Date of Award

Spring 5-1999

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Honors College

First Advisor

Audrey Sistler

Second Advisor

Joyce W. O'Rourke

Third Advisor

Beverly Wade

Abstract

This paper examines the perspectives of foster parents on their role in the lives of their foster children, with emphasis on the laws, Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act of 1980 that govern the foster care/adoption system. This paper will present different views, both good and bad, of adoptive and non adoptive foster parents: the experiences, emotions, and feelings they experience in wanting to be a permanent parent and placement for their foster child /children, when they are unable due to various circumstances. Five foster parents were interviewed. Results showed that foster parents are satisfied but it is due to their foster children. They all felt that they needed a bigger part in planning in the lives of their foster children. The majority stated they became foster parents and remain because ofthe needs of the children and the desire to make a difference.

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