Common Myths About Foster Care
There are many things about the foster care system that some people might be unaware of or have prior misconceptions about. Foster care hasn’t always had the best reputation because of the
media and some of the awful headlines that go along with it. It is important to avoid making false assumptions about those involved in the foster care system and educate yourself on what is myth and what is fact. Below are a few common myths debunked.
Myth: Children end up in foster care because they are “too bad”.
Many people believe that children end up in foster care because of their own childhood delinquency or because they are “too bad”, however, most children enter foster care because of neglect and abuse. In Wisconsin, there are roughly 7,000 children in the foster care system at any given time. In 2022, 65% was because of neglect, 11% due to physical abuse and 3% due to sexual abuse. Foster care is not a punishment for “bad” children. There are no “bad children”. Foster care is used to help children find a safe, loving and supportive environment until they can return home or find permanency in another way.
Myth: The goal of foster care is adoption.
Foster care is a temporary solution for biological parents to resolve any safety concerns and any issues that may be harmful to the child. Foster care is meant to be a short-term option. The overall goal of foster care is reunification. Reunification is when the child returns home to their parent(s). Some people may be deterred from the temporary aspect of foster care and the fear of getting too attached. Don’t let a fear of attachment deter you. It is important for these children to form appropriate and safe attachments, even if it is just temporarily.
Myth: Foster parents only do it for the money.
This is simply not true and unfortunately, wildly reported and believed. Foster parents need to be financially stable and must show that they can meet their financial obligations as a household. The payments that foster parents receive are called stipends. Stipends are used to reimburse the foster parents for the child’s basic needs.
Myth: You need to be a heterosexual, married couple to become foster parents.
All families come with different family and home dynamics. There are no marital requirements to be a foster parent. Foster parents can be single, married, or divorced. Sexual orientation does not disqualify you from becoming foster parents. We welcome and appreciate diversity and what different parenting dynamics can offer.
As you can see there are several myths about foster care that could cause some individuals to have a negative view of the foster care system or to be hesitant about becoming a foster parent. These are only a few of the many misconceptions about the foster care system. Be sure to continue your learning and learn more about the many foster care myths out there. Take what you learn and share it with those around you!
Additional Resources:
18 Common MYTHS about foster care | Foster Care
The Ultimate Myth-Busting Guide to Foster Care – Fostering Families Today
Wisconsin Out-of-Home Care (OHC) Report, DCF-P-5692
Debunking Foster Care Myths | Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition (foster-adopt.org)
Written by Family Works Social Worker Samantha Ross
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