Believers and Our Role in Foster Care
I don’t need to tell you the system is broken.
I think that is one thing we can all agree on regardless of our political or religious views.
We all know it’s broken.
As of September 30, 2020 there were 407,493 children in foster care.
You’ve probably seen this stat circling the internet lately.
In 2019, there were 426,566.
I don’t say that to say “look things aren’t so bad!” Because read that number again, 426,566. That’s the number of kids (ages 0-20) that are in foster care. That’s 426,566 too many. That’s bad.
But it is also important to realize that there are people out there trying to make a difference, and while it is easy to say and point out people who claim they are pro-life, but are actually pro-birth, there are indeed MANY people out there who are truly pro-life. And they are making a difference with their actions both with children and expecting mothers as well as far beyond the womb.
The problem is, there aren’t enough of those people.
The Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS) has some information if you like statistics. Whether you’re pro-life or pro-choice, I think these statistics are important to be aware of.
Check them out here: https://www.acf.hhs.gov/.../documents/cb/afcarsreport28.pdf
If you’re curious about children in foster care or children who are waiting to be adopted (there is a difference between the two), then you should look at these stats.
It includes information as to why these children were placed in foster care, how many each year, what age, male/female, and when they entered/exited, how, etc.
Whether you look at these stats or not, whether you’re pro-choice or pro-life, ask yourself —
“In the past year what have I done personally to help with children in foster care? Children waiting to be adopted? And mothers and fathers who are expecting (whether they’ve decided to keep the baby or not)?”
And while I’ve said this before, prayer and donating money is great, but I think that’s part of this country’s problem. We like to offer prayers (which are definitely needed) and write a check (which is also needed), but we don’t really like to step out of our comfort zone as often and do the hard work — Like open our house up to watch expecting mother’s other children for free, provide a safe home for that teen mom, make some meals for those families who are fostering children more than once, drive them to their appointments, help with after school care for those babies as they grow up and age, help provide and ensure quality medical care by educating mothers on what they have available to them, as well as hold our government officials accountable, and I don’t mean with a Facebook status blasting your opinion about your state officials.
If both sides spent as much time as we do fighting each other on social media sites, and put that energy into fighting for changes that are needed — guaranteed paid leave for parents that actually allows proper bonding and healing, proper postpartum care throughout the entire first year of baby’s life to help identify and treat postpartum depression, anxiety, and rage, proper breastfeeding education, childcare that is affordable, food that is nutritious and affordable for both parents and the baby, the list goes on and on.
There is much work to be done on the government’s end. But there is even more work to be done on our end. Work that should have been happening for years, not just now beginning. A lot of that work starts in our homes.
So before you look at the teen mom and think how sad, think of ways you could help, and DO IT.
Before you see the single dad in the car pick up line, don’t pity him, think of ways you could make life a little easier, and DO IT.
Before you see the single 33 year old mom working two jobs, and think “How hard and exhausting,” think of ways you could help lighten the load, and DO IT.
Before you blame the “dead beat dad” for abandoning that woman and her growing child, and think how that little boy is now going to grow up to be just like his dad — invest time in raising and being present in that fatherless little boy’s life, throughout his youth, and even into his adulthood so the cycle breaks and he’s not just like the dad he never had.
And to those of you who ARE doing those things already, who are fostering, who have adopted, who are trying to reconnect children with their biological parents, who are supporting the families that have done those things through meals, free child care, gifts, products and so much more, thank you! Thank you for investing in life.
And if you aren’t doing any of those things, but are claiming pro-life, I ask you to begin. Check out the local pregnancy crisis centers near you and ask for a list of items they need donated, ask how you can serve the foster families in your communities, check in on and help with the families who have adopted, and while you’re doing it, don’t forget about the biological parents. Whether they are trying to sober up, get clean or simply find a stable job, they need support, too, both physically and emotionally, not just for the sake of their children; but for the sake of themselves.
If you’ve read this far, thanks for sticking in there. We might not see eye to eye, you may unfriend me after this post.
Believers, church — all eyes are on us right now. What’s our next move?
Unbelievers — those expecting mothers, fathers, and children are watching you, too. What’s your next move?
You want to know what the number one reason for children being placed in foster care in 2020 was?
Neglect.
“State laws often define neglect as the failure of a parent or caregiver to provide needed food, shelter, clothing, medical care, or supervision to the degree that a child’s health, safety, and well-being are threatened with harm.”
139,255 (64%) children entered the foster care system due to neglect.
