| ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH REPORT | PAGE 1
Understanding the lives of families with young children living In deprived areas in Wigan and Oldham: ethnographic research Findings | ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH REPORT | PAGE 2
Page No. Contents
P.3 Introduction P.7 Participant Breakdown P.8 Kinship: Wigan Findings P.11 Interview Study 1: Wigan P.13 Kinship: Oldham Findings P.17 Interview Study 2: Oldham P.19 Parenthood: Wigan P.22 Parenthood: Oldham P.25 Relationship with Services: Wigan P.33 Interview Study 3: Wigan P.35 Relationship with Services: Oldham P.38 Interview Study 4: Oldham P.41 Sense of Place: Wigan P.43 Sense of Place: Oldham P.45 Housing: Wigan P.47 Interview Study 5: Wigan P.49 Housing: Oldham P.50 Interview Study 6: Oldham P.52 Employment and Income: Wigan P.55 Employment and Income: Oldham P.56 Aspirations: Wigan P.58 Aspirations: Oldham P.59 Final Recommendations INTRO | ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH REPORT | PAGE 3
Understanding the lives Context Aims To develop a clear understanding of the of families with young it is increasingly important to act lives and support needs of families with preventatively,In a climate of great in order financial to move pressure citizens young children living in deprived areas children living in from dependence to self-reliance. This in Oldham and Wigan. is particularly important in relation to deprived areas supporting families in deprived areas. Objectives This approach was outlined in To inform service re-design through of Wigan and Oldham: The Greater Manchester Strategy the City Region and Community Budget (Association of Greater Manchester Pilots,• equipping Wigan and Oldham ethnographic research Authorities, 2009) and is being taken Councils with a deeper understanding forward through the City Region spatial of families with complex needs. Findings pilots and the Community Budget Pilot. To understand how to better support these families from heavy service of the Total Place report of 2010 dependence• to independence. (AssociationThese pilots willof Greater build on Manchester the findings To understand, from the families’ Ethnographic research to better Authorities and Warrington Borough perspectives, what kind of support understand how to improve the life Council), and focus on developing would• have the greatest impact on their ‘whole area’ approaches to supporting futures and that of their children. chances of families with young children families. To identify barriers in the families’ living in deprived areas of lives to making positive changes. Wigan and Oldham Councils recognise • To identify the point at which Wigan and Oldham. that in order to adopt a preventative, interventions could be most effective. ‘whole area’ approach to supporting • To explore support systems for families in deprived areas they need to children and families that exist in understand their lives and experiences the• community, and how Wigan and more deeply. This research is designed Oldham Councils might be able to to support this preventative agenda; better work with them. by better understanding and involving the families with the greatest need, The report includes a set of we can begin to develop a strategy to high level recommendations for how implement real and sustainable change Wigan and Oldham Councils can better in their lives. support these families. INTRO | ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH REPORT | PAGE 4
Approach
Wigan and Oldham Councils commissioned thinkpublic to help them understand how to improve the life chances of families with young children living in deprived areas of Wigan and Oldham. To do this we developed a programme of research. This consisted of:
Training thinkpublic researchers trained members of staff from Wigan and Oldham Councils to interview families with young children. Members of staff were trained in the principles of ethnographic1 research and how to accurately capture the comments and observed behaviours of families. INTRO | ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH REPORT | PAGE 5
Research thinkpublic worked collaboratively with type up their notes together, capturing Wigan and Oldham Councils to produce how they felt during the interview, focus of the research. In response to quotes, alongside their reflections on thea research directions framework given by to the define project the the information they were given, and sponsors, Wigan and Oldham Councils, otherthe factors observations that might about have learning influenced or Wigan and Oldham Ethnographers experiences over the day. At the end focused in particular on the experiences of each day the team would meet and and needs of parents with children interviews with parents in a range of 1.share Ethnography their findings. is the term given to the under five. To do this, they arranged settings: ‘community-based services’2 , descriptive study of human cultures and ‘out and about’3 , and ‘at-home’ . societies based on extensive fieldwork. Ethnographic research seeks to understand Over a period of seven days in each4 issues from the subject’s point of view by area, Wigan and Oldham Ethnographers observing how they behave in a given setting applied the skills they had learned to and probing them to find out why they behave researching the experiences and needs as they do. of families with young children living in deprived areas. thinkpublic supervised council researchers to ensure the 2. Locations included Sure Start Centres, quality of the research. ‘Tumble Tots’ sessions at Leisure Centres, and Baby Clinics at Community Centres. The length and depth of interviews varied depending on the setting and 3. These took place at shopping centres, local willingness of participants, from 20 cafes and on streets; targeting families that minutes to three hours. Interviews may not be engaging with services. were conducted in pairs: one interviewer and one note-taker. Each 4. Interviews took place in the homes of pair was encouraged to record the families that had been identified by service information given to them as directly providers as being particularly relevant to the and as immediately as possible. At the project. end of each interview the pairs would INTRO | ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH REPORT | PAGE 6
Analysis and of ethnography is that it is always led by the interactions researchers make Interpretation with their informants rather than
After both research periods were methodological design. As such, this completed, thinkpublic researchers reportbeing pre-determined presents a range through of opinions a fixed facilitated a compilation day. This brought both teams together to set of conclusions. However, in doing so,and it experiences, acknowledges rather the complexitythan a definite of contrasting issues and themes, and to community life. captureshare findings, quotes identifyfrom the common interviews and that illustrated those themes. The method of gathering information in each area varied. More of the We have used the information and interviews in Oldham took place at insights gained from interviews with participant’s homes, organised through parents, together with our wider services, than was the case in Wigan. understanding of the issues affecting families with young children from information captured in this report. deprived areas, to assemble this report. These variations find reflection in the Interviews were conducted using an Important information “open questioning” technique, allowing interviewees to direct the conversation. about the evidence base As a result, not all topics were covered in every interview, but topics discussed of the report can be assumed to be of importance to the interviewee and their family. To provide further context and depth 89 interviews with Oldham and Wigan to the information presented in this parents,The report carers is based and grandparents.on the findings of report, it is advised that it is considered These interviews explored participants’ alongside information gathered through experiences, attitudes and aspirations complementary research techniques, in relation to a broad range of issues, including quantitative research. including: childhood; pregnancy and parenthood; employment; health and wellbeing; housing; kinship; education and learning; and aspirations. The value INTRO | ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH REPORT | PAGE 7
Relationship status: Employment status:
oldham wigan oldham wigan
Father in Neither Living Living with employment partner in Married Father with partner partner employment Married Both partners in in employment employment Single Single mother Single mother mother not in Unrecorded employment Only mother in employment Neither Has partner Has partner but not Unrecorded Unable to work- partner in Unrecorded but not living together Both partners Unrecorded immigration status employment living together in employment Volunteers Ethnicity:
oldham wigan
White Bengali White British
African
KEY:
Chinese African PURPLE - OLDHAM Unrecorded Polish Turkish GREEN - WIGAN Pakistani KINSHIP | ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH REPORT | PAGE 8 | ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH REPORT | PAGE 8
kinship kinship [mass noun]
1 blood relationship. 2 [count noun] a sharing of characteristics or origins.
Source: Oxford University Press KINSHIP | ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH REPORT | PAGE 9 1. Kinship - Wigan findings
Of the 48 participants in Wigan, 45 helped pay for her and her son to go Despite having no family connections had suffered from depression for 14 were White British, one was Polish, one on a trip to Southport: “ [We] would in the area, she described how she years said: “I’ve got two children from was Ghanaian and one was Turkish. have struggled if they [partner’s Sister was quickly made to feel at home: “I a former relationship, two children A large number of participants were and family members] weren’t there”. grew up on army barracks and we all from a current relationship, three either unemployed and reliant on state This close familial support appeared to knew each other, no one locked their children from my partner’s previous contribute to her feeling that she did doors. I think Wigan’s a bit like that. It’s relationship who stay every Friday, labour or factory jobs. Participants not need the support of local Children’s really friendly... We made friends with he [my partner] wonders why I have frombenefits Wigan (19), often or working described in manualvery close Centres: “I’m a Sure Start member but everyone. It’s like that here, people have ‘Schitz’ attacks. I throw him out and connections, both social and familial, to I don’t really use them…I don’t need been really friendly and welcoming”. he goes to live with his Mum, usually others in their area. Many participants them...We’ve got family, my parents he moves out for a week. This happens had been born in the area and had help”. once a year at least”. Despite having lots connections that went back at least “I love Wigan. of family members around, she did not a generation, while others described Familial support was also evident feel supported: “My family is not really moving in and easily forming social ties. in the following mother’s story. I came here for a supportive, we are all there for each Participants often lived near to their This participant was originally from other, if push came to shove but it’s not parents and siblings, and had many Warrington, but had moved to Wigan week to visit and like it used to be... [but] I don’t really friends in the area. Bringing up children I said, want any friends around here, but I was rarely seen as a responsibility told us how her partner’s mother had wouldn’t move anywhere else because that fell solely on the shoulders of the five years ago to join her partner. She ‘I’m not going back, of my children’s’ schools. I was moved parents, but was shared with family with his mum to start with. So that I want to live here.” so many times when I was little I would members and friends in the area. wesupported could save them up at for first: a house”. “I moved The in never move my kids”.
One mother that lived with her son needed regular support with her For many participants from Wigan, Many of the participants from Wigan and partner in a rented home in Leigh children,participant but had said: Spina “His Bifida [my partner’s] so also especially those who had children came from families where relationships described how they lived on the same mum has been really good. Also my in their teens, grandparents were were unstable. Many spoke of having estate as some family members and friends have helped taking him [eldest described as a central part of the family, children from different partners - friends, and that her parents and her child] to school”. She related this to often playing an important role in the partner’s parents also both lived locally. quickly feeling settled in the area: upbringing of children. Mothers were the second in their 30s. A number She described how her friends and “Living in the area is good, as we all get alsothe first spoke often of looking in teenage after years, their and own family were involved in bringing up her on well”. for advice on child rearing. There were children as well as those of their son: “Our friends and family help out… alsooften two mentioned cases in aswhich the firstgrandparents port-of-call partner, some of which no longer had they always give advice…sometimes Another participant who had moved that had taken over the role of primary contact with the other parent. Some they tell you to do things that you to the area from Kent had a similar carer due to the mother not being participants spoke of how these know already!”. Family involvement experience, saying: “I love Wigan. I able to cope, or falling into drugs. complex family arrangements created came here for a week to visit and I said, One grandmother, who looked after stress and anxiety. One mother who she described how her in-laws had ‘I’m not going back, I want to live here’”. her grandchildren two days a week can also stretch to financial support; KINSHIP | ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH REPORT | PAGE 10 1. Kinship - Wigan findings while the parents worked, told us how on the school run there were “more grandparents picking children up than “They told me I could parents”. have a Health Visitor but I said I didn’t at 18 described her close relationship want one. If I need withOne participant her mother: who “I stay had at her my first mum’s child or his dad’s all the time, I chop and change. any help I go to my I’ve got loads of support around me. My family first” family on my side, and on his dad’s side too. His dad’s from around here too...I go to my mum’s every morning. We just go and talk crap together!... Mum Some participants described the lives around the corner. She helps me a lot. I don’t know what I’d do without grandchild for their parents. The her”. For this mother, close familial previousimportance participant of providing described the first her ties seemed to be linked to her feeling that she didn’t need support from services: “I don’t access any services, mother’s reaction to her having her first I don’t know why, I just don’t bother. youchild know at 18: what “My they’re mum’s like-got five she kids was I do my own thing. I go to my mum’s, deadand I happy,give her so her she first spoils grandchild. him rotten”. And A go to my friends…They told me I could 17-year-old couple also described how have a Health Visitor but I said I didn’t they had provided both their parents want one. If I need any help I go to my had not had to buy anything for their of her independence and ability to cope childwith theirapart first from grandchild, the pram because and hence they withoutfamily first”. ‘outsider’ She appeared support. to This be proudis also had received so many gifts. However, this family support did not prevent the she dealt with having a miscarriage: “ I mother from craving more support justreflected dealt inwith her it, comment I didn’t go about to get how help and reassurance than she had got from or anything. I just turned to my family. her Health Visitor: “Of course I need I’m one of those persons, me, I just get her [support]; I’m only 17”. When on with it”. asked what support she wanted, she described wanting reassurance; “is his head right?” INTERVIEW STUDIES | ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH REPORT | PAGE 11
INTERview study 1: wigan the issues raised by a participant Interviewee: Mother, 20 years old interviewedThe following in information the West Leigh reflects Relationship Status: Married Children’s Centre, by a Wigan Council Children: Two children; four years and employee. The interview was recorded 19 months. by a note-taker also from Wigan Ethnicity: White. Originally from Kent. Council. As far as possible the notes Time in Wigan: Around four years. below represent comments directly Employment status: Full time mother. made by the participant in response Partner works as a tatooist. to questions and prompts from the Extended family: She has a large interviewer. family who live in the South coast. Her husband’s family live around Preston. INTERVIEW STUDIES | ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH REPORT | PAGE 12
you an appointment that day but you just collapsed. I couldn’t cope. They friendly. When I was 11 we moved “I love Wigan. I came here for a week don’t get a named Doctor. to visit and I said, ‘I’m not going back, and I was doing everything okay but a maisonette. We made friends with I want to live here’. It’s much cleaner “I had postnatal depression for over theytold measked that me the if childrenI was alright. looked I told fine everyone.to a council It’s flat like into that the here, top floorpeople of have here and I think the people are friendly. eighteen months. When we moved here them that I wasn’t doing well with my been really friendly and welcoming. it was really hard cos we moved away depression. They sent someone to see ““My husband is training to be a from all our friends and family. Then I us. It was really good. We all sat down “The area is alright. There were a family tattooist.“ I’ve got eight and he’s got was all on my own. We had a problem together and made some house rules. on the street who were always drunk nineteen tattoos. with our next door neighbours. I just We said that there would be no punches said to them both, ‘You don’t need to or kicks. He would go mad and take it all got together and got rid of them. “B started school here. They’ve been tell me what to do. I can make up my out on me when his dad wasn’t there. Oneand causingnight my problems husband like went fighting. out when We brilliant. Last week he came home own mind, thank you’. When I was We made up rules and had stickers. So I was pregnant with S. We had our two with a book and he read it all the way really depressed the woman next door through. I couldn’t believe it, I’ve never had a really aggressive staffy dog. She stickers every day. It was awesome. T silent but they were going mad. The two let it out and it nearly attacked S. I ourhe would Link Worker have to wasget threeamazing. out of five ladsstaffies from in acrossthe kitchen. the street Usually were they trying are phoned the police and they had it put to kick in the door. I called the police “Socialheard him Services read. wereHe’s only involved five! with us down. So she decided to phone Social “I didn’t get depression with T [second and when they arrived they were still for a while. I had really bad postnatal Services and told them that my children child]. It was really bad when I had in the back so they arrested them both. depression after having S and with B as were always covered in bruises. B is That’s when we got the Neighbourhood well. They gave me a Link Worker. She breastfeeding. The doctor gave me Watch together. We had to do diaries would phone me up in the morning and moved in he lifted up a paving stone anti-depressantsB [first child]. I was and 16 said and that I was I had to and stuff and they got evicted. There get me out. She’d even drag me out if andan accident broke his prone foot child.and he When was alwayswe first stop breastfeeding. I was well chuffed I are four families who all know each she had to. That was what really helped. falling over. He’s had loads of accidents. didn’t get it with T. other. We would always back each They were brilliant. K, the Link Worker I’m trying to get him tested for ADHD other with the police. It went to court signed me off as a case a year ago but at school. He’s got serious behavioural “I go down and see my mum loads in and they got restraining orders. They she’s always there for me. If I ever want issues. If he gets angry he bangs his Southampton. Every couple of weeks haven’t been back since. I would always anything, I can ask her anything. my step-dad drives up and gets us. He phone the police if I had a problem. argued it with me. They say that he’s comes up, has some food, has a fag and “The doctors at Sherwood Drive are differenthead on the with floor. them. The It schoolwas the have same then drives us back. “If there was anything which could alright. Well most of them are alright. I with my brother. My mum had to argue improve in the area I think the council don’t like Dr S, she’s a right cow. Every “I sit out with my neighbours. If it’s should get a welcome pack for families time I went in with the children they ended up climbing over the fence. They nice weather we just all go out the who move to the area. When you would just tell me that they are OK. sawwith what his school. he was One like day then he and had knew a fit and front together until 11 at night. I grew Dr O was brilliant. I only go to see him what my mum was saying. up on army barracks and we all knew anything. It would be really now. The thing is, if you ring in the each other, no one locked their doors. I helpful,first come, especially you don’t stuff know with morning for a Doctor they have to give “When Social Services came round I think Wigan’s a bit like that. It’s really Children’s Services”. ”” KINSHIP | ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH REPORT | PAGE 13 1. Kinship - OLDHAM findings
Kinship patterns amongst participants moving to the area to join a partner, but network as her Aunty, her brother who want to move to Chadderton, I want from Oldham varied greatly due to the feeling more connected to the area their lived with her, and “a friend around my family around so they can help me wide range of different ethnicities in family was from. One White British the corner... The rest of my family pick him up from school when I go back the borough. Of the 41 participants, father who had moved to Oldham to be are in Rochdale”. She described her to work...He sleeps at my parents once 19 were white British, ten were of with his girlfriend said “I don’t really neighbours as being “friendly when a week”. She described getting some Bangladeshi origin, six were of African like the area. I prefer Middleton where you get to know them”, but that her comfort from mutual support with her origin, one was Chinese, two were of I’m from. I had a lot more mates there… social circle was limited by a feeling of immediate neighbours: “I speak to all Pakistani origin, and three were not it’s boring, there’s not really anything to unease in the neighbourhood: “It’s full my neighbours, I got stuff from the recorded. do in St. Mary’s... I tend to keep myself of troublemakers…if they weren’t there shops for them when it snowed and to myself”. His partner added that they it would be great”. they give him [her son] birthday cards”. Most participants, excluding those from did not get on with their neighbours: However, she also said that “everyone Another White British couple spoke of else on my street is a pensioner” and themselves as having small family people”. their shrinking social network in the that beyond her street she didn’t feel andthe Bangladeshi social networks community, in the immediate identified “People who live in the flats are not nice area: “We used to have family around, much of a connection to the area where area. They expressed a general distrust [but now] my grandma has moved she lived. of people in their neighbourhoods. “I don’t really like to Blackpool...Other family members People often spoke of having strong have moved away, or gone to prison”. family ties with people outside the the area. I prefer This loss of social ties was coupled “When we first immediate area, with ties extending to with a perception on their part that, other boroughs, cities, or in some cases, Middleton where as white people, they were becoming moved there was lots countries. I’m from. I had a lot the “minority” in the area: “When we of white families, Amongst White British participants, more mates there… now they are filling seven were married, four were with it’s boring, there’s Asianfirst moved families... there they was won’t lots of talk white to us, it up with Asian a partner but not living together, and we’vefamilies, tried. now They they want are filling to make it up it likewith eight were single parents. Participants not really anything Westwood... We used to have street families... they won’t in general did not easily open up about to do in St. Mary’s... I parties where everybody joins in, but talk to us, we’ve the details of their relationships. A now nobody joins in”. number of participants had children tend to keep myself tried.” from more than one relationship. to myself”. Another White British single mother Extended families rarely lived in the told of how she lived alone in St Mary’s immediate area. Instead, they often with her son while the rest of her family Some White British participants lived in surrounding areas such as lived in Chadderton: “I don’t really One White British single mother with who were heavily dependent on Rochdale, or further away in places know what made me choose it [Oldham, state services for support expressed such as Manchester and Blackpool. A to live in]... I live on my own you see, feelings of being isolated in their number of participants spoke about Estate, described her local social it’s hard [without my family] close by. I five children living on the St Mary’s KINSHIP | ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH REPORT | PAGE 14 1. Kinship - OLDHAM findings neighbourhoods and having few [immigrants] than piss-heads, alcies helps with childcare. The oldest son around here and the atmosphere...I familial or social ties nearby. One such and druggies”. However, they did still also helps with nappies and feeding want to feel safe in my area, I want participant was a single mother who want to move out of the area: “ I’d like them as well. My next door neighbour people to be friendly and if they can’t be grew up in care and had moved to the to live in Royton – because that’s near sometimes helps out as well, or did good to you, then leave you alone...My area to get away from a violent ex- to my work”. when the children were younger. She’s husband’s family are all in Oldham but partner. She said: “ I would like to move been living next door for years, so we’ve mine are not here at all. It’s a ten-bed in the future because I don’t like the got to know her”. His wife had been house but we want our own space, the area, there’s some awful people here “I would like to move in the country for a shorter period of kids don’t always get on. Although I and nothing to do. I want to move to time than he had. She couldn’t speak live with them [her in-laws] I don’t see Chadderton because that is where my in the future because much English and described feeling less them that much”. Nan lives and it is where I grew up, it’s supported: “I want to leave Oldham and a nice little quiet street, and lots of the I don’t like the area, go to another town, to a better area, people we knew as kids are still there, it there’s some awful but I can’t ‘cos all my husband’s family feels like home. Here all the people here are here. I want to go to Oxford or people here and Cambridge [the participant had family there are only two people [neighbours] nothing to do.” in Oxford]. The atmosphere there is “I feel like there is Iare like”. fighting, The only or alcoholics person she or described pot heads... so different. I want them to go there as giving her reliable support over the and have a better quality of life, better more racism here years was her Sure Start health worker. education and facilities”. than anywhere She said she was now struggling as this Bangladeshi participants often had support had been withdrawn: “there is close networks of family and friends of One Pakistani female participant from else, it’s the people no one I can trust and talk to now and I the same ethnic group within the local Glodwick spoke of not feeling settled around here and the had a close relationship with her. Now I area, as well as a network that extended in the area, even though her husband’s don’t tell nobody my problems”. across the country and around the family lived in the area. She said this atmosphere...I want world. All ten of the Bangladeshi was partly due to her own family being to feel safe in my Other participants described participants were married and many ‘back home’ and partly due to tensions themselves as having a limited social spoke of having extended family near in the neighbourhood. She lived with area...” network, despite having a large by. her husband and his extended family extended family nearby. For example, a in a ten-bedroom house in Glodwick. White British couple that researchers “I moved here six years ago as I got met at a Tumble Tot session said married. My husband is from here. I “our neighbours are all immigrants, thisOne area.first generationMy brother Bangladeshi lives two streets father Some Bangladeshi mothers we spoke Chechnya, Polish, African, – I don’t mind of five told us: “I have lots of relatives in came from the Midlands, just before we to who described having longer term it, they’re quiet and they do go out to with her three sons and one daughter. gotdon’t married find people there here were very the friendly.big riots Iin connections to the area seemed to feel work – there used to be more drugs Weaway; visit my each sister other’s lives fivehouses streets all the away time Oldham, I feel like there is more racism a lot more supported and settled in but live separately... My sister-in-law here than anywhere else, it’s the people and fighting – I’d rather have them Oldham. They often positively identified KINSHIP | ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH REPORT | PAGE 15 1. Kinship - OLDHAM findings having their own family around them, Some Bangladeshi and Pakistani in the UK for 11 years, told us that she A participant from Guinea described as well as that of their husband, as a participants described the mosque as didn’t attend the mosque herself, but how his only connections in the area positive feature of their lives. a key place for socialising and seeking her children attended every day after were with his wife and three children support and activities for their children. school. and that he had “few friends”. He moved For some Bangladeshi participants, A Pakistani mother who had moved to to the UK because of “the situation” child rearing was a shared task with Some participants had moved to in his country. He was working full- wider family members, especially at the age of 20 told us how she did Oldham from different countries time as a security guard and studying grandmothers, being closely involved in notthe UKhave with many her friends husband or andfamily first in childthe for work or study purposes. These accountancy at Manchester College. the upbringing of their grandchildren. area but did attend her local mosque participants often had few family or He spoke of how he missed the “sense One participant, who had moved to where she has slowly made friends social ties in the area and referred of community” back in his home Oldham with her family as a baby was with people from the Bangladeshi to Oldham as a temporary place of country, saying that in Oldham nobody now living in the same house as her community. Through these connections residence to serve a particular purpose. cares: “nobody’s talking to each other. mother, husband, young daughter, and she has been able to access informal Again, they often referred to their People judge each other”. As a result he brother. She described how her mother support for childcare. main family and social ties belonging distances himself from the community: “helps me with everything”, from elsewhere. One Nigerian mother spoke “We live as a different family”. He changing nappies, and making milk to of having moved to Oldham for her spoke of the UK as a place to come and husband’s work, but now his work had “better yourself” through education and costs. come to an end so they were planning employment, rather than somewhere contributing financially to household “Nobody’s talking to move to London. She described her he felt connected to through familial Another second generation Bangladeshi family as consisting of herself, her and social ties. He suggested that in participant spoke of constantly being to each other. husband, her children, an uncle and order to improve relationships in the surrounded by her family and friends. People judge sister in London and her mother back area “They need to create spaces so that She lived with her in-laws and extended in Nigeria. She said she regularly speaks people can be involved with families’ family members in “two houses joined each other” to them on the phone but only regularly problems. It’s hard to meet people together as one”. Her mother lived sees her husband. She described herself here. Everybody keeps themselves to nearby in Coldhurst. She also had as having no friends in area: “all the themselves. It’s a misunderstanding. I friends in the area who had children other mothers I meet I don’t become don’t blame them. They don’t know me. of the same age and often attended friends with. We just say “Hi- hi” to each They probably think the same about the local children’s centre. She seemed The mosque was mentioned by some other and that’s it. It’s hard to make me”. very settled and didn’t speak of having participants principally in relation friends in this country. People don’t any desires to move away. Instead, she to their children’s lives and routines have time to ask you to their houses. spoke of her ambitions to return to rather than their own. One Bangladeshi The best thing is to keep it at a level working as a teaching assistant. mother told us “The kids go to mosque of “Hi!”. They are all from different six days a week, and do Bangla and countries. But it’s OK, I speak to my Arabic classes there in their spare time”. friends on the phone, and I have my Another Bangladeshi mother had been husband”. KINSHIP | ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH REPORT | PAGE 16 1. Kinship - OLDHAM findings
One Chinese mother described her One participant was a mother who to know some people here, but the social connections in Oldham as her had originally moved to the UK from rest of our family are in London. I see husband, child, and two or three Sudan. She had moved to Oldham after them every so often”. He was unable friends. Her main connection to Oldham divorcing her husband. She chose to to work due to his legal status, and came through her husband’s work in a move to Oldham because her brother had not found any courses he could local takeaway and her daughter’s use lived there and she could get work do as he was too advanced for those of local services. She said: “I have two that made use of her professional on offer at the library. He described or three close friends. Most of them how he was hoping that the church I met through my husband’s work”. brother had left Oldham. She had also would become his main source of She said that she would be prepared fallenqualification. into a severe Since depressionthen, however, and, her as support and company: “I go to church to move if her child’s needs were not a consequence, had given up her job. down the road. I’ve made a few friends being met by local services: “As long She described how she didn’t have there. The church I was going to was as my child has a good environment to any friends at all in the area and relied in Warrington, but it’s a strain to go up live in and a good school to go to [I am solely on support from services, mainly and down- so we’ve started going to happy staying here]...At the minute I a social work and outreach worker from the local church. I hope to make more don’t know if Oldham are providing that the Children’s Centre. She said the main friends in the area at the church, but so because she’s too young for us to start reason for her sense of isolation was far I haven’t got too many”. looking at schools”. that her depression prevented her from going out and seeking company. One participant who had been awaiting One participant, originally from a decision on immigration status Uganda, had moved to Oldham from Two participants had moved to Oldham for two years and three months told Manchester to study Health and as asylum seekers and were placed researchers how local services had Community Studies at Oldham College. in the town while awaiting their enabled her to form a new friendship She described how neither herself nor immigration status. A Zimbabwean group in the local area. She described her children had friends or family in the father of two told researchers: “I’ve how she had made good friends area yet. Her main social ties were with been in the country for 10 years. First through Play and Stay groups, and they a group of friends from Uganda who all we were in London, then we moved to now “shared children”. She said of her get together once a year in Manchester. Manchester, close to the town centre long-term plans: “I will probably stay She said about her children: “I don’t in April, then in August we moved here [once she gets immigration status] trust my kids with anyone, if I let my to Oldham. Before that we were in but I need to get to know where the kids play with anyone [I don’t know if] Zimbabwe… we are seeking asylum nicer places are, as I have made friends they are good or bad”. It appeared that here”. When asked about his social and here, nice good people”. she felt her main connection to the area familial network in the area he said: was through her studies and that her “socially, I’m used to being around kinship ties lay elsewhere. more people and friends. We’re a bit isolated. It’s OK…it’s liveable... I’ve got INTERVIEW STUDIES | ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH REPORT | PAGE 17
INTERview study 2: oldham
Interviewee: Father, 31 years old the issues raised by participants Relationship Status: Married. interviewedThe following in information their home byreflects an Children: Two children of four and Oldham Council employee. The interview was organised with the years. local Sure Start Centre, and conducted Ethnicity:five months Black and African.one stepson Moved aged to five with the assistance of a Bangladeshi UK from Guinea in 2004: “It was the translator, provided by Sure Start. The situation in my country”. interview was recorded by a note-taker Time in Oldham: three to four years. from thinkpublic. As far as possible Employment status: Father works full the notes below represent comments time as a security guard. Mother works directly made by the participants, and part time. translated by the translator, in response to questions and prompts from the interviewer. INTERVIEW STUDIES | ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH REPORT | PAGE 18
“Everything in this area is not good… but I went straight home and the next here. Everybody keeps themselves to “We don’t have any stress in West I’m not talking about racial activity, day someone called to tell me that the themselves. It’s a misunderstanding. I Africa. Everybody knows each other; it’s the crime. You see for the average police were investigating and that the don’t blame them; they don’t know me. it’s one big family. Here even your person it’s okay but for my children it’s man was dead. It’s not safe. It makes They probably think the same about neighbours don’t care about you. People not okay, there are too many questions me feel bad because it could have been me”. are not welcoming. I thought it was from them…What’s this, what’s that?”. me or it could have been my children. I because I am Black but now I accept “ want to move again”. “At Easter or Christmas we need it’s the way that they live…I just wish “When“ I moved here the house was activities that get people together. it was a cosmopolitan town …We need really dirty and there was damp. I Maybe sports or basketball. There’s information and communication. You sorted it out myself…It’s not good, it the area and environment. The children nothing here”. need to mix people… A new Oldham, a takes a long time for them [First Choice need“The firstto be condition educated. of They your are children listening is new society”. Homes] to come and help you. It takes a and picking up on things all the time. I “Sometimes I go to the Citizens’ Advice lot, you know”. cannot tell them not to go out”. Bureau. I ask them about many things “No amount of new services will help like the law, what’s going on, and people to see each other differently”. “When I wanted to change my “We live as a different family…nobody sometimes they may make calls for childrens’ school they [the Children’s is above the law, but it’s the people, the you. When you go they can give you a Centre] helped me and they were really mentality. They behave badly. The best lot more information. For example, our good for information”. thing is education... It’s different models tax was high compared to a lot of other of life to us, it depends… the way I do people. We wanted to know why and “I’m a student as well, studying things is very different to the way you how…Then they [CAB] helped us and accountancy at Manchester College. I do things. Outside, you people on the pointed us towards the Council and just want to go far…As soon as I have street, when you see someone [a white then the Job Centre”. person] on the phone you think they are happy and friendly. When you see “We need money for toys and food. “Myfinished wife I wants want toto getdo Englisha job”. [on Black people on the phone you think They [the children] want McDonalds an ESOL course] and she wants to something else…White and Black have every day. In the mornings I do do ticketing in a travel agents…You become good and bad”. some work and then I take them out. ” have to pay for the courses…we try to Sometimes we go to Piccadilly, or ” manage our time so we can do things at “People haven’t got jobs. It can make Oldham or Ashton. They like to go all different times”. you do [bad] things. The best thing is over”. education…It’s trying to know them… “It’s rough [the area]…One day I there needs to be an open dialogue”. “[Being a dad]…it’s completely natural but it’s a big responsibility, you have to or six O’clock and I parked the car “They need to create spaces so that like everything. If you educate children andwas walkedcoming tohome my house.from work I could at fivesee people can be involved with families’ you give them a good future. They need problems. It’s hard to meet people the right things”.
somebody was on the floor in the park PARENTHOOD | ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH REPORT | PAGE 19 | ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH REPORT | PAGE 19
PARENTHOOD parent [mass noun] the state of being a parent and the responsibilities involved.
Source: Oxford University Press PARENTHOOD | ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH REPORT | PAGE 20 2. Parenthood: Wigan findings
Amongst participants in Wigan, with it were wide ranging, the common then went on to have more with a parenthood was perceived to be a theme being some degree of isolation different partner ten or more years normal part of everyday life that began “I’m a lot more or a lack of family support. later. Two of these parents spoke of in their late teens. One participant told relaxed than I was Some of the participants spoke about round. One 30 year old mother who had at 16, and her second child was on their children having behavioural abeing 14 year more old confident and 13 year the secondold from time her theus her way first two child years had later. been Another planned last time. If my girls problems. In these cases parents often participant who was originally from had a nose bleed I’d appreciated extra support from schools, from her second partner said: “I’m a Glasgow, but had happily settled in link workers, or Youth Offending Teams lotfirst more partner, relaxed and thannow Ia was two last year time. old If Wigan as a young teenager told us: “I panic and take them (YOTs). Those parents whose children my girls had a nose bleed I’d panic and to hospital, were not receiving this extra support take them to hospital, but I wouldn’t all my friends had babies already by felt angry and let down by the council. do that now”. Another mother told us then,was 17 but when I lost I gotit. So pregnant after that first, I was and but I wouldn’t do One single mother who suffered from that as an older mum she was now good, I waited…” She became pregnant that now” anxiety also told us “we’ve got a lot more open to accepting support from again at 18. of help from the school [for my son’s services: “I didn’t really attend groups ADHD]… school give me all the help I For many, the realities of parenthood could have...He’d done 5 hours CS with was younger”. She now volunteers at came as a shock. One participant told us One parent complained to us about the YOT... I’ve given them permission to thewith Rainbow my first. group, I was tooand cool is no when longer I “I didn’t think it [being a mum] would other parents in the community not go into the school to see him…He’s been dependent on her mother’s support. be hard as it is... It’s really hard when changing their lifestyle to become good, he’s been alright, he’s just easily you have a baby. You have to change positive role models for their children: led by others”. Some mothers we spoke to felt everything. Like when I had ‘M’ I really “I don’t drink around the kids. We have that fathers had more removed liked going out, I can’t do any of that kids parties with no drink… with some The most extreme case of behavioural relationships with their children. now. I felt really young when I had her. families [when their children have issues had resulted in one mother Fathers’ involvement ranged from I was 21 and lots of my friends had birthday parties] it’s about how many having her child taken away from her focusing on supporting the family children when they were 17 so it’s crates of beer they can get hold of. They by Social Services. She attributed this not young. I think it’s just the age you start drinking at 11am [to celebrate to her failure to lay down boundaries being involved at all with childcare or feel...I don’t want any more children”. the child’s birthday]”. She thought that as a mother, as a result of having an financially with full-time work, to not Another single mother who suffered this sort of behaviour resulted in the proudly of keeping good relationships children having problems themselves. relationship with her parents. Through withfinancial their support. ex-partners Some “for mothers the sake spoke of ex-partner and debt on her old house parentingabusive ex-partner, courses she and was a very taking difficult she the girls”, whilst others said they did toldfrom us anxiety of her aftertwo yearfleeing old an “I abusivecan’t leave Seven of the 48 participants described had “realised I hadn’t been a parent to not have anything to do with them her with anybody… she smashes all suffering from postnatal depression. him… I slipped up… I treated him as a any more. One mother we spoke to, the ornaments… I wouldn’t have had Most discussed it freely. It was not seen friend, not a parent”. despite still being with the father of another one if I knew she was going to as a taboo subject or something to be her children, complained openly about be like this”. ashamed of. The issues they associated with one partner as a teenager, and his lack of contribution to the family: Several women had their first child PARENTHOOD | ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH REPORT | PAGE 21 2. Parenthood: Wigan findings
“A typical day for me would be: get up any money”. Another young father the kids up, breakfast, get the kids to told us about his excitement about school... back from school, clean up, having a child, even though he wasn’t well I say clean up but the house is a with the mother any more, showing off shit-hole at the minute because I’m so the tattoo of his daughter’s name on tired, take the dog for a walk, kids home his arm to prove it: “If I hadn’t had my from school, tea, kids go to bed and daughter I think I’d be doing a couple of partner doesn’t help at all... once I’ve years [in prison] now”. saved up enough money he’s gone and he isn’t coming back... His typical day: One father, who had given up work to 11pm he drinks, then he goes on the computer, he goes to bed at some point, custody of her daughter, told us that the usually wakes up at 1pm and goes to serviceshelp his partnerweren’t fightthere a to court support case him:to get his Mum’s to see if she needs anything “The sessions are in the day so they doing and that’s pretty much it”. don’t cater for working families. They need to have things out of core hours. When I was working I couldn’t go... I “If I hadn’t had my like being a father but it feels as though everything is catered for women. If daughter I think I’d they did run sessions for men they’d have to be at a different time, ‘cos I be doing a couple couldn’t come. Like there’s only places of years [in prison] for women to change children. There should be somewhere for me. I’ve been now”. asked to leave somewhere ‘cos I was feeding him “.
Researchers did also meet fathers who took pride in their parental responsibilities and were more directly involved in bringing up their children, despite often complex family situations. One father told us “He’s not mine demandsofficially. Butto see he himcalls but me he ‘dad’, won’t I’m put with him five days a week. His other dad PARENTHOOD | ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH REPORT | PAGE 22 2. Parenthood: OLDHAM findings
Of the 42 participants, 24 were married, children to grow up with more options further struggles caused by having have to pay for the courses…we try to available to them. Many mothers spoke to juggle work and childcare. Despite manage our time so we can do things at living with a partner, two were with a having a “large family around” they said different times”. The participant’s initial partnernine were but single were parents, not living five together, were the isolation of parenthood. most of them “have their own kids so response when asked about parenthood and two had relationship statuses that of the difficulties of giving up work, and [we] sometimes struggle with baby- was: “It’s completely natural, but it’s a were not recorded. Nineteen were The case of a couple, interviewed in the sitting when my mum’s not well”. Such responsibility”. This father described White British, ten Bengali, six African, Tumble Tots session at Oldham Sport’s anxieties appeared to be compounded how offering their children a better one Chinese, two Pakistani, and two Centre, illustrates the combination of by concerns that they would not get future was a key motivation of his: “If were not recorded. enjoyment and anxiety over parenthood their daughter into a school of her you educate children, you give them a that many parents described. They choice, and the fact that they were good future. He was concerned about were at the centre with their three year having problems with their housing. the kind of education they would be old daughter who had hearing problems getting from their neighbourhood: “The “the best thing and another family member who was also there with her child. It was the area and environment. The children about being a parent one day of the week that both parents “there’s no youth needfirst condition to be educated. of your They children are listening is the is that it’s fun… got to spend time with each other and centre for teenagers, and picking up on things all the time. their daughter; the mother works in I cannot tell them not to go out”. He but it is scary at a care home doing evening shifts, and they’ve shut all described how the children put a big the same time” the father works in a foundry full-time, that down – there’s but has Fridays off. When asked about they “need money for toys and food- parenthood their initial response was nothing for them to theypressure want on McDonalds their finances every because day... to be “the best thing about being a parent is do...”. that it’s fun… but it is scary at the same cook everyday. Its hard to get money Experiences of parenthood in Oldham time”. They spoke about wanting to andhonest easy it’s to really spend difficult, it”. you have to varied greatly but there were also protect their daughter from the “bad areas of common ground. When Another father who had moved with his Nine of the participants were single asked about parenthood, most the drugs and that – it’s terrible”. They wife from Guinea described a similar mothers. Of these, seven were White participants responded that they got a complainedinfluences” in about the area: problems “ because in the of all picture of parenthood being both a British, one was from Sudan, and one lot of enjoyment out of watching their area being caused by a lack of “things great pleasure and a source of anxiety. was an asylum seeker (researchers did children grow up. Parents also shared a to do” for teenagers: “there’s no youth great deal of anxiety for their children. centre for teenagers, they’ve shut all from). A number of these mothers Participants spoke of wanting to protect that down – there’s nothing for them worksThe couple full-time had threeas a security children; guard five, not find out which country she was to do...”. They also described a lack of andfour studiesand five accountancy months old. inThe his father spare lack of childcare support; for some this in their area and of being concerned activities available for them as a family: time. The mother works part-time, and preventedspoke of the them difficulties going back caused to work, by a for thattheir there children was from not enough bad influences for them in “there’s nothing much for kids apart “wants to do English ESOL, she wants others this meant they struggled with Oldham. Parents were keen for their from this place”. There described to do ticketing in a travel agents…You keeping on top of daily routines. Many PARENTHOOD | ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH REPORT | PAGE 23 2. Parenthood: OLDHAM findings described local services as essential around the changeable hours: “I’m then at 18 I got a job, I got a house. for ensuring they received necessary willing to go into full time work, but Then I had a baby... I wanted my kids support and socialising. it’s hard to know how to solve it... I “It’s good, I like to be totally different, I wanted to put it, it’s nice to have things right for my kids, so I worked One White British single mother, when hard to sort myself out”. asked about parenthood replied: “It’s can’t find nine to five work as a doctor. someone to look good, I like it, it’s nice to have someone IDuring just don’t the wantday childcare my experience is fine, tobut after. We spend She also described the struggles of to look after. We spend loads of time goduring to waste the night ”. She it’s described more difficult... having trying to juggle everything to take care doing homework and stuff. I was never low-feelings of self-worth partly as a loads of time doing of six children on her own: “Being a allowed paints when I was younger. I result of this situation, and this was homework and stuff. parent is hard, stressful, especially want him to have everything I never compounded by her isolation in the when you don’t have support. It’s hard had”. However, she also described many area; her husband had left her and I was never allowed keeping on top of things and their her brother had also moved away. routine, getting kids to different places”. make to make it work: “I live on my own She described how depression was paints when I was Her worries about parenthood seemed youdifficulties see, it’s and hard sacrifices [without she my had family] to preventing her from making friends younger. I want him to be compounded by her perception close by. I want to move to Chadderton, in the area, hence she relied on I want my family around so they can services for support: “I haven’t got a to have everything I “there’s nothing for the kids to do. I do help me pick him up from school when I lot of friends around, but I get some never had.” whatof the I area, can, putas well a paddling as financial pool worries:in the go back to work”. Work and childcare as help from services. I get support back, but they get bored. I do try to take a single parent was raised as a concern: from Beever Centre, I’ve got a Health them out but it costs money. I manage “I went back to work when he was 4 Visitor for my son, and a Psychiatrist with money but there is not enough to months but the childcare fees have gone Social Worker from Peaches- that’s Another White British single mother of do what I would like to do...All the kids up so much it wasn’t worth working...I adult mental health”. This mother six said of parenthood: “watching them didn’t want to quit work, I love work described the anxieties she had about grow and learn, its dead rewarding. you bother. It gets me down. Maybe if but it left me with about £40 a month”. not being able to provide what her son Everything they do is down to you. theyaround built here a park are fightingor something, and causing stuff for As a result, she was out of work and needed. She felt that being unable to They are the only thing I have done that them to do, taking them places”. This communicate with her son during her is right. I’ve made these perfect kids”. participant suffered from postnatal to her own home: “I’m sitting at home low periods had resulted in him having This mother grew up in care herself, depression, which she said was making doingdescribed nothing, herself it’s as boring”. being confined a speech delay: “I just want him to her concerned about her ability grow up normal”. She felt these worries to provide for her children: “I was A single mother described how contributed further to her depression. homeand described to get away a difficult from a historyviolent thatex- diagnosed with postnatal depression being unable to return to work had partner.involved She having spoke to fleeof becoming her previous a parent yesterday. I just feel awful, I don’t feel contributed to her ongoing depression. able to be fun for my kids and they need point in her life: “I have grown up in to be able to have fun”. to give up her job as she was unable afor totally the first different time as way a positive than I thought changing She was a qualified doctor, but had I would. I used to be into robbing, but to find childcare arrangements to fit PARENTHOOD | ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH REPORT | PAGE 24 2. Parenthood: OLDHAM findings
As described in the Kinship section, for many of the Bangladeshi participants parenthood was a task shared with many local family members. For most, the father was working, whilst the mother was a full-time mum, with help from wider family members.
Having a disabled child was described as isolating parents further. Some mothers of disabled children spoke accommodate their children and giveof struggling them respite to find and services support. to One Bangladeshi mother whose daughter had an undiagnosed disability told us about how she could not attend play groups with her daughter as she was constantly having to take her to different appointments: “it would have been good if she could have carried on going to something like Play and Stay at St Hilda’s. Most of the time I couldn’t take her because she’s been ill- but I from interacting more with other kids”. think she really could have benefitted RELATIONSHIPS WITH SERVICES | ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH REPORT | PAGE 25 | ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH REPORT | PAGE 25
Relationship with Services service
1 [mass noun] the action of helping or doing work for someone: millions are involved in voluntary service.
Source: Oxford University Press RELATIONSHIPS WITH SERVICES | ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH REPORT | PAGE 26 3. Relationship with Services: Wigan findings
Children’s Centres Other participants felt that the experience: “I’ve never felt ostracised “There’s a session called Messy Tots children’s centre had really helped but it’s only since my daughter [that does painting with children]...I Nineteen of the participants recounted started pre-school that I’ve gone to can do painting at home‐ so what’s the positive experiences of Children’s struggling with postnatal depression: “I the children’s centre. I had post natal point? I don’t want them to teach him Centres. Some reported building up them at difficult times such as to be messy or draw all over the walls”. social networks through the Centres: I felt isolated before, I had postnatal to go when I had A. When I walked in And another mum said: “He don’t need “I use the Sure Start Centre most days depression.go along to Westfield It’s good forChildren’s him to mixCentre. Idepression felt like all and the foundgirls knew it really each difficult other no classes anyway, he’s already too and have made some lovely friends who with other children…”. The same parent like they were a clique. My husband clever for his age”. One mother who look out for each other. All the mums felt that Children’s Centres did a good said ‘why don’t you give it another go’. had recently separated from a violent know each other… There’s lots of new job of reaching out to parents: “The So I plucked up the courage, but it does ex‐partner, was concerned about sessions and groups and the staff are good thing with Sure Start is that they put you off. When I went back it was all controlling her two year old daughter’s always open to ideas… The staff offer go door to door inviting new mums new staff they’re all really good. If they behaviour and told us: “I’d rather just a great network of support”. Another - you can’t force people to go, but it’s don’t know the answer to a question have her [two year old] with me until unemployed participant said “I use the good they do that as a start”. she has to go to school”. Sure Start centre every day. I come for a chat and a cup of tea. It’s really good. Some participants told us they initially Wherethey’ll findparticipants out for you”. said they did not Some of these parents expressed I’ve got no job so I can do it J [her son] access groups or services for parents, feelings of anxiety about accessing loves it here”. had ultimately done them a “world besides schools and health services, services and concern they would be offound good... it difficult .It was ato place attend to butget thingsthat it there were a number of reasons given. excluded by the other members of The support on offer from staff and off your chest”. Another young single Some felt they did not need such groups, and had heard that certain other parents was mentioned a number mother who had suffered postnatal services. They felt they had enough groups were “cliquey” or “snobby”. One of times. “People at the children’s centre depression had “turned her life around” support from friends and family as it 25 year old mother of four said: “I’ve are always there for you. They’ll even by plucking up the courage to visit a was. One mother who had a large family just joined Sure Start... but I don’t go... check you are alright.” One mother, in the immediate area said: “I don’t I don’t feel welcome there. They’re just who accessed the centre more with her access any services, I don’t know why, stuck up and not welcoming. They just second child, said “The Health Visitor threeplay group: years on“When I feel I better.first came The to group the I just don’t bother. I do my own thing. I sing with the kids”. wasgroup really I had welcoming butterflies. and It’s other only nowmums go to my mum’s, go to my friends... Mum and I got involved with Sure Start and were nice...I’m glad I came to these lives around the corner. She helps me Comments from some participants wefor myorganised second day child trips, gave like me to leaflets Gullivers groups because it’s helped my son’s a lot. I don’t know what I’d do without suggested services were not World. They were really good. The development, and I’ve met new friends. her”. communicating what they had on centre gave me loads of information”. Once you start going to one activity offer in a way that was appealing to Another parent commented on where you found out more information about Another reason seemed to be that them. One young mother who was she gets support: “If I need advice, I go what’s going on... before I knew about for some participants, socialising the interviewed outside the Worsely Hall to J[friend]. Or I go to the centre staff all the activities I just went to the baby at an early age and meeting new shops with a friend of hers told us: “I here. They’ve been really good”. park and to the shops [on my own]”. mothers themselves was not a priority. Another participant had a similar One young single mother told us, [about activities at the Meadows] but it get the odd leaflet through the door RELATIONSHIPS WITH SERVICES | ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH REPORT | PAGE 27 3. Relationship with Services: Wigan findings doesn’t explain what they are and I’m group for mothers and babies at the phones all the time‐ they were all one Sometimes when he’s drunk he don’t not going if they’re not telling me what centre which many local parents didn’t big group and I wasn’t happy... This think of the consequences, but I do”. its about...It’s just not appealing to me”. appear to know about. playgroup do more with the children Her perception was that the services in Another mother who had suffered the local area would not cater for her It appeared that the Meadow Centre here I though “Oh my god!” but I saw serious domestic violence told son, who required high‐energy outdoor itself was not communicating the someonethan the other I knew one. and When it made I first it easier”. came researchers about her son who at activities: “My son is all outdoors, he’d services it offered. When researchers a young age became very violent, like football, karate, kick boxing things initially attended the centre they found knocked his younger sister’s teeth like that. He does football training a locked door and signs saying: “Don’t “I’ve told them that out, and tried to spike her food with but there’s no teams around here... knock on the door” and “Don’t drop paracetamol. This resulted in him being there’s nothing for him”. She felt that litter”. There was no information about services let you taken away from her by Social Services. his behaviour had “gone downhill” services at the centre. A support worker Since then, she described how she was as a result: “He’s being assessed for at the Meadows Centre told researchers down. It’s happened doing everything she could to turn ADHD every 6 months – it’s a 12 month that perceptions of services in the so many times, you her life around, but felt Social Services course. He won’t sit down and he’s were unsympathetic: “It’s like they can got no concentration. I put it down to and despite many efforts to reach out just expect it”. dictate to me but they never do what being bored... he needs something to tocommunity people who were weren’t very hardengaging to influence, in they say they will do. They can make put his energy into. Community centres services “no matter what we do, they me go to meetings and tell me what I’ve concentrate on teenagers or young ones won’t come in... it’s that old fashioned done wrong but they never do what but nothing in‐between”. fear of Social Services”. She described they say. I don’t even know who his how for many parents in the area, Social Services Social Worker is. I had a Social Worker Perceptions of the Meadows Children’s Centres were viewed with who helped me with all the children, Community Centre were particularly the same negativity as Social Services, Although most participants did not but she’s disappeared”. negative. A number of participants and that accepting help from any of mention Social Services, the described it as being exclusively for these “council” services was looked perceptions and experiences of Social However, one mother told us how she “naughty teenagers” and so they would upon as an admission of failure as a Services amongst those that did were felt that Social Services intervening had not consider going there with their parent. However, it must be noted that often negative. Mothers experiencing been the turning point to get her out of young child: “The Meadow is for 11 – these views were not generally borne postnatal depression sometimes postnatal depression: “They gave me 19 year olds ... I wouldn’t send my kids out by the views of parents spoken to. spoke of hiding their symptoms from a link worker. She would phone me up to there anyway because of the type of Health Visitors as they thought social in the morning and get me out. She’d kids that go there... My son’s got morals One mother warned us that not all services would intervene. One mother even drag me out if she had to. That was and I want him to grow up properly. services were for everyone: “I used experiencing domestic violence talked what really helped. They were brilliant. They get rewarded for bad behaviour; to go to Newton West Park in West about not reporting it to the police Kerry, the Link Worker signed me off as they get presents and days out. I think Leigh‐ but I wasn’t happy. You need for the same reason: “He still tries it… a case a year ago but she’s always there that’s wrong”. However, researchers but I don’t call the police no more. I for me. If I ever want anything, I can ask found that there was a well-attended the mums were on Facebook on their don’t want Social Services involved. her anything... We all sat down together to find your place. In the old place all RELATIONSHIPS WITH SERVICES | ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH REPORT | PAGE 28 3. Relationship with Services: Wigan findings and made some house rules... It was described postnatal depression support awesome”. services as inadequate. Doctors were said to offer medication and counselling even when mothers did not wish to “Our Social Worker take medication. Participants also was excellent... [she] as a problem. Many mentioned “just has her own life needingidentified someone waiting tolists talk for to” counselling but lacking experience and she number of participants described how engagingin confidence in services to go out like and Children’s find it. A can sympathise with Centres had helped them recover from us..” postnatal depression by decreasing their isolation and increasing their
Another family undergoing a court case Oneconfidence. mother who was interviewed in to get custody of their child said: “Our West Field Children’s Centre described Social Worker was excellent... [she] has how she suffered from postnatal her own life experience and she can depression 17 years ago after having sympathise with us. She understands twins. She associated this with feeling what we’re going through, she’s lived it isolated in her neighbourhood, and herself”. there being no services available to her “When I had twins it was a nightmare. Postnatal Depression and Support There were no services. It was a Services nightmare. I had no help. It was hard. I had postnatal depression. I didn’t Seven participants in Wigan mentioned tell anyone because I was scared that experiencing postnatal depression. For I might have the kids taken off my many, their depression seemed linked social services. I lived in Kitt Green... to wider social and emotional problems Everyone was out in the day working. There was no one about to talk to. I birth, feeling too young to have a baby felt on my own... I would sit at home orsuch feeling as having over-burdened been through by having a difficult too and feel so bad as though I wanted to many children and an unsupportive throw the child out the house. I’d talk partner. Many of these mothers to the Health Visitor and she’d make RELATIONSHIPS WITH SERVICES | ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH REPORT | PAGE 29 3. Relationship with Services: Wigan findings me realise that was normal part of post being me”. would phone me up in the morning and going. The Link Worker is great because natal depression”. get me out. She’d even drag me out if I could just talk”. Another mother who had moved from she had to. That was what really helped. This mother then got pregnant again 12 Kent to Wigan described how her They were brilliant...the link worker Another mother described how years later. By that time she had moved initial isolation and problems with signed me off as a case a year ago but postnatal depression had contributed to a different area and felt this meant neighbours in her area contributed she’s always there for me. If I ever want towards her separation from her she had access to a better standard of to her postnatal depression: “I had anything, I can ask her anything”. partner, and isolation from her friends. services: “I moved to Norley Hall when postnatal depression for over eighteen She told us: “I chose not to go to the I was pregnant and it was the best thing months. When we moved here it was counselling because I didn’t have the I’d ever done. I was very ill when I had really hard ‘cos we moved away from they experienced in seeking support my second child. My neighbours were all our friends and family. Then I was fromSome services: participants “I have described been on difficulties the would they bother about me? They’d really supportive. They would wake up all on my own. We had a problem with waiting list for four weeks to see a justconfidence go home to at go…. night I thought and not why give a in the afternoon and they’d been in and counsellor for cognitive counselling... shit… Looking back I think it could put my tea on and done my ironing, so moved in, I went to see her and she but I could be waiting anywhere up have helped but I didn’t have the things were ready for when the twins said,our next ‘don’t door let neighbour.anyone see When you talking we first to six more months... It would be got home. People with the least, give to me or else no one will want to know really useful to have a drop-in centre come and just have a chat like we’re the most... Now, a lot of places are more you. The women on the other side is a doingconfidence… now to Iget just it neededall out”. someone She also to accessible. When I had the twins unless witch’. I went to the other neighbour minutes… that’s all it takes sometimes. didn’t feel well supported by her Health I could walk somewhere there was no and she said, ‘watch the woman next to Atto speakthe doctor’s to people you for need just to five make or anten Visitor: “ [she] didn’t really know how way I could go there. The double buggy you, she’s trouble’. I just said to them appointment and then wait a week to I was truly feeling. She didn’t have both, ‘you don’t need to tell me what be seen, and then when you get there children of her own... When she said to do. I can make up my own mind, they want you out. But by then it’s all “how are you feeling” I just said, “OK” Shewouldn’t now volunteeredfit on the bus”. at West Field. thank you’. When I was really depressed over”. This mother said her postnatal and that was the end, nothing else was She described to researchers how she the woman next door had a really depression had started 14 years ago, followed up...If the Health Visitor had wished to use her negative experiences aggressive staffy [dog] she led it out and never gone away. She had also been better then that could have been and it nearly attacked S...[her daughter]. experienced domestic violence, and okay. She needed more information volunteer here at West Field and now I I phoned the police and they had it put about postnatal depression- she told workto benefit here. others: I want “Ito started help other as a mums, down. So she decided to phone Social a man. She described how she had me all her information came from a text I love helping other mums. My boss Services and told them that my children previouslywas in a difficult received relationship support she with found book”. This participant also described tells me that sometimes I do too much were always covered in bruises”. very helpful, but it had now been how she had got better on her own, and but it’s because I want to help people. withdrawn: “I have had a Link Worker with the help of the Children’s Centre: “I They are open with me because of the Despite the initially unwanted nature of who called in and looked after the thought ‘I’m going to walk up the main way I am... When I had my twins, I felt the intervention from Social Services, children for an hour every day, but she road and do something I don’t normally as though I lost my identity. I was just the mother ultimately felt that it had is going because the funding is going, do’. I didn’t get any advice about it, I known as ‘mum’. Now that I work I’ve helped her get over her depression: there are a lot of people going to come did it all myself, by starting with things got my name back. People know me for “They gave me a Link Worker. She crashing down because the support is I wouldn’t normally do”. She then RELATIONSHIPS WITH SERVICES | ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH REPORT | PAGE 30 3. Relationship with Services: Wigan findings started going to groups at Children’s how the desire to get a child tested for so I might as well be one. I felt empty Centres, which gradually increased her ADHD could also be seen as a parents and worthless. It ended up that he put a “I’ve been going to “cry for help”. knife to my throat and told us to leave”. where she wanted to advise other parenting classes. Her son later developed serious violent peopleconfidence. going She through was now similar at the things: stage “I Domestic Violence and Support behaviour towards his younger sister, would love to get a job helping people I slipped up with my Services and was subsequently put into care. with PND by giving them advice and first child. I treated listening”. Three of the participants spoke of Another mother casually referred to him as a friend not experiencing domestic violence. All domestic violence in the middle of ADHD and Support Services as a parent because three alluded to domestic violence discussing her experience of postnatal being associated with low self-esteem depression, saying: “My previous Four of the participants had one of of what my mum and troubled relationships. Only one partner strangled me”. She was now in their children tested for ADHD due to did to me.” of these mothers mentioned receiving a relationship with a man she described behavioural problems. Of those four, as “lazy”. While she did not mention violence, and this she described were rejected, and one was awaiting assupport inadequate. specifically The other for domestic two had the domestic violence, she did say she theone result.confirmed In all as cases having it was ADHD, the twoparent extensive involvement from other wasreceiving on a waitingany support list for specifically treatment for for themselves that lead the way with seemed that participants wanted services including Social Services depression and used to have a Link requesting the tests. One mother who theWigan diagnosis researchers to explain reflected their that child’s it addressing wider problems of neglect Worker that visited her at her home had suffered domestic violence and problems, and potentially alleviate and postnatal depression. every day. had a child in care said “I asked him their concerns about not being a ‘good to get him assessed for ADHD at his parent’. Another possible reason for The mother who had been directly Health Visitors seeking a diagnosis of ADHD was to supported over domestic violence His behaviour has been bad since he obtain additional support services. One described how she had had a very From participants comments there wasjunior four. school I couldn’t but they take said him he anywhere, was fine. mother who suffered from anxiety had complicated relationship with seems to be a varied quality of Health he has no respect, he was always her son diagnosed, and told researchers her father and had subsequently Visiting provision with a number of swearing. He’s always been such hard with relief “we’ve got a lot of help from experienced a number of violent participants being unhappy with the work”. She later alluded to the fact that the school… school give me all the help relationships: “After M [the father of her service received. One mother said “The his behaviour might be linked to her I could have”. Health Visitor was just rubbish. I’d parenting: “I’ve been going to parenting relationship quickly. I’d fallen pregnant rather speak to people here [Children’s Of the four mothers mentioned, one had whenfirst child], I was Iwith got intoM, just another after I’dviolent had J. Centre]. I don’t think they know what I treated him as a friend not as a parent suffered postnatal depression, one was they’re on about.” Another mother becauseclasses. I of slipped what my up mumwith my did first to me”. child. on medication for anxiety, and another got involved and she backed him up. It complained that advice from Health one was suffering from severe domestic wasWhenever like there we gotwere into three a fights of us M’s in the mum Visitors was “confusing” and a third abuse. Wigan researchers discussed relationship. I always felt like it was my person said they were “crap” fault. I thought, well I’m a punch bag RELATIONSHIPS WITH SERVICES | ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH REPORT | PAGE 31 3. Relationship with Services: Wigan findings
However, some participants were very them now. The last time I saw her was including those of an emotional nature. appointments sooner when you ring positive, saying things such as; “I now at the two and a half year assessment”. Participants attending for problems up. It’s usually about a week at the have a fantastic Health Visitor who has Another mother said “They [Health with postnatal depression often felt moment”. given me so much information” and Visitors] come around a few time’s for they weren’t dealt with effectively (see “Health visitors were brilliant, you can Postnatal Depression and Support Some participants reported having ask any questions”. them”. Services). Some participants who did mixed experiences of GPs so when they the first month… then you don’t see not access other community-based found one they trusted they would Many mothers raised concerns over A number of participants mentioned services for parents referred to the GP stick with them. One mother said: “The what they felt to be a reduction in having formed good relationships as the service they would access for all doctors at Sherwood Drive are alright. contact with Health Visitors after the with their Health Visitors. Positive their familial needs. One mother who Well most of them are alright. I don’t birth of a new child: “When I had A relationships with Health Visitors like Dr A, she’s a right cow. Every time were associated with participants the need for support outside of her I went in with the children they would round a lot but when I had Z [second reporting positive relationships with familylived in and Springfield school, but spoke said of “ notI just feeling go to just tell me that they are ok. Dr B was child],[first child] they didn’tthe Health come Visitor very often. came I other services too. One mother who the doctor if I need anything”. Another brilliant. I only go to see him now”. think the service has been cut down had a daughter who was born with no young mother didn’t attend any other Similarly, another mother said: “ I used which is a shame. There are some services with her baby, but said of her to go to the doctor in Marsh Green and families where they would be needed, postnatal depression said, “The Health GP: “she’s the only one that listens”. then they moved, so I moved with them. some children might need to be Visitorfingers wasand reallyhad gone good... on toI moved suffer herefrom He knew all the kids names so I went checked up on. I knew that they were when I had D and I didn’t know anyone with him. I used to use the baby clinic. I at the end of the phone if I needed but I really like it here now.” Another “I thought, well wouldn’t go anywhere else”. anything. But I think it would be better mother who was interviewed in I’m a punch bag so if everyone could have a visit every nine I might as well be Arts, Leisure and Culture months at least”. how she had felt “down and isolated” afterWestfield the birth Children’s of her Centrechild, until described her one. I felt empty and Amongst many participants in Wigan One young mother said of the lack of Health Visitor gave her information worthless.” there was a perception of a lack of Health Visitor visits, “of course I need about the Children’s Centre. She provision of leisure services in their her; I’m only 17”. She didn’t know ended up going “every morning and areas. However, Wigan Ethnographers precisely what kind of help she wanted, every afternoon... Whatever that was A number of participants complained found that those who were proactive but as she had just started weaning she on within walking distance we went about the length of time it can take to about seeking out activities they wanted reassurance to her question “is to... [there’s] something different on obtain a doctor’s appointment: “The GP wanted were often successful. A his head right?”. Another mother who everyday, you can go and have a laugh”. at Sherwood hasn’t been very good. It negative attitude, fear of trying new takes a week to get an appointment”. things, and a desire for “everything recently had another one commented: GP Services Another mother also reported: “We to be on their doorstep” often led “Thehad her Health first Visitorschild ten are years different ago and now. had go to a doctor on Bradshaw Street. It’s to people expressing a feeling of They visited all the time when I had my The GP was often mentioned as the been alright, you always have your little dissatisfaction with their area. One complaints. I wish they could give you mother said: “There is nothing to first [10 years ago] but I’ve hardly seen first service to visit with any problems, RELATIONSHIPS WITH SERVICES | ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH REPORT | PAGE 32 3. Relationship with Services: Wigan findings do- I’m stuck in the house all the time. mother shared with us the pressures There are baby groups but I don’t want she felt trying to keep her daughter to go there, the kids do my head in.... occupied since her husband had been St. Cuthberts does a gardening club made redundant: “She does horse after school, my daughter goes there riding, karate, acting, stage coach, but I don’t know why, she never does she does it all. But horse riding costs any gardening for me. My eldest does £30 a go... [she] thinks we are an drama and cheer leading. She doesn’t endless pot of money”. Swimming was want to go because it’s not proper cheer a very popular activity but some felt leading, they don’t have the pom-poms disappointed that they now had to pay and costumes like they do in America”. for it: “we miss the swimming …now its 15 to 20 pound if we go as a family… Many parents in Leigh complained it used to be great…we would go 3 or 4 about there being a lack of facilities in nights together after school…now we the area, saying that everything is in can’t do that…my husband’s put weight Wigan. But one couple from the Trees on…now we walk to the park but Estate in Leigh shared an interesting swimming used to be a family activity”. insight: “Laser Quest and the bowling Participants generally thought that alley [in Leigh]... were both closed the amount of green space and parks down. Everyone in Leigh whinges that Wigan have everything and Leigh has about the safety of them, as older kids nothing but when they get it they don’t “hangwas sufficient around thebut parks”.were concerned A mother use it so it closes”. Another mother who lived on the trees estate told told us “If you need something for researchers: “you have to get your timing right because there is always people drinking in there- you have to your children you have to go and find ask them get off the swings to put your thingsit”. Parents to keep with their the childrenconfidence occupied: and kids on and they’ll tell you where to onemotivation mother talked spoke ofof findingtaking thenice, whole free go”. Some parents wouldn’t take their family cycling together down the canal: kids to the park as a result. One mother “I like the area its quiet, it’s not a Town who suffered from anxiety and had a or a Village…it’s rural…I like outdoors son with ADHD and a daughter with stuff…like cycling”. behavioural issues said she wouldn’t take her children to her local park The cost of activities and transport was “’cos of needles, glass in the sand and a concern for many participants. One rubbish”. INTERVIEW STUDIES | ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH REPORT | PAGE 33
INTERview study 3: wigan
Interviewee: Mother, 27 years old. the issues raised by a participant Relationship Status: Engaged to partner, interviewedThe following at information a play group reflects by a Wigan living together. Council employee. The interview was Children: Three children of ten, six and recorded by a note-taker, also from two. Wigan Council. As far as possible the Ethnicity: White British. notes below represent comments Time in Wigan: Lived in Wigan since the directly made by the participant in age of 10. response to questions and prompts Employment status: Full time mother from the interviewer. and volunteers at Rainbows. Father works full time. Area of residence: Worsley Hall INTERVIEW STUDIES | ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH REPORT | PAGE 34
“I live in Worsley Hall but use the “I didn’t really attend groups with my “The three girls [daughters] are always “The lows of being a mum are the services in Marsh Green more because sleepless nights. I love everything else, my mum is down here and the kids go The Health Visitor for my second child change them. When they are naughty I apart from when they’re naughty. I to the local school”. first. I was too cool when I was younger. putfighting them but on I the love naughty them, I step.wouldn’t The older don’t want any more children at the “I volunteer with the Rainbows here in with Sure Start and we organised day one gets embarrassed but she’s setting moment, I want a rest. But I would like Marsh Green. One of the volunteers has trips,gave me like leaflets to Gullivers and I World.got involved They were an example for the younger ones. a boy. If I had a magic wand, I’d have no “a daughter in my daughter’s class so I really good. The centre gave me loads of naughty kids!” got“ a letter asking if anyone wanted to information. “I don’t do any of the activities in the “I’ve been engaged for years. I’m not help. area with the kids. One of them wants bothered about the wedding, I just want “I used to go to the doctor in Marsh to do gymnastics but I haven’t got to go on the honeymoon”. “My daughter goes to Rainbows with Green and then they moved, so I moved round to it yet. her friends. I help with the fun stuff, like with them. He knew all the kids’ names crafts. We’re making tiaras next week. so I went with him. I used to use the “The Health Visitors are different now. baby clinic. I wouldn’t go anywhere They visited all the time when I had my “I’ve lived in the area since I was 10. I else. I went into Sherwood Clinic for like it, it’s our community. baby clinic with N… [the youngest them now. The last time I saw her was child]… It was really hard getting an atfirst the [10 two years and ago]a half but year I’ve assessment. hardly seen appointment with the dentist but my I was 17. I was still living with my grandma got one at Beech Hill so we “On a typical day I get up at 7am to get mother.“When I Myhad family my first are child, close my all daughter,close by went with her. the girls ready for school. Then we go and help out. I have a lot of support. My shopping or go to a group. When I pick partner helps out, he has no choice. “We’ve had a few problems on my them up we go home and have tea and ” street. It’s been a party street, there ” “There was a big age gap between my was lot of noise…I used to babysit for bed at 7.30. Sometimes the second one children. There was a four year gap a couple in Marsh Green. They split willthey read fight. her The a youngeststory. I have one to goes put tothem up and the man moved to our street to bed at different times or else they years, so I’m ready for a rest now. I’ve in Worsley Hall. He’s always got girls beenbetween with the them first for two 10 and years. then three coming and going, it’s turned into a I let her watch telly. party house. There’s always something fight. The older one goes to bed at 9 but going on! We had help setting up a “My partner works at weekends but has neighbourhood watch and the PCSOs a day off in the week. He goes out on his visit. I was thinking of moving but it’s mountain bike cos he’s working all the where my kids are born [in the house]. time. He does overtime all the time. He bought me a mountain bike. RELATIONSHIPS WITH SERVICES | ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH REPORT | PAGE 35 3. RELATIONSHIPS WITH services: OLDHAM findings
Children’s Centres now I’ve seen her sharing with other out about other services: “I like it here “My husband didn’t know how to cope children”. When describing her day-to- [the Beever Centre], When I moved cos I was crying all the time, he phoned Most of the interviews in Oldham were day routine it also became apparent my mum, and said that he didn’t know carried out at in-service locations or attending the Children’s Centre once a system. They’ve helped explain it to me what to do. The GP was female and was arranged through services. This meant week was the only day she didn’t stay in andhere helped I knew me”. nothing about the benefit very understanding and had plenty of we found little information about the house with her child. time, I was in there 45 minutes. I got to people who were not engaged with see a counsellor about two weeks later. Children’s Centres or other family The GP offered anti-depressants, but support services. themSome fromparticipants accessing identified Children’s a lack Centres. of I did not want them as I was scared of “It’s been good for Oneconfidence White Britishas a barrier participant that prevented with getting addicted to them, and wanted to Amongst participants, Children’s lots of family support in the area told Centres were recognised for having him. He’s more researchers: “I was worried about going had a very positive impact on both confident and used [to the playgroup] to start with, but my Participantstry counselling often first”. described how their own lives, and their child’s brother’s partner has a kid too, and we their mental health issues had been development. Many participants to seeing other went together”. exacerbated by issues such as poor described how their children gained children...” Postnatal Depression Support Services/ Social Services aroundhousing, child financial care. concerns,In all cases and social the included:a range of socialising benefits from with attending other isolationinability toappeared find employment to be a key to factor. fit childrenChildren’s from Centres. an early These age, benefits being Four participants in Oldham described Discussion of postnatal depression exposed to stimulating learning Another Bangladeshi mother described suffering from postnatal depression. All was associated with feelings of shame opportunities and learning to her weekly routine as being full of four had attended the GP and had been and fear, with participants expressing communicate and share with others social interactions with other friends offered medication and counselling. concerns that if they admitted their outside of their family. Children’s with children and family members. Participants held a variety of views on problems Social Services might take Centres and playgroups were often However, she still described attending the effectiveness of their treatment. their children away. experienced as a ‘lifeline’ by parents the Children’s Centre as having a One single mother of six children told who otherwise felt isolated and lost for profound effect on her son: “It’s been us why she opted for medication rather Disability Support Services things to do with their children. than counselling: “They offered me used to seeing other children, or if a someone [CBT counsellor] to talk to We spoke to a number of parents of One mother who had moved to Oldham strangergood for him.says helloHe’s more in the confident street, so and it’s but I said I did not want it, I don’t want children with a disability. Impairments from Bangladesh as a baby described better when we go out now”. to talk to strangers, I don’t have time included hearing , ADHD and epilepsy, the positive effect her local Children’s with the kids and nothing changes. You autism, and developmental delay. Centre had had on her child: “It’s really For one mother who had become just walk away with the same problems good, children can learn, my daughter pregnant shortly after moving to so what’s the point? The Doctor was of services acting quickly to identify has been learning since she’s been Oldham from China the Children’s really good he actually listened”. While andParticipants treat the identified problem. theOne importance White coming, she didn’t used to share but another mother had the opposing view: British single mother with six children, Centre provided a link for her to find RELATIONSHIPS WITH SERVICES | ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH REPORT | PAGE 36 3. RELATIONSHIPS WITH services: OLDHAM findings one with epilepsy and another with A Bangladeshi father of a child with an developmental delay told us to get the undiagnosed health problem said: Many mothers raised concerns over support she needed for her son she had what they felt to be a reduction in to “push” for it. Parents were conscious “We’ve been everywhere, running “Breast feeding was contact with Health Visitors after the that failing to act immediately could around to different services- the birth of a new child: “When I had ‘A’ negatively impact upon the future of hospital, speech and language, hearing hard to start with, their children. One White British father test- running everywhere”. The mother my health visitor round a lot but when I had ‘Z’ [second of a girl with a hearing impairment told us she feared this had prevented child],[first child] they didn’tthe Health come Visitor very often. came I said: “Daughter ‘R’ has a hearing aid her from taking part in activities that was excellent and think the service has been cut down in each ear... she had it from birth, but could have helped her: “To make things supportive...” which is a shame. There are some only got hearing aids in January. The better for ‘K’ it would have been good families where they would be needed; audiology department at the integrated if she could have carried on going to some children might need to be health centre waited four years to see something like Play and Stay at St checked up on. I knew that they were if it was a temporary problem, and her Hilda’s. Most of the time I couldn’t take at the end of the phone if I needed speech has been slow to develop as a her because she’s been ill- but I think Health Visitors anything. But I think it would be better consequence”. A White British mother if everyone could have a visit every nine shared: “In September I got concerned interacting more with other kids, she From participants comments there months at least”. when I noticed he [4 year old son] was couldshe really have could learnt have from benefitted what they from were seems to be a varied quality of Health not talking in nursery. I contacted my doing”. Visiting provision with a number of One young mother said of the lack of Health Visitor who said leave it until the participants being unhappy with the Health Visitor visits: “of course I need 18 month assessment which was due in GP Services service received. her; I’m only 17”. She didn’t know December. We didn’t hear from them, “The Health Visitor was just rubbish. I’d precisely what kind of help she wanted, so had to call about 10 times before Participants were largely positive rather speak to people here [Children’s but as she had just started weaning anyone came. The Health Visitor said, about their experiences of GP Services, Centre]. I don’t think they [Health she’d wanted reassurance to her “it’s not me, it’s community nursery with few complaints expressed (See Visitors] know what they’re on about.” question “is his head right?”. Another nurse”. The CNN eventually called also ‘Postnatal Depression Support Another mother complained that advice back and said it is between 18 and 20 Services’ for positive experiences). from Health Visitors was “confusing” years ago and had recently had another months [that they would come]. She Access to translation and interpretation and a third person said they were one,mother commented: who had her “The first Health child Visitors ten was highlighted as important to some “crap”. are different now. They visited all the wrote a letter of complaint and said if with limited English. One Bangladeshi hefinally had visited18 month at about assessment 19.5 months... on time I mother told us “The doctor’s nice, However, some participants were but I’ve hardly seen them now. The last he might be better now”. she speaks Bangla too”. Frustrations very positive. “I now have a fantastic time Iwhen saw herI had was my at first the [10two years and a ago] half Health Visitor who has given me so year assessment”. Another mother said Parents of children with a disability a lack of consistent access to the much information.” Another mother “They [Health Visitors] come around frequently expressed frustration over sameidentified doctor by andparticipants waiting times included for recounted: “ [The] Health Visitors were a being passed from service to service. appointments. brilliant, you can ask any questions.” you don’t see them”. few time’s for the first month… then RELATIONSHIPS WITH SERVICES | ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH REPORT | PAGE 37 3. RELATIONSHIPS WITH services: OLDHAM findings
A number of participants mentioned rubbish… and then the local Councillor wouldn’t go there now because you see having formed good relationships lives in a million pound house in people drinking and I don’t want my with their Health Visitors. Positive Chadderton. How can he know what to children to see that”. Alexandra Park relationships with Health Visitors do about the area when he doesn’t live was generally acknowledged as being were associated with participants here?”. Another participant, a White a pleasant place but for many people reporting positive relationships with British mother, said, “the council has with small children they found it “too other services too. One mother who far”, as expressed by one single mother had a daughter who was born with no and putting up photos of how the area from St Mary’s. Many parents also usedspent to money look on on concrete fences, flowerbeds blocks, instead expressed dissatisfaction over the lack postnatal depression said: “The Health of spending money on facilities in the of youth centres in the area, believing it Visitorfingers wasand reallyhad gone good... on toI moved suffer herefrom area”. contributed to more teenagers hanging when I had D and I didn’t know anyone around on the streets and causing but I really like it here now.” Another A White British family described trouble. mother who was interviewed in feeling excluded from the local community activities due to the Many participants expressed the view how she had felt “down and isolated” behaviour of one local politician: “There that other activities in the area were afterWestfield the birth Children’s of her Centrechild, until described her was a politician that came to H’s [next too expensive or not well publicised Health Visitor gave her information door neighbour’s]. Everybody [Asian enough. One young Pakistani father about the Children’s Centre. She community] was in there. I asked if I who lived in Glodwick said: “The Sports ended up going “every morning and could go in, but they wouldn’t let me… Centre is £4- we can’t afford it”. A White every afternoon... Whatever that was They told me they wanted all the whites British father told researchers: “they on within walking distance we went off the street”. need to publicise what’s on more- we to... [there’s] something different on everyday, you can go and have a laugh”. Arts, Leisure and Culture don’t know where to go to find out”. Oldham Council Participants did not often express views on the provision of arts, leisure and A number of participants expressed culture as a whole. Instead, participants a general dissatisfaction over the tended to focus on a perceived lack of contribution Oldham Council was felt appropriate parks and open spaces for to make to local quality of life. One children and teenagers to play . The Bangladeshi father told us: “I used few parks available to participants to go to political meetings and was were often described as unsafe places so surprised by how the councillors for their children. One Bangladeshi never make an issue out of anything. father told researchers: “There’s a They never cut any grass or clean any park near by, Boundary Park, but I INTERVIEW STUDIES | ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH REPORT | PAGE 38
Father: “I have lots of relatives in this area. My brother lives two streets away,
her three sons and one daughter. We visitmy sister each livesother’s five houses streets all away the time,with INTERview study 4: oldham but live separately”. Father: “Parenthood just comes Interviewee: Mother and father automatically. My family are always the issues raised by a participant together. around so I just help sometimes but interviewedThe following in information their own home reflects by Relationship Status: Married. not all the time. Their mum looked an Oldham Council employee. The Children: Five children, of one, two, “ after them a lot when they were little, interview was organised through a nine, ten and 15. “ and she would ask for help sometimes, Sure Start Centre, and recorded by a Ethnicity: Bangladeshi. but normally I would just go out for note-taker from thinkpublic. As far as Time in Oldham: Both moved to shopping and work, cos that is what I possible the notes below represent England 17 years ago. do”. comments directly made by the Employment status: Father works participant in response to questions evenings in a take away. Mother takes Mother: “I came here 17 years ago, and prompts from the interviewer. care of the children full time. but we’ve been in this house for ten Further information: years. We got married in Bangladesh The father’s mother, sister and brother, and after eight months we got entry. and his eight sons all live in the area. The mother has four sisters and one we moved here…We used to see my brother. One is in Canada, one in France, familyWe first every lived few … round months, the but corner, now then it’s one in Oxford, and another in London. just once a year because we’ve got the Housing: Live in an Aksa Housing children now, and we’ve got such a big Association property family”.
Mother: “[My daily routine is] I wake up, pray, have breakfast, change the babies’ nappies, and get them breakfast. When it’s the holidays we wake up at seven O’clock, but in school time I wake up earlier. I get the kids to school and come back to look after the babies”. INTERVIEW STUDIES | ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH REPORT | PAGE 39
Mother: “My sister-in-law helps with Father: “We manage, we help each up cos she doesn’t respond to her own and sometimes our spending is too childcare. The oldest son also helps other, there are lots of people around us name…There’s been no diagnosis at the much, sometimes it’s OK. We spend with nappies and feeding them as well. who can help. My mum and sister are moment”. on shopping, in Tesco’s and Bengali My next door neighbour [who is also very supportive”. and Pakistani grocery shops, in the from Bangladesh] sometimes helps out Mother: “We had a good Health Visitor chemist for nappies, food, those things. as well, or did when the children were Mother: “Our older children are all OK, that used to come every couple of Household bills I pay from my wages, younger. She’s been living next door but we have concerns about K. [the two weeks, but then she stopped coming. At but the water bill has been very high for years, so we’ve got to know her. She year old]. She is not talking and she 16 months I phoned her up and said I recently, so I’ve had to take some would come over and help out. But now often falls ill. She gets coughs and colds was worried, but they sent a different money from the tax credits and child they’ve grown up and got married and and she’s anaemic too…it started when Health Visitor, but this one isn’t so good. have children of their own”. she was around one year old. Between She came once and that was it. She 9-12 months she was ill four times, and said “I haven’t seen anyone with this Father:benefit to“I dopay waiting for it. I andmanage”. deliveries for a Father: “We are always talking, freely she eventually was crying and vomiting behaviour before”, but then she didn’t take-away restaurant half an hour away. [with our neighbour], we see each other all day and night so we took her to come back… She sent us a letter saying I start at 5pm and it closes at 11pm. I in the garden, and just pop over to each the hospital. She stayed in there one she was going to come a month ago, do it six days a week”. other’s houses”. night, and after that she’s never been but then she didn’t come, or didn’t even the same again. She was talking at four cancel the appointment. I saw her at the Father: “Money at the moment is a Father: “[My daily routine is] I wake up, months, saying “mama” and “dada” but CAF meeting the other week, but that problem. Spending has gone very high have breakfast, do the family shopping, now she doesn’t say anything. She’s was it”. in everything. Cooking oil used to be and sometimes business shopping in her own little world, just walking 60p per litre and now costs £1.20. too to help my boss. I sometimes have Mum: “The previous Health Visitor Petrol costs £1.34. It does affect our a meeting for a community activity notice, but after a couple of months I was good because she used to come daily life, but we manage. Sometimes and then I go to work. At 3.15 I collect startedaround worryingall the time… because at first she I didn’twasn’t and observe me with K…[two year old my sister gives us money, and she children from school in the car… I come saying a word”. daughter], and then take notes and works only one day a week!”. home late at night so I don’t get up in give them to me so I could take them the morning. My sister comes over and Father: “Now with her condition no to my doctor and understand what Father: “The house condition is OK in helps with the kids”. one can leave her on her own. We was going on. This one doesn’t come worry she might do something…She to observe, and she doesn’t give me Mother: “But when it’s cold [ weather] Mother: “This morning I was at the doesn’t know what she is doing…We’ve much information. I’m concerned and the twosummer, rooms it’s upstairs fine”. get very cold, doctor with a personal problem. It’s been everywhere, running around she’s not supporting me. If she’d come and there’s a cracked ceiling. Every year not a regular thing, it’s only occasional to different services; the hospital, to observe she could have helped me we must paint it and do the ceilings and [that I go there]. The doctor’s nice, she Speech and Language, hearing test, understand more what was going on”. walls to make it better”. speaks Bangla too”. running everywhere. The hospital referred to Speech and Language, but Father: “I am working full time, and Father: “The area is OK, we are just a bit we haven’t been there yet. We’ve also concerned about the young lads who got a hearing test at the ICC coming We get just the minimum income, hang around, and the drugs. I come we get child benefit and tax credit. | ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH REPORT | PAGE 40
home from work at 12.30 and there are How can he know what to do about the Mother: “To improve things here it will improve the kids. There’s no young lads and girls around, drinking area when he doesn’t live here?”. I would like Aksa [the Housing activities at the moment, and the vodka and smoking”. Association] to do refurbishments on school is one thing, but they need Father: “I want my children to be able the house and we’d like a play area for support from things outside in the Mother: “There’s a park near by, to do cultural activities. There are no the kids. To make things better for K community and parents too. When you Boundary Park, but I wouldn’t go there opportunities here. I want my son to [the two year old] it would have been go places like Oxford and Cambridge now because you see people drinking good if she could have carried on going it’s completely different. My sister lives and I don’t want my children to see establish his life and get a good job. I to something like Play and Stay at St there and she isn’t educated, but their that. My older son is 16 but I won’t let amget verygood upset qualifications they are somissing then he out can on Hilda’s. Most of the time I couldn’t take children are now getting well educated. him go out much because he’ll see bad a lot of activities, like sports, and other her because she’s been ill, but I think Society there is completely different, events. There’s no playground so they in school they all compete to get must stay at home during holidays, interacting more with other kids, she better grades. They have lots of other Father:things and “There’s it will no influence playground him”. nearby or otherwise we have to take them to couldshe really have could learnt have from benefitted what they from were activities there. Most of their children so we can’t let them go out on their other places. We take them to places doing”. are established with good grades and own. I’ve spoken to the council lots like Oxford, Cambridge, and London”. social activities”. of times. There’s empty space just Father: “I’m a school governor at my behind our house which they could Mother: “I want to leave Oldham and son’s school. I go to meetings and Father: “There’s not enough build something on, but they never do go to another town, to a better area, continually speak to them. At the employment in Oldham at the moment. anything. Our window has been broken but I can’t cos all my husband’s family moment they’re getting very good Most jobs are covered by illegal people, four times by kids playing in the street, are here. I want to go to Oxford or people can pay them less money. Legal but you can’t blame them, cos they’ve Cambridge. The atmosphere there is well, when he [oldest son] started eight people aren’t getting jobs. I’m getting got nowhere else to play”. so different. I want them to go there yearsresults. ago At it first had they bad weren’tresults, doingbut the so minimum wage, and businesses know and have a better quality of life, better school is now improving. My daughter they can get away with paying people Mother: “I’m scared driving out the education and facilities”. less…the cost of running a business drive, cos there’s always small children saying “good attitude” and things, has gone up, so people are trying to on the street and you can’t always see Mother: “For myself there are education and theyson both are both received in the certificates top group in cut costs wherever they can, so they go them”. opportunities here, but my kids are a maths and other classes. Overall the illegal”. barrier. I was enrolled on an English education system in Oldham is OK, class but I couldn’t go because K… but lots of families aren’t supporting a single playground. I used to go to [the two year old] was getting ill so their children, and the school can’t do politicalFather: “In meetings Coldhurst and you was won’t so surprised find frequently. Before she was born I was anything without their involvement. by how the councillors never make attending college and my other kids Some parents are supporting but many an issue out of anything. They never were all at school. I was doing entry are not”. cut any grass or clean any rubbish… level three ESOL classes. I couldn’t take and then the local councillor lives in the exam cos I was heavily pregnant”. Father: “To improve, the council need a million pound house in Chadderton. to provide grounds for social activities, ”” SENSE OF PLACE | ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH REPORT | PAGE 41 | ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH REPORT | PAGE 41
SENSE OF PLACE place noun
1 a particular position , point , or area in space ; a location.
2 a portion of space designated or available for or being used by someone.
Source: Oxford University Press SENSE OF PLACE | ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH REPORT | PAGE 42 4. Sense of Place: Wigan findings
There was an interesting paradox in a tent up, and all the forensics and things were ready for when the twins how many people talked about Wigan. everything. They can’t tell who it is. It’s got home. People with the least, gives around and pick one up”. Many participants complained about nasty. It does happen around here… in the most. I was literate. I could read the post office: “My daughter could go drugs and alcohol being prevalent, and drug alley around the corner there’s and write, so I helped the neighbours Transport links were often described by spoke of their fears about negative been a few murders here. My friend with their forms and they would do my participants as inadequate. Not many found a dead body there, another one ironing. It was like a bartering system”. participants had cars, and buses were very few expressed a desire to move hung himself, another one overdosed ‘extortionate’: “It’s cheaper to get taxis away.influences One motheron their who children. had moved However, to on smack, another one hung himself- he Not all parents were so positive about than buses- now only £3.20 to Asda. If Wigan from Glasgow when she was a was always taking drugs and drinking.... the area they lived in. One mother I went on the bus it would be £2, and teenager described how she felt about But no! It don’t bother me, it’s just suffering from anxiety was trying to £1 for each child once they turn 5”. the area: gossip to me, it don’t affect my life”. On One mother with four children spoke a similar theme, another mother told in the area and so had moved away us: “I’ve lived here all my life and I hate fromprotect her her friends son from and thefamily: bad “we’ve influences travel for her family: “We have to take it… it’s full of smack heads… but my ourof the oldest difficulties son to Manchestershe had arranging every six daughter is more than likely going to doesn’t know anyone around there… he months for a check up and my other “I moved to grow up around here…it’s not where justmoved plays over with to Springfieldhis eight year now old and cousin, he son who is eight to see a nutritionist you grow up it’s how you bring them so that’s alright…”. However, it was in Manchester... We don’t have a car so Norley when I was up”. it’s either on the bus or taxis but they pregnant, and it was herself from the community, because are really expensive. It’s a real pain. For many, relationships with family herdifficult mum for and her sisters to completely still lived distance in the Its costs us £1.90 to get into Leigh on the best thing I had and friends were described as the Norley Hall area. the bus so it’s too expensive for all the most valuable thing about the area family”. ever done...” where they lived. These relationships Concerns over safety and the need seemed to create a sense of belonging to avoid certain people in their area Immigration and racism was rarely and of being able to communicate were commonly expressed by many raised as an issue for any of the openly with people around them. participants. One mother who had participants. 45 of the 48 participants Another mother who had suffered from experienced domestic violence spoke of we spoke to were born in England. No “I’ve moved around all over the place in postnatal depression described what buying a bullmastiff because “You need immigrants to Wigan spoke of having the past, and now I’m staying where I the community meant to her: a big dog to feel safe around here. It’s experienced racism. The only reference for protection more than a pet if anyone to immigration came from a Wigan up here. I don’t get no bother, me, I just “I moved to Norley when I was broke in, and the pet attacked them, it resident in relation to Housing. (see walkam. I aroundwant him chatting [her first to everyone.child] to grow I’m pregnant and it was the best thing I would just be put down...I won’t go to “Housing” section P.45). just a normal person… A dead body was had ever done... My neighbours were the shops at night. There are too many found just up the road this morning, really supportive. They would wake up gangs of lads outside”. On another that’s what someone said cos they saw in the afternoon and they’d been in and occasion, a father told us of his fears put my tea on and done my ironing, so of the needles in the alley way behind SENSE OF PLACE | ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH REPORT | PAGE 43 4. Sense of Place: OLDHAM findings
A lack of social cohesion was one of the they are happy and friendly. When you The policy of placing people awaiting Participants who moved to Oldham most prevalent themes to emerge from see black people on the phone you a decision on their immigration status primarily for work or educational interviews with participants in Oldham. think something else…White and black in Oldham appeared to contribute to opportunities also expressed a lack of The majority of interviewees raised have become good and bad. Here your residents lacking a sense of connection loyalty to the area for different reasons. the issue racial tensions without being neighbours don’t care about you. People to the community they lived in. One They often spoke of being just as happy prompted, and residents often brought are not welcoming. I thought it was Zimbabwean father of two who had to live somewhere else, and being up the 2001 race riots (perhaps linked because I was black, but now I accept been moved several times whilst likely to move away when their work to the publicity about the 10 year it’s just the way that they live... I just awaiting his immigration status told or course came to an end. A Nigerian anniversary). Participants often spoke wish it was a cosmopolitan town…don’t researchers: “It wasn’t my choice to woman with no friends or family in the of a fear and mistrust of others and reject people, we need information live here- we were just put here by the area told us; “We’ve been in Oldham expressed a desire for a more ‘together’ and communication- you need to mix council...They don’t let you know what community. people ”. He went on to explain: “They they are doing until they tell you if you husband’s work- he was working need to create spaces so that people can can stay or not. It’s really unsettling- infor Manchester. five years. We He’s moved not working here for my One White British family who lived be involved with families’ problems. It’s you can’t have a plan, cos you could anymore.... We’re trying to get work but on the St Mary’s Estate said: “Next hard to meet people here. Everybody leave at any moment…But you have to it’s not easy. There’s no jobs in Oldham. door are alright, because we have got keeps themselves to themselves. It’s a keep optimistic- you have to keep the My husband found one as a support to know each other a bit… but a lot of misunderstanding. I don’t blame them faith”. worker [in London] working with them won’t even open their doors to us. they don’t know me. They probably children with behavioural problems [so My concern is why there are only Asian think the same about me”. we are moving there]”. families [getting the local houses]. Her sister is in Failsworth and she’s A mother from Pakistan who lived with “They [the Asian For some participants, it appeared that desperate to get somewhere here”. He her husband and his extended family this fear and lack of connection to the went on to say that: “J… down the road in a ten bedroom house in Glodwick neighbours] don’t area was affecting their children’s lives. keeps an eye out for the kids… They said: “I moved here six years ago as I talk to you… I’d love One Ugandan mother who had recently [the Asian neighbours] don’t talk to got married, my husband is from here. come to Oldham to study told us: “I you… I’d love it for everyone to get on. it for everyone to get don’t trust my kids with anyone, if I let This separation is how riots start, and came from the Midlands, just before we on. This separation my kids play with anyone... they haven’t I don’t want my children growing up gotI don’t married find people there werehere verythe big friendly. riots in I made friends [in the area] yet... I don’t with that”. Oldham, I feel like there is more racism is how riots start, know if they are good or bad”. here than anywhere else, it’s the people and I don’t want my A father who had moved to Oldham around here and the atmosphere...I In areas with a substantial majority of from Guinea with his wife said: “the thought it looked like a nice house, but children growing up a particular ethnic group participants way I do things is very different to the my husband said if riots go off again it who belonged to the majority ethnic way you do things. Outside you people with that.” group often expressed a greater feeling on the street when you see someone [a of social cohesion to other participants white person] on the phone you think will be the first place to go ”. in Oldham. One Pakistani resident SENSE OF PLACE | ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH REPORT | PAGE 44 4. Sense of Place: OLDHAM findings in Glodwick described the area as: for the average person its okay but for for me”. A Chinese mother who had “Glodwick...it’s a safe environment, my children its not ok, there are too lived in Oldham for two years said: its close knit and I like that...I work at many questions from them…What’s “The shopping centre nearby is very “They [the Asian weekends, so they [parents] look after this, what’s that?”. A Bangladeshi father convenient”. One Ugandan mother who her… I am fortunate to have my family described the area as “rough”, and went had moved to the area to study said: “I neighbours] don’t around. I wouldn’t be able to work on to explain: “One day I was coming can access everything easier, I like the talk to you… I’d love otherwise”. home from work at 5 or 6 O’clock and I shops but I came back here for uni”. parked the car and walked to my house. Another White British father who had it for everyone to get Some participants complained about lived in Oldham all his life said: “Living the cleanliness of their neighbourhoods. in the park but I went straight home in Coldhurst is OK cos you can walk into on. This separation One participant, a mother living in andI could the see next somebody day someone was oncalled the tofloor tell town…also it’s close to the motorway”. is how riots start, Glodwick, said: “People in Glodwick me that the Police were investigating He also said he had seen improvements don’t care about cleaning up… why and that the man was dead. It’s not safe. in the area, particularly around and I don’t want my don’t people clean up their own mess?”. It makes me feel bad because it could Alexandra Park, which “had got better children growing up Another Glodwick resident who was a have been me or it could have been my and having security was good”. He young Pakistani father told researchers: children. I want to move again”. explained that the park had previously with that”.” “Oldham Council are lazy bastards. been a ‘no go’ area. There’s rubbish in the streets and big Many participants expressed concerns rats. I tell the council but they don’t over the negative impact “bad come for ages. They do clean the streets and do recycling, but what does this do their children’s lives. A father from to help us?” influences” in the area would have on children is the area and environment. “Every other day Participants in both St Mary’s and TheGuinea children said: “Theneed first to be condition educated. of They your Coldhurst complained about not are listening and picking up on things someone’s house feeling safe in their local area. Views on all the time. I cannot tell them not to go crime and personal safety were often out”. gets robbed. expressed in racial terms. A young Security cameras Pakistani father told researchers: Some parents spoke positively about “Every other day someone’s house the convenient nature of the area they around make us feel gets robbed. Security cameras around lived in, with shops, schools and other humiliated.” make us feel humiliated – makes us feel facilities all within walking distance. A like us Pakis are criminals”. A father Bangladeshi father told researchers: “I from Guinea said: “Everything in this like the area. I have lived in Oldham for area is not good…I’m not talking about 19 years. We have shops and schools racial activity, it’s the crime. You see and the town centre is very convenient HOUSING | ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH REPORT | PAGE 45 | ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH REPORT | PAGE 45
HOUSING housing noun
1 [mass noun] houses and flats considered collectively:[as modifier] : a housing development
2 the provision of accommodation:[as modifier] : a housing association
Source: Oxford University Press HOUSING | ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH REPORT | PAGE 46 5. Housing: WIGAN findings
Neither the quality of housing, nor girls. I want a move to Pemberton, is reserved for refugees and things like the waiting period to be housed, were Norley or Worsley Hall but preferably that. If you have a roof over your head highlighted as problems by many Norley as they have bigger houses and you don’t get anything, even if you’re Wigan participants. Participants overcrowded”. No one else described this perception. accommodation very near to their onI definitely the waiting don’t list.” want to move too far. family,spoke of which being was generally a primary able concern to find to I could be looking at another five years the majority of participants. Another mother said “I’ve got a three bedroom house and all my sons have to The main complaint seemed to be that share a bedroom. There aren’t any four houses were not always big enough bedroomed houses on the estate and I for all their children: “My sister is in wouldn’t want to move away.” a two bedroom house with four kids and there’s no room for anything, all There were some complaints about the their clothes are in boxes”. One father, state of the houses but in these cases separated from his child’s mother, told there was an acknowledgement that us “[my daughter] can’t stay with me repairs were carried out promptly. at the moment because she can’t sleep ”The houses are disgusting, they’re on the sofa”. However, even he seemed just tiny and there’s always something to think he was in for a good chance of wrong with them but the repairs are getting a bigger place as a result. carried out when reported to the contact centre.” Another mother There were complaints of a lengthy explained “I don’t feel like I get listened wait for rehousing. One participant to. It’s like you really have to kick off complained that she had “been on the before they’ll listen. When we moved was “hectic…can’t move…too small… we weren’t going to move in until it was twolist for bedrooms… five years” don’t and herseem current interested home decorated.into the house They it saidwas no,filthy. so II toldkicked them off.” [housing supplier]…two cots, two beds, one room”. Another participant said One mother felt that there is a problem “I’m trying to get a move, I’m only in with immigrants taking priority in a two bedroom house but they won’t being housed by the council: “It’s not move me. My partner has three kids that easy now to get a house here, it from a previous relationship, he has a used to be when I came here 11 years 14 year old who can’t stop over because ago but things have changed now. My he can’t stay in the same room as the cousin can’t get a house because the list INTERVIEW STUDIES | ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH REPORT | PAGE 47 INTERview study 5: wigan
Interviewee: Mother, 30 years old. “Bringing up a 0-5 year old in this area “I’m trying to get a move. I’m only in the issues raised by a participant Relationship Status: Lives with partner is crap…There is nothing to do. I’m a two bedroom house but they won’t interviewedThe following in information Bramble House reflects by a Children: Four children of 14, 11, 6, and stuck in the house all the time. There move me. My partner has three kids Wigan Council employee. The interview 1. 14 year old has always lived with her are baby groups but I don’t want to go from a previous relationship. He has a was recorded by a note-taker, also grandmother. Partner also has three there, the kids do my head in. There 14 year old who can’t stop over because from Wigan Council. As far as possible children who come to stay every Friday used to be a kids club here but it he can’t stay in the same room as the the notes below represent comments evening. Two of her children are from stopped because there was no one to girls. I want to move to Pemberton, directly made by the participant in a previous relationship and have no run it. St.Cuthberts does a gardening Norley or Worsley Hall but preferably response to questions and prompts contact with the paternal family. Two club after school. My daughter goes Norley as they have bigger houses and from the interviewer. are from the current relationship. there but I don’t know why, she never Ethnicity: White British does any gardening for me. My eldest Employment status: Mother and father does drama and cheer leading. She onI definitely the waiting don’t list. want I registered to move tooin 2006 far. both unemployed. doesn’t want to go because it’s not butI could I had be rent looking arrears at another so they five stopped years proper cheer leading, they don’t have any transfer but I have paid up the the pom-poms and costumes like they arrears now. do in America. “My partner is lazy. He can only get “I got some information from Sure agency work. He really depresses me. Start, but I won’t go because I don’t like It’s not worth him working and coming the people. The workers are alright but off the income support for one day’s I don’t like the people. One little girl screams all the time, and the parents years. don’t look after the kids properly. work. He has been out of work for five “We do our food shopping at Asda. It’s “ “I have had postnatal depression for handy but absolutely extortionate. He “ 14 years with all the kids, and all the [points at her baby] eats like a pig and support is stopping because there is no more than the 11 year old, and the girls funding. I have had a Link Worker, who eat like pigs too, so everything is always called in and looked after the children running low. It’s not an easy life living for an hour every day, but she is going round here. because the funding is going. There are a lot of people going to come crashing “We can’t go out unless we save up. The down because the support is going. The kids wanted to go to Chester Zoo so Link Worker is great because I could I’ve saved up. It took me a few weeks just talk…He [the baby] is going to do to save up and we are going at the my head in today. weekend but we are going to be short INTERVIEW STUDIES | ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH REPORT | PAGE 48
of money by the end of next week. It’s coming back. “I’ve got two children from a former about £100 with the tickets and food. relationship, two children from a “My previous partner strangled me. “On the footpath from Bramble House current relationship, three children I won’t be beaten up by a man or a “I worked for three months in the from my partner’s previous relationship woman. None of the children have pound shop in Wigan but they laid me wouldn’t send my kids to the shop after who stay every Friday… he wonders contact with him or his family even off. I’ll go back to work part time when 9pm,to Newtown they have you to find stay loads in the of street”. needles. I why I have schitz attacks! I throw him though they live locally. I was with him he goes to school. “Alcohol is a really big problem round out and he goes to live with his mum. for one year two months, but I’ve been here. If it’s nice, they start at 11am in Usually he moves out for a week. This with C… [current partner] for nine “I don’t feel safe where I live, it’s full the street, and it’s all the time. Seeing happens at least once a year, at least. years. of hooligans round here… I just got a people drinking alcohol in the street dog. He’s a pup. He’s a cross between a doesn’t affect my kids now but it will “The house is in my name and he’s not “It would be really useful to have a drop Bullmastiff and a New Foundland. You do. coming on it. I’ve not got any energy in centre to speak to people for just need a big dog to feel safe round here. to clean, the house is a shit hole at It’s for protection more than a pet, if “I want my children to be better than present. sometimes. At the doctors you need to anyone broke in, and the pet attacked makefive or an ten appointment minutes… that’s and thenall it waittakes a them, it would just be put down. school at 15 and had a child. I drum it “His mum lives at Worsley Mesnes. week to be seen, and then when you get intome, Imy want kids them – “do to you finish wanna school. end I leftup She is the one that bought the car; he there they want you out. But by then it’s “My family is not really supportive. like me? No you don’t!” I say to my six thinks it’s an eternal debt to her. She all over. We are all there for each other, if push year old –“what happens when you kiss doesn’t like me and I don’t like her but came to shove but it’s not like it used to a boy?” and she says “you have a baby, we tolerate each other for the kids. She be, but I don’t really want any friends eeewww!”. babysits her son… he’s a right mummy’s around here. But then I wouldn’t move boy. anywhere else because of my children’s “All the support is being withdrawn. schools. I was moved so many times “Right from the Start” is being “His [her partner’s] typical day starts when I was little I would never move withdrawn. I’ll really miss the key at 11pm. He drinks, then he goes on the my kids. worker. There is nothing left for me to computer, he goes to bed at some point, do. I will really miss the counselling. usually wakes up at 1pm and goes to “A typical day for me would be: get his mum’s to see if she needs anything the kids up, breakfast, get the kids to “I have been on the waiting list for doing and that’s pretty much it. school, back from school, clean up, (well four weeks to see a counsellor for I say clean up but the house is a shit cognitive counselling. It’s where they hole at the minute because I’m so tired), give you hard tasks to do that you have “Really I’m like a single parent even take the dog for a walk, kids home from to complete. But I could be waiting though I’m not. school, tea, kids go to bed… and partner anywhere up to six more months. The ” doesn’t help at all… once I’ve saved up doctor couldn’t have done much more. “He would rather me go to work and ” enough money he’s gone and he isn’t him stay in the house. HOUSING | ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH REPORT | PAGE 49 5. Housing: OLDHAM findings
Housing was described as a major A number of participants complained source of stress for many participants children’s health, they may get asthma... about the unfairness of the system for from Oldham. Interviewees were Werest sleep of the on flat: one “I mattressam worried in the about front my allocating social housing. One White quick to bring up problems of damp room; me, my wife and two children, British participant described the ‘points in their houses, and repairs that took I am scared of rolling over onto my system’ as being “stacked against us... “forever” to get done. Participants often children and hurting them”. Another they give priority to those who work described a feeling of a lack of control mother had visited the Citizens’ Advice voluntarily for the council. Because over their own homes. They felt they Bureau (CAB) to get advice about taking we work, we can’t do that”. The same had to constantly “hound” First Choice First Choice Homes to court due to family felt they also suffered as a Homes before getting a response. They the health problems her daughter was result of being a White British family: also described being prevented from experiencing, that she felt were caused “people who move into the country get acting independently, as First Choice by their damp house. the priority... people like us feel like Homes warned them against doing second class citizens – they come here repairs themselves. One White British wanting to milk the free schools and father said: “it’s going to take three NHS”. The African father (referenced weeks to repair the kitchen light, and above for living in a damp property) “It’s going to take told researchers “I have bid on other three weeks to properties, about 15 a week, but easily,it took butfive I weeks can’t because to get the I could communal get because I am on ‘standard priority’ I chargedlanding lighting for it and fixed they – sayI could it’s againstdo it so repair the kitchen have no chance”. Health & Safety”. One Pakistani mother light, and it took was disappointed by the quality of Participants also expressed frustration repairs carried out by First Choice five weeks to get the over the welfare system in relation communal landing to housing entitlements. Two of the bathroom] but they don’t do it as couples interviewed explained that properlyHomes: “they as we came would to do”. do itParticipants [fix the lighting fixed, I could they had chosen not to live together so described feeling frustrated and unable do it so easily, but I to take responsibility for their own one White British mother said: “If I let homes. can’t because I could himtheir live benefits with me,wouldn’t then I be won’t cut back.get my As
Many participants spoke of concerns get charged for it... ”. decision not to let him live with us”. for their own health and that of their benefits or my house, so I’ve made a children as a result of damp in their homes. One African father described how his whole family now slept in one room so as to avoid the damp in the INTERVIEW STUDIES | ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH REPORT | PAGE 50
Father: “It’s not easy [being off work]. I’ve been to College today to try and
got any GCSEs”. find a course but it’s hopeless…I’ve not INTERview study 6: oldham Mother: “We’ve been in this house for nine years…The houses are brilliant... If it wasn’t for Barnado’s there’d be Interviewee: Mother (28) and father nothing [to do in the area]…Coldhurst the issues raised by participants (32) Park…I wouldn’t call it a park”. interviewedThe following in information their own home reflects by Relationship Status: Married. an Oldham Council employee. The Children: Two children of eight and four “ Father: “there isn’t any swings around researchers met the couple in the street years. “ or anything, it’s boring” and were invited to interview them at Ethnicity: White British home. The interview was recorded by Time in Oldham: Both participants Mother: “I used to live in Limehouse a note-taker from thinkpublic. As far grew up in Oldham. and organise activities, but here there’s as possible the notes below represent Employment status: Father has been off nothing, only Barnado’s…[and] we take comments directly made by the work for two years with a foot injury. them swimming”. participant in response to questions Mother looks after the children full- and prompts from the interviewer. time. Father: “We have to pay for it Housing: Live in a First Choice Homes [swimming] and it’s them, people like Property in the St Mary’s Estate. H… [Asian next door neighbour] that come over to this country and get it for free. I don’t mind if it’s free or not but I think it should be fair”.
Father: “J… down the road keeps an eye out for our kids…They [Asian neighbours] don’t talk to you…I’d love it for everyone to get on”.
Mother: “The school have been really good. His [eight year old son’s] last report was really good. He goes to Holy Cross”. INTERVIEW STUDIES | ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH REPORT | PAGE 51
Father: “I’ve been back on Job Seekers leaking I rang up [First Choice Homes] sunny] the kids go out and play, and we where everybody joins in, but now since my operation was done… Oldham and said, when it rains, it rains in my go to Oldham Edge in the car for a walk. nobody join’s in”. Royal discharged me at work. They house… it took them seven months to But once you have done it 20 times, told me that it was recovered, and I they get a bit bored”. was okay to go back to work, but it just snapped straight away… My old job are Mother:fix it… you “They have [the to hound children] them”. are always Father: “There is trouble round here holding me a post until I have the sign nagging for stuff. He wants a Nintendo because of the druggies…They appear off from the doctor, but they can’t tell DS, but we just can’t afford it… We’re from nowhere, as people you haven’t me how long that will be … I worked my going on holiday…We can’t wait; we seen before, but then before you know way up to a supervisor”. have been saving up for a year. It’s all it they have gone again”. inclusive, with a water park. They are Mother:“I went back to work [after I going to love it”. Mother: “I’ve put a complaint in about had my children]. I really enjoyed it, but all the dog poo and they told me to take it got harder and harder to pick the kids Father: “We get DLA for L… [four year a photograph of it. I called them and up… And if we had to get a childminder old who has a hearing impairment], said “you get paid for it, you do it”. I see ” in then what’s the point? It would be that’s really helped.” the people that are doing it, but I’m not ” too expensive” going to go around and be the spy”. Mother: “[The highlight of being a Mother: “We used to have family parent], it’s watching them grow up”. Father: “There was a politician that around, but my grandma has moved to came to H…’s [next door neighbour’s]. Blackpool…Other family members have Mother: “The hardest times were when Everybody [from the Asian community] moved away, or gone to prison”. C… [the eight year old] was younger… was in there. I asked if I could go in, he was very clingy me, and wouldn’t but they wouldn’t let me…They told settle with his father…I used to go out me they wanted all the whites off the was lots of White families. Now they when he got home after work and sit street… I’d love it for everybody to get Father: “When we first moved there on the bench at the end of the street so on. This separation is how riots start, they won’t talk to us, we’ve tried... Next that I could get some space. He was the and I don’t want my children growing doorare filling are alright, it up with because Asian we families. have got Now devil…I used to call the Health Visitor up with that… We’ve got African, and to know each other a bit, and they are up, she used to come over for a brew Chinese people down our street. We all right next door… but a lot of them won’t get on, but they never join us… Maybe even open their doors to us. My concern that’s part of their culture, but I don’t is why are there only Asian families? Mother:when it was“I love difficult”. living here because the like things going on in peoples homes. Her sister is in Failsworth and she is park is so close… You can get anywhere I told them, if you’ve got something to desperate to get somewhere here”. on the bus. We need a park.” say to me, then just say it.”
Mother: “When our window was Mother: “On days like this [when it’s Father: “We used to have street parties EMPLOYMENT AND INCOME | ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH REPORT | PAGE 52 | ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH REPORT | PAGE 52
employment and income employment noun
1 the state of having paid work: a fall in the numbers in full-time employment the action of giving work to someone. [count noun] a person’s trade or profession.
2 the utilization of something: economies can be made by the full employment of existing facilities.
Source: Oxford University Press EMPLOYMENT AND INCOME | ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH REPORT | PAGE 53 6. Employment and Income: WIGAN findings
We discussed the issue of employment response was typical: “I don’t work, I did want to go back to college, but I with 43 participants. 19 of these he [my partner] works at ASDA…when think I’m too old now, I’m 30! I want participants were in relationships he [my son] goes to school I will look to go back to picking and packing, but where the father or male partner was for somewhere to work…I used to I want shift hours, to bring enough the sole breadwinner. Of the remaining pack pharmaceutical drugs”. She had money in to support the family. Picking “I don’t understand participants, four were in relationships previously attempted to return to work and packing is the only thing I know how people where both partners worked, eight but said: “I didn’t like it …I [now] put that pays enough”. were single mothers who did not work all my work into him [my son]…I don’t work and pay and eight were in relationships where understand how people work and pay neither partner worked, two were in for childcare…I don’t want him to be for childcare… I relationships where the mother was brought up by strangers’”. toParticipants returning frequentlyto work. One identified mother a don’t want him to the sole breadwinner, and two were lack of personal confidence as a barrier mothers that volunteered at Children’s Mothers often mentioned a lack of in her ability to work since she became be brought up by Centres. Amongst participants who affordable childcare options as a adescribed mother: how“I was she born had in lost Glasgow confidence but strangers” worked, most worked in low skilled and I moved here when I was 12. I used to manual occupations. employment. For some, childcare love drama when I was at school, I was providedsignificant by barrier families to playedreturning a key to role always in the top set, but then I came As the majority of participants were in enabling a return to work : “When here and there was nothing. I used mothers perceptions of work were I go back to work, the in-laws will to love childcare too… I’ve got lots of predominantly expressed from the have him, they had A [her son] when interests, but cos I’ve been out of work Two mothers described how they were female perspective. Many female I started going back to work before as for so long now, I don’t know…I’ve got participants were not currently well. My mother in law used to go to by volunteering at Children’s Centres: working and were perceived by Sure Start with A”. However, for other I don’t know, I just chat to my friends “I’vebuilding helped their out confidence on reception and here skills and researchers as being proud of being participants, parents and other family insteadconfidence, [of getting I’d chat a to job]”. anyone me, but…. I have also joined the parental forum ‘full-time mums’. A number of mothers members were unable to provide this so we can say what we like or don’t did, however, express a desire to return support because they themselves Some participants described how they like, or what we want. It’s really good. to work once the children were at worked. felt that getting back to work would It gets me out. I’d be at home on my school. When expressing this desire own otherwise... I’d like to go back into Another single mother spoke of how their feeling of independence. One childcare. But I know I haven’t worked she felt her employment options were motherincrease who their worked confidence as a paralegaland restore said: in so long, that’s why I’m volunteering”. thethey importance identified various of a mother factors spending that limited to factory shift work because of “I don’t want to think that I’m never Another mother had successfully timemade with this herdifficult, children, including the challenges a belief in going to use my brain again…for my returned to work through volunteering: around her parental responsibilities: own ambition and self satisfaction…and “I started as a volunteer here at West childcare arrangements, and the loss “Ithe used need to for work employment full-time in to a fit factory flexibly for the girls [her children] to see me Field and now I work here. I want to of finding flexible employment and doing picking and packing… I want to being at work and not just a housewife”. help other mums, I love helping other go back to work when they’re at school. mums. My boss tells me that sometimes of personal confidence in their ability to find and sustain work. This mother’s EMPLOYMENT AND INCOME | ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH REPORT | PAGE 54 6. Employment and Income: WIGAN findings
I do too much but it’s because I want at Asda, its handy but absolutely to afford treats and leisure activities from a previous relationship said: “It’s to help people. They are open with me extortionate, [points to baby] and he for the children. One mother said: “We an uphill battle paying for the gas. My because of the way I am”. She told us eats like a pig and more than the 11 can’t go out unless we save up. The girlfriend’s ex put his name on the bills year old, and the girls eat like pigs too, kids wanted to go to Chester Zoo, so and then he ran up a massive bill. We’re so everything is always running low, I’ve saved up. It took me a few weeks to having to pay it back. So if we put £30 asabout though how I workinglost my identity. had benefitted I was just her it’s not an easy life living round here”. save up and we can go at the weekend on a week, they take £20”. Another knownconfidence: as ‘mum’. “When Now I had that my I worktwins, I’ve I felt One mother told us: “I want to get back but we are going to be short of money mother described how she was unable got my name back. People know me for into work. My husband is a manager by the end of next week. It’s about £100 to get a council property due to a debt being me”. for McDonalds. We manage alright on with the tickets and food”. on a previous house caused by her one income but we have to organise ex-partner vandalising it. She was now One Turkish father described how his ourselves... we watch what we spend. Budgeting was described by some as living further away from the rest of her general perception was that people We live on £15,000. We get what we can key to a comfortable life. One mother family in private rented accommodation in Wigan and England in general had afford, not what we want”. who had grown up in a wealthy and suffering from serious anxiety. “lost the desire to work, and lost the village outside of Wigan told us: “A lot plot to encourage children [about] the of young people don’t know how to importance of working”. Both he and “A lot of young budget. It took me four years to learn his wife were employed in shift work how to budget… no one teaches you and shared childcare. He described his people don’t know how to budget, it needs to be on the concern when his daughter asked him curriculum”. Another mother talked “can we not spend time as a family?”. how to budget. proudly about her partner’s ability to His response was: ““England has It took me four save money: “He’s a proper saver- I become soft... I don’t want my kids to call him skinny, tight. But he gives me think it is OK not to work”. years to learn how anything I want within reason. He’ll to budget… no compare prices of nappies and fabric Budgeting and Personal Finance conditioner. I’ve known him for 20 one teaches you years- I knew he had a good head on The majority of participants described how to budget, it him. He knows what he’s doing and he’s money as a key concern for their family a good dad. But I never knew he was but said that they were “managing”. needs to be on the like that with money”. She spoke of how Some participants mentioned noticing curriculum”. he had been able to buy her a “mini that gas and electric bills had risen mansion” as a result. children was an expensive task. Two participants said they were Participantssignificantly describedand that supporting having to bearing the burden of debt created Some participants mentioned having be very careful with their money to by an ex-partner. One father who was survive: “We do our food shopping also carer for his partner’s children to sacrifice things they needed in order EMPLOYMENT AND INCOME | ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH REPORT | PAGE 55 6. Employment and Income: OLDHAM findings
Of the 42 participants interviewed two children told researchers: “I went most aren’t suitable”. purchases: “I pay £35 p/m. I can just in Oldham, 19 were in relationships back to work, I really enjoyed it, but it cope with it”. got harder and harder to pick the kids where both partners were working, up. And if we had to get a childminder Budgeting sevenwhere were just the single father mums was and working, were notfive in then what’s the point? It would be working and, one was in a relationship too expensive”. Another White British Participants generally expressed where neither partner was working, mother told us: “I didn’t want to quit “It would get them to and two were prevented from working work, I love work, but it left me with “a struggle” but felt “we survive”, as due to their immigration status. about £40 a month”. Motivations for expressedtheir financial by one situation Bangladeshi in terms father. of see that you have to returning to work included greater It was recognised by many that work get up and get out to Some participants demonstrated a self-reliance and to be a positive role opportunities were dwindling and, real dedication to working. One White for their children. One Chinese mother at the same time, the cost of living earn money, and you British father who was currently said her main goal in life was to be was rising. As another Bangladeshi can’t just stay in and working in a foundry, told researchers: able to “depend on ourselves. I want to father put it: “Money at the moment “I’ve been made redundant nine times work, I don’t want so much depending is a problem- spending has gone very rely on other people but normally only been out of work for on the government”. Another said, “It high in everything. Cooking oil used to for money”. a couple of weeks – I go out canvassing”. would get them to see that you have to be 60p per litre and now costs £1.20. Another father responded to being get up and get out to earn money, and Petrol costs £1.34. It does affect our made redundant by setting up his own you can’t just stay in and rely on other daily life, but we manage”. business as a self-employed joiner. people for money”.
Amongst the Bangladeshi participants, Some participants spoke of the Job as a core skill for managing family many fathers were employed in life.Many One identified White British careful single budgeting mother restaurants or food shops, often to when looking for a job but rarely who had been unemployed since the working shifts at night. One describedCentre as being it leading the first to employment. place to go Bangladeshi father who had moved to One single mother had a particularly with bills and all that and make sure the area to run a shop told us: “they negative perception: “the way they theybirth [her of her six first children] child said: have “Ithe manage best [the Bangladeshi community] are very speak to you, they think you are stupid trainers and clothes. But they know poor...Many work in take-aways and ...[they are] rubbish, not worth it... they can’t have treats because there are restaurants...due to discrimination in I was told I would be better off on six of them now, but they understand. the mainstream labour market”. I don’t want anything for me, I don’t to work...People like us get bad press, need anything. Everything I buy goes For mothers who did express a desire andbenefit, the majorityand I was of telling us want her to I wantedwork”. into the house, it doesn’t bother me”. One White British father said of the Job Another White British single mother a barrier. One White British mother Centre “[they are] a complete scam as talked about using a ‘weekly payment whoto work, lived childcare with her was partner identified and their as store’ to manage the costs of household
you can print off five jobs and go – and ASPIRATIONS | ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH REPORT | PAGE 56 | ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH REPORT | PAGE 56
aspirations aspiration noun
1 (usually aspirations) a hope or ambition of achieving something.
Source: Oxford University Press ASPIRATIONS | ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH REPORT | PAGE 57 7. aspirations: WIGAN findings
The most common aspirations Wigan Participants spoke of their desire is that going to go? My only income and personal connections, rather than participants expressed were to have for their children to obtain better is from my university loan and child academic achievement: “I’ve already got “happy children” and a “bigger house”. One mother told us if she could wave themselves had. One single mother who university funding] and with a child in down the road from me. My little sister a magic wand and change anything in qualifications and better jobs than they needbenefit… of some There’s certainty”. no definite [regarding andhim brotherdown for went Westfield there, School-so they it’sjust just her life: “I would have a new house in currently a full-time mum said: “I want said ‘bring him here, we’ll have all the Leigh… with a big garden”. Another thehad childrena hairdressing to grow qualification up with a good but wasjob Although parents expressed a desire family!’ So I decided to put him there”. father said his hopes for the future were for their children to gain better When asked about the performance “a nice house for me and my daughter to college and just do something with of their children’s schools, parents and enough money so I can have driving theirand qualifications... lives”. I want them to go had, some also expressed limited rarely responded with criticism. One lessons so I can take my daughter on expectationsqualifications for and their jobs children’s than they grandmother also observed that there day trips to places like Blackpool” and Some mothers expressed aspirations performance at school. For one mother, were “more grandparents picking up “have a good laugh”. her aspiration was for her children to the children than parents” after school. community. Training to become a Teachingto work in Assistant ways that was benefited a popular the option. One mother, responding to an school”.finish school: “I want my children to be initiative currently offered by Children’s better than me, I want them to finish Centres, said: “The course is free, you can’t say better than that”. This mother “I want the children “A nice house for me also shared with us her ambition to and my daughter draw upon her personal experience of to grow up with postnatal depression to support other a good job and and enough money mothers with the condition. However, so I can have driving this did not seem to be something that qualifications... I she perceived as being a real option. lessons so I can take want them to go to my daughter on day One mother we spoke to was doing a college and just do foundation course at university that trips to places like would allow her to go on to study something with their nursing. However, it looked as though lives”. Blackpool”. the cost of education would act as a barrier to further progress. She said: “It’s 9,000 pounds so I probably Parents’ views of, and engagement with, won’t do it now… I’d never be able to their children’s schools was explored pay it back. NHS are stripping back in many interviews. For many, schools bursaries. I get help with childcare but were selected on the basis of location ASPIRATIONS | ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH REPORT | PAGE 58 7. aspirations: OLDHAM findings
Many parents in Oldham expressed after their children. One mother told his son to be”. applying for school for their daughter: academic and professional aspirations us she wanted to return to training as a “when we were applying for schools for themselves and for their children. midwife, but was prevented from doing A number of parents we spoke to were we were supposed to get a letter, but Parents’ motivations were often so as she’d found out that this time critical of their children’s schools. we didn’t receive it – we found out connected to a desire to move away around she’d have to pay for it. One Bangladeshi father told us: “I’m a from the school it was the last day for from the area. One young Asian father school governor at my son’s school. I applications –and had to quickly get told us his main goals were “To get a job go to meetings and continually speak it in – if we’d had more time we could and move out of area – it’s not good for “I work in a to them. At the moment they’re getting have put in more choices and a better kids. Kids look at older people and see chance of getting her in... You don’t they’re not doing anything, so think we restaurant… I doing so well, when he started 8 years always get what you want- you can won’t do anything either”. don’t want my agovery it good had badresults. results, At first but they the school weren’t is end up taking two buses. Kids nearby now improving”. should get priority”. A number of participants were children to work in in further education themselves, Education was often discussed in terms particularly those who had come to a restaurant... he is of race. Many participants felt they England from other countries. One free to choose his had to choose between an ‘all-Asian’ or “Richmond [school] West African father told us: “I’m an ‘all-White’ school for their children. a student as well [as working full own path in life, but I No one we spoke to liked the idea of opposite is a good time and being a father], studying would like him to be keeping children segregated in that way, school but 100% accountancy at Manchester College, I but neither did they want to be the one just want to go far…As soon as I have a lawyer” to break the mould. One White British Asian, we’d rather father interviewed with his wife in a she went to St Pat’s wants to do English [ESOL] and she Tumble Tots sessions said: “Richmond wantsfinished to Ido want ticketing to get ina job…My a travel wifeagents... For some parents who felt it was too [school] opposite is a good school but nearby which is a Education...is the key to the future”. late for them to achieve themselves, 100% Asian, we’d rather she went to good mix... We don’t their ambitions were passed onto St Pat’s nearby which is a good mix... Many participants described barriers their children. A Bangladeshi father We don’t mind a mixed race school but mind a mixed race they felt were standing in the way in Coldhurst told us: “I work in a we don’t want her to be the only white school but we don’t of them realising their ambitions. A restaurant… I don’t want my children kid”. Many participants talked about the White British father who had been to work in a restaurant... he is free ‘mixing’ of the secondary schools as a want her to be the out of work for two years due to a foot to choose his own path in life, but I good thing for the community: “They’ll only white kid”. injury told us: “It’s not easy. I’ve been would like him to be a lawyer”. Another get to know each other” said a young Pakistani mother told us: “My son goes Pakistani father, “That’s the best thing I but it’s hopeless… I’ve not got any to Hulme School [private school], we think the government has done”. GCSE’s”.to college Others today feltto try blocked to find by a theircourse made that decision because his dad One White British family shared wasn’t able to be educated but he wants financial situation and having to look with us the difficulties they’d had in FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS | ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH REPORT | PAGE 59
Final Recommendations:
The following recommendations have been drawn from the research recommendations for public servicesfindings. inThey Wigan are andbroad Oldham. FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS | ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH REPORT | PAGE 60 Final Recommendations: wigan Kinship: experiencing postnatal depression. Public services should seek ways to up social networks and resilience for encourage parents to meet outside of expecting mothers. • Public services should seek to Public services should seek to formal settings. acknowledge and celebrate the further encourage fathers to play a • Support for families important• contribution grandparents positive role in family life. Social Services: and other extended family members of children with make to caring for children. Public services should seek to Social Services should seek to ensure fathers are aware of, and feel reduce the fear of Social Services taking behavioural problems: comfortable• attending, parent and children• into care by providing clearer Services to support grandparents A diagnosis of ADHD is often seen with caring responsibilities should be children’s services. This may require explanations of the criteria for family interventions. Reducing this anxiety by parents as gateway to accessing developed.• These services should equip other• support. Ethnographers felt grandparents to play an active role in around fathers’ work commitments. could result in parents being more the development of services that fit that parents pursued a diagnosis of supporting families. willing to seek help from other services preventatively rather than at the point ADHD to explain bad behaviour and so Relationships with of crisis. reduce parental responsibility. Public Services should explore ways services should encourage parents to of more closely integrating formal services: Social Services Link Workers are feel that they can get the support they support• services with informal support need without requiring diagnoses of provided through family and friendship Children’s Centres: very well regarded by some in Wigan. Social• Services should continue to behavioural problems. In response networks. For example, classes and to requests to have a child tested for The services at Children’s Centres support and promote the work of Link advice for parents could be promoted to ADHD, public services should signpost should be communicated more Workers and explore opportunities to extended family members so that they parents to parenting support and positively.• They should aim to present extend their reach amongst families can more effectively support parents advice services. themselves as places that support all who approach them for advice. families, not only for remedial support or children with severe problem. who stand to benefit the most. Health Visitors: Parenthood: Post-Natal Support: Children’s Centres should seek to Promote awareness of, and access to, Public services should seek Public services should encourage reduce anxiety over attendance by opportunities to maintain and expand parents to share their experiences of • post-natal support services. offering new routes in, such as ‘buddy • the• role of Health Visitors. Health parenthood• with children and young schemes’ or ‘bring a friend’ days. Visitors have the potential to reach people in order to raise awareness of Explore non-medical and peer-to- peer support systems for post-natal parents at a very early stage, make the realities of having a baby. Children’s Centres should be depression.• effective interventions, and make promoted as being places for everyone parents more knowledgeable about and Public services should investigate that• has parenting responsibilities, Explore preventative measures for open to engaging with other services. further options for supporting particularly fathers and grandparents. mothers• who describe themselves as post-natal depression, aiming to build • FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS | ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH REPORT | PAGE 61 Final Recommendations: wigan GPs: explore new ways of communicating understanding of debt management. the costs and transport options for Public services should support As a trusted service, GPs should accessing arts and leisure services. residents to help each other with their encourage access to other support services• as much as possible. Employment and budgeting and financial management. income: Aspirations: Sense of place: Some parents were described Public services should seek to Participants’ sense of place was as having limited involvement and knowledge• of their children’s formal working• or returning to work. and• anti-social behaviour. Explore promote mothers’ confidence in education. Public services should promote parents’ involvement in interventionsheavily influenced to address by their fear fear of ofcrime. crime Public services should seek to education. promote affordable childcare services. • Arts, Leisure and Though having high aspirations for Public services should explore and their children’s futures, some parents Culture: support peer-to-peer and community described• having low expectations of child-care• arrangements. their children’s school achievement. Many people were not aware of Public services should also seek to Public services should promote arts and leisure facilities in their increase parents’ expectations of their vicinity.• Arts and leisure providers children’s educational achievement. options.• should explore promoting their services options for flexible employment more actively to parents through other Public services should explore services such as children’s centres. psychological barriers to work and encourage• people to pursue jobs in Some residents expressed other areas. nervousness about trying new arts and leisure• services. Public services should Public services should encourage explore ways of increasing residents’ options.• events and services. employers to offer flexible employment confidence to attend arts and leisure Some participants expressed an Transport and money are perceived interest in sharing their budgeting skills as major barriers to attending arts and and• the importance of having a good leisure• services. Public services should FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS | ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH REPORT | PAGE 62 Final Recommendations: OLDHAM Kinship: Relationships with Disability support services: Sense of place:
Public services should support and services: Oldham is perceived by many as promote opportunities for residents get a diagnosis. Public services should Children’s Centres: • Parents feel that they have to fight to a place in which many people are to• meet and develop social ties with seek to better support parents through transient• and not living there by choice. people of all backgrounds in their local the process of applying for support. Those who attend Children’s Centres Public services should seek to support area. This could include promoting GPs Services: events and activities that encourage should• be encouraged to promote use pride and the feeling of shared by this report as being particularly offind the them centres very to useful- others. those people belonging. isolated.existing services It could alsoto groups involve identified As a trusted service, GPs should supporting the development of new encourage access to other support Post-Natal Support: • Racial tension is a concern for many community social initiatives. services as much as possible. residents. Many residents expressed Promote awareness of, and access to, a• wish for better integration. Public Public services should promote Health Visitors: post-natal support services. services should promote activities that opportunities for people from different Explore• non-medical and peer-to- bring together people from different backgrounds• to meet and develop social Public services should seek peer support systems for post-natal backgrounds in safe environments. ties. opportunities to maintain and expand depression. the• role of Health Visitors. Health Public services should seek to Public services should promote Visitors have the potential to reach Explore preventative measures for promote opportunities for asylum opportunities for asylum seekers to parents at a very early stage, make post-natal depression, aiming to build seekers• to become involved in the local participate• in local community life. effective interventions, and make up• social networks and resilience for parents more knowledgeable about and community. expecting mothers. open to engaging with other services. Parenthood: Participants’ sense of place was Some parents were reluctant to Arts and leisure services: Public services should investigate access the service because it would and• anti-social behaviour. Explore improvements to access to childcare be• an admission of failure. Post-natal Some participants felt that arts interventionsheavily influenced to address by their fear fear of ofcrime. crime support.• support services should promote and leisure services were not well themselves as a mainstream and publicised.• Arts and leisure providers Housing: Public services should investigate popular support service. should explore promoting their services ways of reducing social isolation more actively to parents through other There is a perception amongst amongst• parents of young children. services such as children’s centres. some people in Oldham that the council’s• housing allocation policy Public Services should seek to gives preferential treatment to non- provide more parks and open spaces to white residents. Housing services families• across Oldham. | ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH REPORT | PAGE 63 Final Recommendations: OLDHAM should provide easy to understand Public services should encourage and transparent information about the housing allocation policy. options.• employers to offer flexible employment Slow repair services and restrictions Some participants expressed an preventing them from maintaining their interest in sharing their budgeting skills own• homes make some residents feel and• the importance of having a good disempowered. Explore opportunities understanding of debt management. for social housing residents to improve Public services should support and maintain their own properties. residents to help each other with their
Employment and budgeting and financial management. income: Aspirations: Public services should seek to Participants often connected their • failed aspirations with living in Oldham. working or returning to work. • promote mothers’ confidence in Public services should promote the idea that successful people do live in Public services should seek to Oldham. promote affordable childcare services. • Public services should explore and support peer-to-peer and community child-care• arrangements.
Public services should promote options.• options for flexible employment Public services should explore psychological barriers to work and encourage• people to pursue jobs in other areas.