Foster Care Research Paper

Foster care is a complex topic. Most people do not fully understand what foster care is. David Pelzer, a foster child and author, says that he is always grateful to “The System,” which a myriad in society criticize (Pelzer 305). “Children aged birth to twenty-one may need foster care for just a few days, or may be in placement for longer than a year” (www.fostercare.com). Education should be brought to the public about foster care, what it is like, and how to help. There is more to foster care than most people think. Foster care is, according to the National Adoption Center, “...a temporary arrangement in which adults provide for the care of a child or children whose birth parent is unable to care for them” (www.adopt.org). Foster care is

Good foster parents are unbiased, patient, trustworthy, and willing. Flexibility, tolerance, and teamwork are other important qualities (www.fostercare.com). Also, “Foster parents must be at least twenty-one years old, pass background clearances, and be in good physical health” (www.fostercare.com). Countless people who wish to be foster parents believe that they have no choice as to what kind of child lives in their home. Actually, foster parents do have a choice on what kind of child is sent to live in their home (thechildrenarewaiting.org). Some people who want to be foster parents also believe that they must provide medical insurance for the children. Foster parents actually do not have to pay for any treatment besides household remedies (thechildrenarewaiting.org). A similar way to help is to be a respite worker. “Respite care workers provide parents and other caregivers with short-term child care services that offer temporary relief, improve family stability, and reduce the risk of abuse or neglect” (www.adoptuskids.org). Foster parents and respite workers are most commonly thought of when the topic of foster care comes

However, it is deeply necessary. Pelzer has said that “The System” is not perfect and never will be. The demands of society are too great. Scores of people look to “The System” and demand that they solve our problems immediately (Pelzer 313). He also says, “By investing in our ‘youth at risk’ today, does society not stand a better chance of a ‘higher yield’ tomorrow--an adult serving our community rather than rotting away in some jail?” (Pelzer 313). Foster care can help children learn and grow. “ [Foster] children may not be able to learn at the same rate as their peers and they may struggle with emotional difficulties” (thechildrenarewaiting.org). Foster children can be incredibly resilient, or they could just give up. Concerning Pelzer, one of his foster mothers said, “...he took it upon himself to carve out his future. Many foster children do not have the motivation” (Pelzer 317). Foster care, though a complex topic, is worth learning about and