04-28-2008, 01:38 AM
...but to clarify, yes, I agree with BL that Foster care has a troubling record. I don't have any statistics either, but there have been enough high-profile stories of Foster Care abuses to make a disturbing impact. How well Foster care providers have responded to these concerns (reforming the process, isolating and prosecuting abusers in the system) remains to be seen, but yeah, Foster care is far from perfect, and in some cases, is horrific. I don't think this qualifies as an overall indictment of the whole Foster Care system. While it's a valid thing to be concerned about, I don't think it's a valid objection.
Unless someone has evidence to suggest otherwise, Foster Care abusers are still the the exception, not the rule. There are abuses in every system or agency empowered to give support or care. Foster care is probably no better or worse in this respect than any other care-giving agency or system. Either way, it's not enough of a reason to prevent Texas Authorities from doing its job, and for case workers and courts to use the system available to it.
I wonder if the Foster families will let the kids wear normal clothes from the Gap, K-Mart, and Old Navy, instead of having those "Little House on the Prairie" clothes. And get to have Kelloggs cereal, and watch TV, like other kids. Sounds to me like life in Foster care might not be the worst thing to happen to these kids, by a long shot. They'll finally get to see Walt Disney movies, attend normal neighborhood schools, and find out who Hannah Montana is. Once they get a taste of life outside the "compound", they might not be in a hurry to go back?
Unless someone has evidence to suggest otherwise, Foster Care abusers are still the the exception, not the rule. There are abuses in every system or agency empowered to give support or care. Foster care is probably no better or worse in this respect than any other care-giving agency or system. Either way, it's not enough of a reason to prevent Texas Authorities from doing its job, and for case workers and courts to use the system available to it.
I wonder if the Foster families will let the kids wear normal clothes from the Gap, K-Mart, and Old Navy, instead of having those "Little House on the Prairie" clothes. And get to have Kelloggs cereal, and watch TV, like other kids. Sounds to me like life in Foster care might not be the worst thing to happen to these kids, by a long shot. They'll finally get to see Walt Disney movies, attend normal neighborhood schools, and find out who Hannah Montana is. Once they get a taste of life outside the "compound", they might not be in a hurry to go back?