Foster Care & Myths: #1 - Kids Are In Care Because They Are Bad Kids.

Over the next several weeks I plan to do a series of articles and videos on the subject of foster care and myths. The series of short articles explore some of the various impressions and perspectives people have about foster care that are not accurate. My hope is to provide better information around the truth surrounding foster care. One expert that I reference is Dr. John DeGarmo. His further information on this subject can be found on his website and article on the 8-Myths of Foster Parenting.

Jumping right into this series, I want to hit the first topic regarding one of the most significant myths around foster care. I’ve heard many times that people believe that children are in foster care because they are bad kids. This is a myth.

Headlines do not help us especially when it comes to foster care. Many headlines are written because it is a topic of controversy and sensational headlines sell papers. Case and point, often there are assumptions but just because a child acts out badly it is not the result of being in foster care or the fault of foster parents. This could not be farthest from the truth.

Just because there are cases, though isolated, that children in foster care or headline stories of bad things that happen, this does not prove the assumption that bad kids are in foster care. Case-in-point was a mid-2000 report that discovered through the Justice Department that 70% of those in human trafficking have been in foster care. What makes this headline startling is that kids who age out of foster care may turn to sex trafficking or become victims of abuse later in life. We cannot draw the assumption that foster care is contributing badly to human trafficking but we can get an understanding that they are vulnerable to become victims because of the lack of support as a contributing factor.

The truth is that the majority of children and teens that are in foster care are removed from their natural parent or guardian home at no fault of their own. It is because of neglect and abuse of a parents or drug use in the home that state agencies are forced to step in to intervene on behalf of children and youth. Furthermore, children who have been in traumatic situations do not have the coping skills to deal with such "normal" family systems and circumstances.

Many articles substantiate the truth of the victimization of children who often are placed outside the home and a foster home, group home, or shelter facility. Consider the following article: AAP News Gateway: Developmental Issues for Young Children in Foster Care.

Often it is teenagers that share the biggest blame of the stereotype. Many people doing foster care prefer not to take teens because of the fear that they may themselves abuse others. Children in foster care who are teenagers are disproportionately stereotype but this is not accurate. Many teenagers are well-adjusted and responsible young people and are simply looking for permanence and structure in their lives.

Foster homes are a place of refuge for children and youth who have been abused. Foster parents often carry the heavy load of medical needs, psychological needs, and physical needs due to a negative experience in the home of their parent / guardian. Of course children act out and deal with the difficulties associated with their abuse or neglect but they are indeed victims. Yet, it is foster care, through services that begin the healing process for children and youth.

MYTH #2 Click Here.