LAUSR

ABSTRACT Norway is a comprehensive welfare state. While these types of systems are considered attractive for supporting families, tight control of familial life and members might go with them. It is important to understand how different parents perceive and interpret interventions and measures aimed at improving their lives. This paper explores immigrant parents’ perceptions of the welfare system and examines the types of control they perceive in their parenting through involvement with Child Welfare Services (CWS) and other welfare institutions. The study draws data from interviews with 15 immigrant families, 10 of which had contact with CWS and 5 that were not involved with CWS. In our analysis, we argue that immigrant families feel disempowered through their interactions with the welfare system, which they perceive to be controlling through excessive surveillance of immigrant parents parenting practices. We argue that perceptions of CWS are not only derived from direct interaction with the services, but also from interactions with other welfare institutions and the broader society.