Foster Parents Who Adopt

Literature Review

Introduction

The literature review deals with the major aspects of considering the role of foster parents and adoptive parents. The issue of adoptive and foster care is a very delicate and multidimensional one, as it involves the adoption of children who may have never known their parents, or may have suffered abuse and negligence, thus having a psychological or emotional trauma and stress (Arnold & Sedahlia 1998). People who want to become foster parents have to consider a great number of issues connected with understanding the role of foster and adoptive parents, the role of foster care in the lives of children who felt deprived and abused through the major portion of their life etc.

The concept of adoptive parenthood and foster care is discussed in detail in the present paper, since it involves many concepts to understand by prospective adoptive parents. The present paper discuses the very notion of adoption that encompasses a much wider array of notions other than simply giving the child shelter, food, name, and up-bringing. It is a much larger phenomenon that obliges adoptive parents to perform functions similar to the native parents, and also includes the realization of adopted children’s vulnerability and stress.

The discussion is continued with the provision of information on the existing foster care centers and programs, their functions and contribution to the enhancement of foster care in various countries. The role of foster care centers as the crucial links between parents wishing to adopt a child and homeless children is assessed as an exceptionally high one. However, the discussion of foster care and adoptive functions of parents is not limited to positive features of providing the spiritual and emotional comfort, care, and consideration – there is also a number of challenges adoptive parents may face when dealing with the adopted child, and a set of skills perspective parents should develop to succeed in building a...