http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/08/26/different-like-you-angela-foster-kid_n_5716585.html
This article highlights Angela who is a teenager in foster care. Often times we always hear about the bad stuff that happens in foster care and not the good stuff. Angela is a teenager in foster care which is difficult at times. Teenage years are some of the most difficult years but imagine those years in foster care. A teenager in foster care does not get the same luxuries as "regular teenagers". You have to ask permission from your case worker to have a friend over or even go to friends house. Also you do not get to have your drivers license. But what I think as professionals we need to remind ourselves is that even though children are in foster care they are still children and do not look at them different or treat them different.
I agree with your post 100%. I feel that a lot of the time youth who are in foster care are treated differently and there is not enough attention given to them as "typical" teens just like the rest of their peers. I think many people don't take into account what those in foster care endure and how they persevere through what they go through with a facade of everything being okay.
ReplyDeleteI agree! This is a great article not only for us as social workers but other kids in foster care to see that it is not all bad. Also to see that it can, and does get better!
ReplyDeleteI loved reading this story and the points you drew out about it, Mary. Angela's story really helped to normalize the foster care experience in relation to that of other teenagers.
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