When children grow up without a safe, loving home, they are more susceptible to long-term consequences. Although many children in foster care may face some of these consequences, there are still a lot of myths about foster care and adoption that just are not
When children grow up without a safe, loving home, they are more susceptible to long-term consequences. Although many children in foster care may face some of these consequences, there are still a lot of myths about foster care and adoption that just are not true. Here are some of the myths and facts about foster care and adoption.
Myth: Most children in foster care have dozens of placements.
The truth is that the average number of placements per foster child is around three. There are many reasons that children get placed in different foster homes. Some of the reasons may include:
Location of the child’s biological parents
The foster parents cannot take care of the child any longer
Reuniting the child with his or her siblings
Myth: Most children in foster care are teenagers.
Although there are teenagers in foster care only 38% of foster children are teenagers. 62% of children in foster care are under the age of 10.
Myth: Foster parents will not have any control over which children they foster.
This is also untrue. Although you will not be able to specifically choose the child you foster you are able to choose the age and gender that you prefer. You are also able to call the social worker at any time if you feel that you are not able to provide for the child you get placed with. One of the biggest reasons a foster child would move to a different home is because the foster parent is no longer able or willing to take care of the foster child.
Myth: I cannot foster if I have a full-time job.
You do not have to be a stay at home parent in order to foster a child.