ABSTRACT
During the 1960s and early 1970s a large number of black children were received into the care of local authorities with what could at best be described as religious zeal. Many reasons have been put forward for this (Commission for Racial Equality 1977). First, many Afro-Caribbean women arrived in Britain as single parents, leaving their children in their countries of origin. When the children eventually joined them here, difficulties in relationships often arose (Robertson 1976). These could have been resolved by counselling, support, and advice, but more drastic measures were taken. Another reason given for black children being in care is the unavailability of traditional methods of support for their parents. For example, grandparents, neighbours, and friends played a crucial role in the upbringing and discipline of children in the Caribbean, whereas in Britain parenting is seen as a more individualistic task; labels such as ‘inadequate’, ‘uncaring’, or ‘good’ are given according to the perceived parenting capacity of the individual.
