ABSTRACT

In recent years the notion of parenting and parenthood have increasingly come under examination from the media and professionals and, in particular, government and politicians. More and more, parents are being held to account by society for their failure to deliver the sort of citizens it wants. But what are parents supposed to be doing? Are there some people that are inherently unfit to be parents and does there exist a body of knowledge that defines fit parenting?
Who's fit to be a parent? covers this highly topical and important subject in a stimulating and accessible way that cuts across numerous professional disciplines and opens up the boundaries between professional and personal expertise on parenting.
It is essential reading for any professional or student of social work and social policy, those working in the voluntary services concerned with the family, social policy makers and for anyone interested in understanding what it means to be a parent today.

chapter |3 pages

Introduction

part I|121 pages

Parents on trial

chapter 1|31 pages

The state versus parents

Children into care

chapter 2|23 pages

Other people's children

Who's fit to adopt?

chapter 3|33 pages

Parents apart

Who keeps the children?

chapter 4|21 pages

Playing God

The medical gift of children

chapter 5|12 pages

Key themes from Part I

part II|139 pages

Parents on the edge

chapter 6|18 pages

Disabled parents

chapter 7|17 pages

Mentally handicapped parents

chapter 8|9 pages

Drug addicted mothers

chapter 9|12 pages

Gay parents

chapter 10|8 pages

Teenage mothers

chapter 11|8 pages

Older mothers

chapter 12|13 pages

Single mothers

chapter 13|8 pages

Lone fathers

chapter 14|14 pages

Working mothers

chapter 15|22 pages

Black parents

chapter 16|6 pages

Key themes from Part II

part III|34 pages

The job description