Experts and migrants – A survey experiment on public acceptance of violence and child protection interventions

Abstract

Do experts influence public attitudes toward familial violence and child protection interventions? Are public attitudes on familial violence and child protection interventions biased against migrant families? I conduct a vignette experiment survey on the Norwegian population’s acceptance of psychological and indirect violence to determine whether acceptance increases or decreases due to causal claims credited to experts and/or alleged violence in migrant families, and whether these factors influence the population’s recommended intervention. The analysis shows that there is significant differential acceptance with regard to violence in the children’s environment in migrant and non-migrant families. Yet, concerning psychological violence and state interventions there appears to be little difference. The population attitudes appear unaffected by expert claims with regard to acceptance of violence and state interventions. The study contextualises criticism against the Norwegian child protection services that claims migrant children risks living longer under violent conditions in Norway, as well as claims about a lack of cultural sensitivity. Judicial decision-makers acting in this environment must balance allegations of violence with societal norms and the law, having to ensure equality and not legitimising potential discriminating attitudes.