who experience parental separation are at twice the risk of adverse outcomes. This powerpoint presentation examines recent studies of children caught in parental conflict, and draws tentative conclusions on how to help children adjust to parental separation.
This report looks at the relationships between 39 migrant and refugee parents and their teenagers as they settle into New Zealand.
The report shows these migrant parents are generally coping well but many think they are the only ones having problems and that they will lose respect and bring shame on the family if others know of their difficulties. Opening lines of communication within the family, between government or community agencies and families, and between different ethnic groups, would help ease the feelings of isolation
Shortcutting Policy: From Concept to Action for Family-Centred Communities
Author:
Francis Luketina
Date:
2009
Published by:
Ministry of Social Development - Social Policy Journal of New Zealand
Location:
New Zealand
Abstract:
This article describes a project that aims to ensure the needs of families are taken into account during policy and planning processes within local bodies. By this means, communities will become more family-centred. The project involves a partnership among the Families Commission, Local Government New Zealand and local bodies. Standard policy development approaches have been abandoned in favour of learning through doing. This involves local body representatives finding a way to bring a greater focus on the needs of families, which will be appropriate for their district. The solutions to this challenge might vary from district to district. The Families Commission and Local Government New Zealand are facilitating shared learning among the local body participants. The article also presents the results of a review of the literature on family-centred communities. The review set out to identify the key elements in these communities. It found that while there is a reasonable amount of material on child-friendly communities, healthy cities, safe cities, sustainable communities, and various other types of communities, there is very little specifically written from the point of view of families. Instead, the literature relevant to families is more focused on the planning process. The main finding of the literature review was that during planning, the priorities of families should be identified by engaging with families themselves, because each community is unique and will have different needs.
Alex Woodley and Nadine Metzger. Summary by Elizabeth Clements
Date:
2010
Published by:
Ministry of Social Development
Location:
New Zealand
Abstract:
Alex Woodley and Nadine Metzger of Point Research completed a review of the Ministry of Social Development’s SKIP (Strategies with Kids, Information for Parents) programme in 2009. The review focuses on success factors, using complexity theory and a community development approach for analysis.The research team spoke to eight Ministry of Social Development (MSD) SKIP staff, 75 parents, 12 community organisations and four national organisations. The MSD’s SKIP staff selected organisations they perceived as successful for case studies. The researchers selected interviewees that came from a range of geographical locations, types of activities, ethnicity, and variety in approach to SKIP projects. This summary report of their findings has been written by Dr. Elizabeth Clements.
International Journal of Child Youth and Family Welfare. Vol.9
Location:
New Zealand
Abstract:
This paper explores the micro-processes involved in family change. It is part of a wider series of studies undertaken across several nations that sought to develop our understanding about the ways in which community centres contribute to individual, family and community change. The paper reports upon a case study of one family which attended Te Aroha Noa Community Services in New Zealand and uses a detailed examination of a particular incident to shed light upon the theory of change which underpinned the work of the Centre. The paper also draws upon life history material from the parents who sought assistance from Te Aroha Noa and material collected in focus group interviews with staff, volunteers, board members and other service users at the Centre. The paper concludes that because they typically provide a wide range of different types of services and are able to respond to diverse needs, community centres are ideally placed to create and sustain change momentum within families.
Strategies with Kids – Information for Parents (SKIP) Research Report
Author:
Gravitas Research and Strategy
Date:
2005
Published by:
Ministry of Social Development Centre for Social Research and Evaluation
Location:
New Zealand
Abstract:
This report details the key findings from research into the Strategies with Kids –Information for Parents (SKIP) programme. It looks at influences on parenting and caregiving, cultural issues, use of physical discipline, readiness to engage with SKIP, engagement with community organisations and other professionals, and strategy fundamentals. It also describes how the findings have been incorporated into the design of the SKIP programme, and informed subsequent implementation and communications activities
Strengthening Rural Families - An exploration of industry transformation, community and social capital
Authors:
Colin G. Goodrich and Kaylene A Sampson
Date:
2008
Published by:
Families Commission
Location:
New Zealand
Abstract:
Researchers spoke to many families living in the small Westland communities of Hari Hari and Whataroa to create 12 'stories' that were representative of families living there.
Supervised Contact: the Views of Parents and Staff at Three Barnardos Contact Centres in the Southern Region of New Zealand
Authors:
Anita Gibbs and Margaret McKenzie
Date:
2006
Published by:
Families Commission
Location:
New Zealand
Abstract:
This report presents the findings of a study on the views and experiences of parents and staff involved in three supervised contact centres in the southern region of New Zealand , carried out in late 2005. The study was funded partly by the Families Commission and the University of Otago , in collaboration with Barnardos, the main non-governmental organisation in New Zealand providing supervised contact services.
All parents need assistance with parenting. For many disabled parents, standard sources of support are inaccessible or not adapted. Suitable, timely, imaginative and flexible support with parenting will generally be the best way to ensure that their children's needs and best interests are met. This requires professionals to have a primary focus on the barriers and solutions identified by parents themselves, and to guard against sidestepping parental support issues in favour of invoking children-in-need procedures unnecessarily.
Supporting Kiwi Dads - Role and needs of New Zealand fathers
Author:
Francis Luketina, Carl Davidson and Penny Palmer
Date:
2009
Published by:
Families Commission
Location:
New Zealand
Abstract:
The Supporting Kiwi Dads research surveyed 1721 fathers in early 2009. The report provides a snapshot of the views of fathers about a range of issues related to their role as dads, including support for fathers.
The range of fathers surveyed in Supporting Kiwi Dads illustrates the diversity of fathers in New Zealand today. Included were step-fathers, single fathers, separated dads, teenage parents, foster fathers, and fathers from a range of ethnic and social backgrounds.
Supporting young people's relationships (Issues Paper No. 2)
Date:
2010
Published by:
Families Commission
Location:
New Zealand
Abstract:
Parents and caregivers have far more influence than they might think on how young people develop and conduct their relationships.
The Families Commission’s Supporting Young People’s Relationships shows that the popular perception that “kids never listen” is not entirely true when it comes to teenage relationship issues.
Instead, the study reveals that even when young people are not talking much, and don’t seem to be listening, they are still watching. Young people learn how to conduct their own relationships from watching how their parents behave, and they carry these lessons into their own adult relationships.
Survey on Public Attitudes Towards The Physical Discipline Of Children
Author:
Sue Carswell
Date:
2001
Publisher:
Ministry of Justice
Location:
New Zealand
Abstract:
The survey was conducted by the Ministry of Justice to ascertain public attitudes towards the physical discipline of children. This information is to inform ongoing policy work on section 59 of the Crimes Act 1961. Section 59 provides a defence to parents charged with assault against their children. Under section 59, every parent of a child (and every person in the place of the parent of a child) is justified in using force by way of correction towards the child, if the force used is reasonable in the circumstances.
Survey on the importance of parents’ role - Public opinion poll (#3686) -Research New Zealand
Date:
2008
Published by:
Families Commission
Location:
New Zealand
Abstract:
This report presents the results of a study (conducted as part of Research New Zealand’s November omnibus survey) in order to measure the general public’s opinion about the importance of parents’ role (in raising young children and teenagers).
