Foster Care

Foster Care

      Let me just start off with a general quote describing foster care, “foster care provides children with an alternative to living in an unsafe environment. It is a system in which a minor is placed either with a relative, foster parent, or a close family friend as a substitute for a child’s unsuitable living situation” (Transitions Children’s Services). Knowing that, I will explain the process needed in order to become a foster parent, common misconceptions, and the effect on both foster child and parent. Before going through the process of being a foster parent it is important to keep in mind these ten myths that you may have believed about the foster care system in the past.

      Myth number one, “Most children in foster care have dozens of placements” (AdoptUSKids), no, in fact on average each child has a number of three placements. Number two, “the racial background of most children in foster care is…” (AdoptUSKids), the races in a foster care are often quite diverse, “Approximately 41% of children in foster care are white, 27% are Black, 21% are Hispanic, and the remaining 8% are multiracial” (AdoptUSKids). Number three, “ Most children in foster care are teenagers” (AdoptUSKids), the actual average age of kids in the system are 10. Number four, “I have no control over which children I’m asked to foster” (AdoptUSKids), you can’t specifically say I want a blonde hair, blue eyed, boy, about 5. You are however allowed to choose the gender you prefer, the age range, and if you get the call that there is a 10 year old girl in need, then you always have the option to say no if that doesn't fit with your household. Number five, “Each foster child has to have a room of their own” (AdoptUSKids), correction, each child must have a bed of their own, not specifically a room of their own unless behavioral issues imply so. Number six, “I can’t foster if I have a full time job outside of home” (AdoptUSKids), there is no need to be a stay at home parent in order to foster, but if the child needs daycare you will have to cover the expense. Number seven, “As a foster parent, I will receive little to no support from the state” (AdoptUSKids), false, Medicaid covers the child's medical expenses, the foster care agency will send a monthly check to help pay for room and board, and some state agencies provide supportive services such as training and respite care. Number eight, “All children in foster care have special needs and require special education” (AdoptUSKids), though many children may have physical, mental, or emotional handicaps, the term special needs refers to children with specific factors or conditions like siblings that have to go as a pair, older children, or being part of an ethnic background. These should not be confused with those that need special education. Number nine, “Adopting or fostering a child who’s been removed from the care of their birth parents is dangerous” (AdoptUSKids), agencies and the state are very careful when dealing with any difficulties resulting in the separation of the child with their birth family, and the fostering parents. When court-ordered visits are needed, it will be decided whether supervision will be needed or not. Finally number ten, “I’m not allowed to adopt children I foster” (AdoptUSKids), it is true that if it has been decided the child can return to their birth parents that you can not adopt them, but for the 54% of children that can not return to their parents, adopting them after you have fostered them is a possibility. Now that you have cleared those myths from your mind, you can make room for the fostering process.

      The whole process from orientation to approved and licensed can take quite a bit of time, depending upon your eagerness, and the agency you are working with. Your first step is to attend a day orientation that will give you important information to confirm your decision, or to help you realize you need more time. Then you will fill out a foster parent questionnaire to see if you meet the qualifications. General requirements are: you must have compassion and the willingness to nurture a child in crisis, be 21 or over, have space in your home, have a valid drivers license and proof of auto insurance, all adults in the home must pass a fingerprint background check, complete a general health exam/TB test, must be certified in first aid and cpr, and basic water rescue training if you have a pool, spa, or pond at your home with no lifeguard. The next step is to fill out and turn in a foster parent application. Then attend 20 hours of foster/adopt training. Next you will participate in an interview for certification. Finally you need to pass a home check. From there you could wait anywhere from a few days, up to six months before receiving a foster child in need, it all depends on the needs of the child in comparison to what you offer, and location. Now comes the effect on both you and the child or children.

      Considering the initial quote, this whole system is to help these children. They are coming to you from unsuitable homes, some from abuse, and others from neglect, so their emotional standing may be poor. It is wrong to assume that any child should be automatically grateful to b e put into the foster care system. Though they may be better off later, in the initial moment they will not be sweet happy little kids. They may not understand or be confused, they are taken from their parents, their home, possibly their school, maybe pets, and other such items, and put with a complete stranger in all new room and situation. This is why many want nothing to do with being a foster parent. It is a tough task at times, they may scream at you not to touch them, don't talk to them, or that they want their mommy, but all you can do is to try your best yo be loving, comforting, and supportive. Imagine if you put yourself in their shoes, it may help you better understand where they are coming from. Negatives aside there are so many positives that far outweigh the bad or difficult. You have a chance to change a child life. It may not be a huge impact for some, but many foster children that have grown up and gone on their own have reflected back to their foster parents and been grateful for the support and care they were given, “My family and my life may have been unconventional but I’m the woman I am now- with the drive to follow my dreams and keep my heart open- because of it” relates Kaitlin Chamberlain, who got bounced around to many different homes when she was younger, but wouldn't change her life for a minute. For the parents themselves you can learn so many new things from a foster child, strength, new techniques, ways of thinking, experiences, beliefs, compassion, and understanding to name a few. Being a foster parent can be a highly rewarding personal choice for anyone willing to help those in need. You can be that change in someones life, and they can do the same for you.
      Becoming a foster parent can be a tough decision, you may encounter children with difficult emotional needs, or feel like there is just no way you can help.but keep in mind that it is a loving, and supportive presence that they need, and that you are providing. If you have that desire to be a foster parent, don't wait and expect someone else to do it instead, there are roughly half a million U.S kids in the foster care system, and only about half that of foster parents, you can make a difference. Remember the myths, take that first step, finish the process, and you can be on the road to a rewarding life.

Sources:

• http://people.howstuffworks.com/foster-care.htm 
• http://www.childrensrights.org/issues-resources/foster-care/facts-about-foster-care/ 
• http://www.transitionschildrensservices.org/foster-care.html?gclid=CMLsmv2Fxb0CFclDMgodBCQA-w 
• http://www.thebolditalic.com/articles/3360-i-grew-up-in-the-foster-care-system 
• http://adoptuskids.org/for-families/how-to-foster/common-myths-about-foster-care#multiple-placements 

Premature Births and Babies - Emily Roper

Every year in the United States, nearly 500,000 babies, that's 1 out of every 9 babies, or about 12.8% of babies born, are born prematurely, according to the CDC. An organization called Tommy's, has a set of definitions pertaining to the different levels of severity of the preterm birth.

The CDC also states that "the earlier a baby is born, the more severe his or her health problems are likely to be. Although babies born very preterm are a small percentage of all births, these very preterm infants account for a large proportion of infant deaths. More infants die from preterm-related problems than from any other single cause. Some premature babies require special care and spend weeks or months hospitalized in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Those who survive may face lifelong problems such as— intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, breathing and respiratory problems, visual problems including retinopathy of prematurity, hearing loss, feeding and digestive problems." It's been proven that "girls may also be more likely to survive very early premature birth, as are babies born in singleton vs. multiple pregnancies."

Risk Factors

According to the CDC, there are certain risk factors that play a role in whether a baby will be born preterm or not. These risk factors include: "having a previous preterm birth, on average, black women are about 50% more likely to have a premature baby compared to white women, carrying more than one baby (twins, triplets, or more), problems with the uterus or cervix, chronic health problems in the mother, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and clotting disorders, certain infections during pregnancy, cigarette smoking, alcohol use, or illicit drug use during pregnancy."

Warning Signs

The CDC also gives some warning signs to help a woman know if she is going into labor prematurely. Some of the signs are: "contractions (the abdomen tightens like a fist) every 10 minutes or more often, change in vaginal discharge (leaking fluid or bleeding from the vagina), pelvic pressure—the feeling that the baby is pushing down, low, dull backache, cramps that feel like a menstrual period, abdominal cramps with or without diarrhea."

Statistics

Length of Pregnancy	Likelihood of Survival
23 weeks	17%
24 weeks	39%
25 weeks	50%
26 weeks	80%
27 weeks	90%
28-31 weeks	90-95%
32-33 weeks	95%
34+ weeks	Almost as likely as a full-term baby
Sources: March of Dimes, Quint Boenker Preemie Survival Foundation

Out of the nearly 500,000 babies that are born prematurely, 22% will develop a severe disability, such as cerebral palsy, 24% will develop a moderate disability, such as special needs, 34% will develop a mild disiability, such as a low IQ or bad vision, and only 20% will have no problems.

Preterm Births as a Percent of All Births By State, 2010

 

Preterm Births as a % of Births:

· Lowest state: Vermont: 8.4%

· Highest State: Mississippi: 17.6%

· Lowest Territory: Guam: 18.0%

· Highest Territory: Virgin Islands: 12.7%

 

 

 

http://www.cdc.gov/features/prematurebirth/

http://www.statisticbrain.com/premature-birth-statistics/

http://miscarriage.about.com/od/pregnancyafterloss/a/prematurebirth.htm

http://www.statehealthfacts.org/comparemaptable.jsp?ind=39&cat=2

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/prematurebabies.html

http://www.tommys.org/page.aspx?pid=387

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/25/health/25stat.html?_r=0

http://www.preemiesurvival.org/info/

http://www.marchofdimes.com/baby/premature_indepth.html

http://www.miraclebabies.org.au/premature-sick-babies/what-is-prematurity/statistics/

http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs363/en/

http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/health/story/2012-05-02/CDC-preterm-premature-births/54692356/1

http://www.marchofdimes.com/peristats/pdflib/998/FL.pdf

http://americanpregnancy.org/labornbirth/prematurelabor.html

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-20583678

http://www.uri.edu/news/releases/?id=5874

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001562.htm

 

 

 

Over-Indulgence in Children; by Chelsea Hamner

Over-Indulgence in Children

Spoiling children in America has become one of the most common ways to start a child’s life off wrong. “Over indulgence is one of the most insidious forms of child abuse.” Spoiling your child is a common way of “abuse” and can lead them to a life of personal and social problems.  

Often time’s parents who spoil their children know that they are doing this yet they do nothing to stop it. “Parents tend to know that their children are spoiled but don’t do anything to prevent it.” The definition of a spoiled child varies but mainly it falls along these guidelines: getting everything they desire, over-indulged, terrible bratty behavior or they tend to push adults over the limit. “4 signs your child is spoiled: whines not cries, has frequent temper tantrums, never hears the word “no”, your child wins arguments.” At least 65% of American young adults and children are spoiled. “Spoiled children know exactly what they’re doing, they’re very manipulative.” Often parents feel guilt about something and that emotion can start this process of over-indulging their child. Children of divorce tend to be more spoiled because the two parents feel guilty or bad for their child for putting them through that situation. “Parents should demand the same positive behavior from the children they did prior to the divorce.” Another leading factor of this problem is lack of discipline. “It’s speculated that because both mothers and fathers are more commonly in the full-time workforce than ever before, they feel guilty about hiring babysitters or nannies for their children and thus won’t discipline them.” It’s up to the parents to stop spoiling their children and start becoming more like parents, rather than friends.

            Spoiling a child rarely has positive outcomes, most of the time the effects are negative. Spoiled children end to be materialistic, selfish, socially troubled and they don’t know the meaning of determination and responsibility. These children will have a rude awakening when they go into the real world and realize that not everyone will just hand them what they want. The parents often get treated badly yet don’t stop this, so the children grow to not respect people later on in life. Spoiled children don’t understand the true meaning of happiness or the meaning of appreciation the things they are given. They are never satisfied and always want more. “Refusing to hold your child accountable when he does something wrong sends the message that he never makes a mistake.” A lot of parents do this and it’s just another form of over-indulgence. Parents give the idea, by performing thus, that their child can never do anything wrong. This attitude can be crippling when they go out into real life situations.

            All parents should stop spoiling their children immediately.  “Your choice to not spoil your children will bless you with more opportunities to show them understanding and compassion and to be fully present with them as they journey toward adulthood.” Parents should practice ‘Tough Love’ on their children; it benefits both sides of this argument. Parents should teach their children good moral and ethical values early on in life. “Let them work and earn what they want when the time comes for them to go to college and enter the workforce, you will have the confidence that you have raised a child that can both enter and contribute to society confidently.” “How to stop spoiling your children: be the parent, enforce bedtime, start a chores list, give an allowance, have family meetings, talk to your kids, have family dinner, reduce hired help.”

   In conclusion, spoiling your children doesn’t positively affect either side of this argument, so why not just stop? Stop setting your child up for a future life of hardship. Stop treating them as if they are higher above the rest of the world, when in fact they are average. Stop sending them the wrong messages, and start sending them the right ones.

·         For assistance with learning more about spoiled children, how to tell if your child is spoiled, effects, or how to prevent this in your child visit these sites:

 

  http://www.totsites.com/help/baby/4-signs-your-toddler-is-spoiled.php

 http://www.professorshouse.com/Family/Children/Articles/Why-Parents-Should-Not-Spoil-Children/

  http://voices.yahoo.com/the-definition-spoiled-child-10413377.html

  http://www.drphil.com/articles/article/94

  http://www.webmd.com/parenting/features/are-your-children-spoiled

 http://www.oprah.com/relationships/Spoiled-Children

http://www.livestrong.com/article/514405-long-term-effects-of-spoiling-children/

http://www.dailyom.com/articles/2006/3596.html

Adoption

Adoption has many pros, as well as some drawbacks. Adoption touches people in different ways, depending on their perspective and roles in the individual's life. Adoption is the "social, emotional, and legal process in which children who will not be raised by their birth parents become full and permanent legal members of another family." Adoption is not a simple process, it is a lifelong commitment for everyone involved, with legal and emotional impacts.

Determining one's eligibility to adopt is based on a few different requirements. Most people are eligible to adopt, despite age, income, sexual orientation, or marital status. Also, having a disability does not necessarily disqualify a parent. And there is a "process of mutual assessment and preparation by the prospective adoptive parents and social worker or agency, called a home study." Also, foreign countries may have different/specific requirements and/or restrictions for families who want to adopt from their country. Another more specificity is often Faith-based agencies, they may make different requirements for families adopting through their agency.

There are many things families need to consider before making the decision to adopt a child. For example, many people and or couples consider adoption because of infertility issues. Before adopting a child, a person or the family needs to consider all negatives and positives involved with adoption. One way to better prepare yourself is communicating and asking questions with other families who have adopted. This helps families determine if and what type of adoption is right for their family. Some of the different types of adoption and choices to be made in adoption. are adopting children through a public agency (foster care), adopting children from other States, adopting infants through a licensed agency, independent adoption, and adopting a child from another country.

Despite the fact that all kids are different, kids who wait a long time to be adopted often share similar characteristics. These characteristics include: being part of a sibling group who needs to be placed together within a family, being an older child, being a part of a minority group, or having a disability. These children are often referred to as having "special needs" or needing "special care." However, states often define special needs differently for the children's eligibility to receive adoption assistance when adopted from the U.S. foster care system.

Despite the type of adoption or company/group/agency that assists families in the process (public agency, licensed private agency, attorney or adoption facilitator), virtually all families are required to complete the home study process before going on with the adoption. The main goal of a home study is to make sure that "each child is placed in a suitable home and that good matches are made between children and families." They also help to ensure that the possible future homes agree with/are up to State and local laws for the placement of the child/children and that parents and families are educated about adoption and have the necessary information.

Also, adoptive parents need to be aware that there are certain citations which may require an open adoption. Openness in adoption "refers to the amount of contact among birth parents and relatives, adoptive parents, and the adopted person." The amount of contact and communication may range from little or no contact; "to mediate contact through a third party, anonymous email, or post office box; to ongoing communication with shared identifying information; to occasional in-person contact, holiday visits, or regular communication and visitation" when all parties wish it to happen.

Adoption is not a simple decision, it is a lifelong process. Families often need additional support even after the adoption is finalized. Families may need services as a child develops and as "normal development, adjustment, and adoption-related issues arise." It is important that the adoptive parents know how to deal with the children along with helping them cope with grief and loss, recognize and get help for post adoption depression, find needed services, and get financial assistance.

So, despite the fact that adoption has many pros and cons, it is up to the adoptive family to ensure that the pros outweigh the cons. Adoption touches people in different ways, depending on their perspective and roles in the individual's life. It is a decision to become full and permanent legal members of another family. Adoption is not a simple process; it is a lifelong commitment for everyone involved, with legal and emotional impacts.


Sources
http://www.childsworld.ca.gov/pg1302.htm
http://www.childwelfare.gov/adoption/
http://www.adoption.org/
http://www.adoptionfacts.org/
http://www.adoptionservicesinc.com/facts.html

Corporal Punishment for children

Corporal punishment, or the inflicting of physical pain onto another person because of some offence committed, of children is a very touchy issue. Many believe that while it may make a child fear you when they are little, it will have no lasting effects. However, ever forthcoming studies show that physical punishment on children can result in problems lasting throughout the teen and adult life. Physical punishment is not only dangerous for a variety of reasons but also ineffective.

            The use of corporal punishment in any form, from spanking to using the belt, can teach children things they shouldn’t learn. If a parent uses spanking as a form of punishment, kids learn that resorting to physical methods is the way to solve problems. “Children who are physically punished are more likely to grow up approving of it and using it to settle interpersonal conflicts. Even children who have experienced ‘normal’ spankings are almost three times as likely to seriously assault a sibling, compared to children who were not physically disciplined.” That quote is from Dr. Hyman, who made that statement as part of his summary of his 30 years of experience and studying. However, can the non-use of corporal punishment decrease misbehavior? Yes, Dr. Hyman says “Studies demonstrate that eliminating corporal punishment does not increase misbehavior in home or school. Systematic use of positive alternatives, however, has been shown to decrease misbehavior significantly.”

Corporal punishment can also cause feelings of despair, confusion, anxiety, fear, and resentment. When a child is told that he/she is going to be spanked, they become extremely anxious, and even more so when it happens, so that when a parent explains why the child got spanked they are too distressed to take it in. Because of this initial anxiety, the child will experience confusion and later resentment at their parent figure. Repeated spanking can also cause fear in children, leaving them with no one to go to because they have an instilled fear of their parent figures. If a young child is repeatedly spanked, the child could be led into desperation because they don’t know what they’ve done wrong.

 

 Developmental issues can also occur with the use of physical punishment. A child may associate pain and sexual pleasure due to spanking because the butt is an erogenous zone. There may be social blocks to anyone who resembles a parent or guardian due to an instilled fear. There have been cases where children who were spanked insisted on unsafe sex habits.

Physical punishment not only causes issues, but is also ineffective. Yes, it may work “at the moment,” but punishment in a physical form becomes less and less effective with repeated use and with age. So in other words, physical punishment is less effective with more use. Not only does it become less effective, but it is ineffective in the first place. When a child is punished, they are too emotionally distressed to understand why they were punished. Therefore, physical punishment makes kids fear parents/guardians; it does not teach them what was wrong in the first place.

 

In conclusion, corporal punishment is not an acceptable form of discipline. It can instill fear in a child’s mind and cause them developmental problems due to that fear; it can teach children that violence is the best way to solve problems, and it is an ineffective form of punishment. With so many other way to teach kids and to discipline them, there is no excusable reason to ever lay a hand on a child in anger or distress. Corporal punishment is inexcusable and needs to be replaced with other forms of parenting.

Sources cited

Information

http://www.newsweek.com/2008/02/27/spare-the-rod.html

http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1926222,00.html

http://www.socialworkers.org/resources/abstracts/abstracts/physical.asp

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1983895,00.html

http://www.child-central.com/does-spanking-my-child-affects-him-when-he-grows-up.html

http://www.nospank.net/hyman2.htm

http://www.naturalchild.org/jan_hunt/tenreasons.html

http://www.ur.umich.edu/0809/Mar30_09/07.php

Pictures

http://abpworld.wordpress.com/2010/09/23/international-parental-child-abduction-a-silent-epidemic-of-kidnapping/

http://punishment.redwebmaster.com.ar/description-of-corporal-punishment.html

http://www.philosophyblog.com.au/arguments-against-corporal-punishment/