The role of unrecognized ambivalence: the mirroring of family conflicts within the professional and legal network.
This paper raises some questions about the deleterious effects of unrecognized (unconscious) ambivalence running through child care systems, the Children Act and the adversarial legal system. It is postulated that unrecognized ambivalence may become one of the powerful unconscious dynamics contributing to the mirroring of the family conflicts within the professional network. A detailed clinical example, in which we acted as expert witnesses within a child psychiatry hospital team, is used to illustrate how the denial of ambivalence in a highly complex case, that of a large family involved in care proceedings, led to a state of polarization between the family and a team of professionals which was replicated and amplified within the wider welfare and legal system. It is our view that a state of polarization is likely to produce 'all or nothing decisions' which may not be in the best interest of both children and parents. It is argued that the adversarial nature of the legal process and some underlying assumptions in the Children Act, may contribute to ambivalence being unrecognized. Then it is suggested that ambivalence is inevitable both for professionals and families, particularly in highly complex cases, but with its recognition, a resolution may take place. The conclusions contain some suggestions to promote this process.
Etchegoyen
A
A
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and Child and Family Consultation Service, London, UK.
Adams
M
M
D000328:Adult; D001290:Attitude; D002648:Child; D002654:Child Care / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D002655:Child Custody; D002669:Child Welfare / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D005195:Family Relations; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D012947:Social Work; D006113:United Kingdom