Foster Children

Paper Summary:

The paper explores the history of US foster care and explains that the concept of foster care has existed for centuries. The paper discusses how today there are numerous safeguards to protect children from abuse and neglect by their parents, as well as from foster families. The paper relates that the exact psychological toll on foster children is unknown, yet it is known to exist. The paper suggests that older children may suffer more than younger foster children because older foster children have had a longer relationship with the birth family.

From the Paper:

"During the 1600's, with no social welfare program established, children in the American colonies were typically viewed as assets who could help with the household income, while orphaned, poor, or illegitimate children were usually farmed out as indentured apprentices to learn a working trade (History). In the 18th and 19th centuries, abandoned and orphaned children were sent to publicly funded shelters, called almshouses, and from there, they were typically claimed by relatives or strangers for use as household servants (History). During this era, these 'foster parents' received public funding, however there were no checks and balances to ensure the children were being cared for properly (History). "

Sample of Sources Used:

• Fisher, Philip A. (2005 April 01). Developmental, cognitive, and neuropsychological functioning in preschool-aged foster children: associations with prior maltreatment and placement history. Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics. Retrieved June 30 2006 from HighBeam Research Library.
• Fostering and Foster Care. The Adoption History Project. Retrieved June 30 2006 from:http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/~adoption/topics/fostering.htm
• A History of Foster Care. Retrieved June 30 2006 from: http://www.sacbee.com/static/archive/news/projects/foster/timeline.html
• Pfeiffer, Steven I. (1997 May 01). Effectiveness of treatment foster care with children and adolescents: a review of outcome studies. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Retrieved June 30 2006 from HighBeam Research Library.
• Spitznagel, Edward L. (2005 January 01). Prevalence of psychiatric disorders among older youths in the foster care system. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Retrieved June 30 2006 from HighBeam Research Library.

More papers on Foster Children:

• Term Paper # 120716 : "Foster Children in Transition"
• Persuasive Essay # 135632 : "Child Poverty and Foster Care in Ontario"
• Analytical Essay # 140734 : "African-American Children in the Foster Care System"

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