This article discusses the role of social recognition for biological mothers whose minor child is placed in State care under the Youth Protection Act (YPA) until the child reaches the age of majority. Few studies have examined how child placement affects the relationship-with-self of biological mothers; that is, the value they place on themselves as human beings. The results of this empirical study are based on 26 interviews with 14 mothers using thematic narrative methods. Using social recognition theory (Honneth 2000, Renault 2004), this article highlights the diversity of processes that are activated and that lead to either a confirmed, weakened, inverted or broken relationship-with-self following the placement of a child with State youth protection services.