One of the main issues that keep reoccurring in research is the issue of permanency within the LBGT community, these children do not get more stability that others in the foster care system, and in most cases they experience problems with permanency more often (Jacobs, 2006). There are two forms that the youth could escape the issue of not finding permanency, this is by either adoption (most commonly seen in infants) or emancipation (Jacobs, 2006). But the problem with these two scenarios that could take place, is that neither are truly going to help the LGBT youth to receive the necessary care (Jacobs, 2006). Just like any other form of foster care, the best choice is reuniting the child with their families. It has been seen that there are a couple of main reasons why LGBT youth end up in the foster care system. One of the reasons is that the biological family does not agree or tolerate their gender identity or sexual orientation (McCormick, 2015). Second, they might simply be in the foster system because of reasons that initially have nothing to do with their …show more content…
It is seen that when youth disclose their orientation or identity to parents it ¬¬can come as a shock and a bit traumatic, therefore it is important for biological parent to be educated, and be active in counseling (Jacobs, …show more content…
According to the Child Welfare Information Gateway it is a true misinterpretation that when foster parents are having a LGBT youth in their home they have to make a choice on supporting them or being religious (Child, 2013). This is not true in all cases, many places that are religious will be welcoming to them, it is crucial to remember that even if they do not believe in it, it does not mean that they do not love others (Child, 2013). For example the Christian community is commanded many times to love one everyone, therefore they should be seeking out to be more welcoming and
There is nearly 400,000 children in out-of-home care in the United States right now (Children’s Right). Just about every day children are being shipped in and out of foster homes and group homes. Most people want the best for children in foster care and decide to take care of them until their parents can possibly recover. The foster care system can have both a negative or positive effect on children, foster parents, and biological parents because of the gaps in the system. Foster cannot not be avoided but the some aspects of the foster care system can be avoided if the missing gaps were filled.
One challenge young adult’s face after aging out of foster care is being provided the health care that they need. According to Paula K Jaudes and the American Academy of Pediatrics, children in foster care suffer from various health issues such as “developmental delays, mental retardation, emotional adjustment problems, chronic medical problems, birth defects, substance abuse, and pregnancy” (1170). It is unknown why children in care are at a higher risk for these problems, but numerous medical professionals believe it is caused by the circumstances that led them being put into foster care, and the experiences they had while in care (Jaudes 1170). Despite being inclined to face more medical problems than teenagers who grew up in nuclear families, there is a lack of support to help take care of these teens. One study conducted by...
Whether it be for religious reasons, or simply because they are afraid of how people might react, many of the LGBT+ community live in fear, never telling people how they really feel. There are many gay, bi, transgender, and more, living on the street simply because their parents abandoned them once they had come out. “In America, up to 1.6 million youth experience homelessness each year. The statistics for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) homeless youth are even more shocking, as this group represents up to 40% all young people experiencing homelessness...Half of all teens get a negative reaction from their parents when they come out to them. More than 1 in 4 are thrown out of their homes” (True Colors Fund, 1). LGBT+ youth, representing around 7% of the total youth, find difficulty living the American Dream that they dreamed of as
Perrin, Ellen C., and Benjamin S. Siegel. "Promoting the Well-Being of Children Whose Parents Are Gay or Lesbian." Pediatrics 131.4 (2013): 1374-383. PDF file.
The National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being (No. 16, 2007) states that about one third of children put into foster care for maltreatment are eventually reunified with the biological parent. This survey also found that African American’s were less likely to be reunified, and in children age seven months to ten years, boys are more likely to be reunified than girls (NSCAW No. 16, 2007). Many studies have been done of reunification of foster care cases and many show slower rates for African American families when compared to Anglo
During a foster parents training, they are taught to parent children with mental illness. This is good training, no doubt about that. Even so, this training needs to include how to treat race issues, sexuality, and gender. Not all foster parents are equipped with the knowledge on how to parent a transgender child. One article by Cassandra Chaney and Meghan Spell says, "African American children are more likely than Caucasian, Hispanic, and children of other racial/ethnic groups to be poor and thus be reported to public child welfare agencies at twice the rate of Caucasian children" (2). This proves that foster parents with no background in race relations, should take a class. This would overall help the quality of life of foster children who already feel ostracized because they are in foster
All around the world there are thousands even millions of children who are waiting to be adopted. Many who are troubled children, and for that reason they are from foster home to foster home. The ideal American "family" is with a man and a woman. In the United States we have same-sex couples who are wanting to adopt, but they are being turned down due to their sexual preference. Same-sex relationships are much more stable than the average heterosexual relationship. Having a stable relationship ensures an emotionally steady home for a foster child. “Good parenting is not influenced by sexual orientation. Rather, it is influenced most profoundly by a parent’s ability to create a loving and nurturing home” (“LGBT Adoption”). Same-sex couples are more likely to adopt “hard to place” children with challenging behavior or disabilities.
“Every year more than 25,000 youth age out of the foster care system” (Jansson, 2014, p.62). “As youth in foster care mature into adulthood, they face enormous challenges, including lack of family support; educational deficiencies; employment and income problems; inadequate or inappropriate living arrangements;
...ildren for experimenting with their sexuality; to discover who they are once they become of age, because in their rebellious phases they might decide to do this just to spite you. As research indicates and from personal experience, parents who are able to talk honestly to their kids about sex tend to be those with open family communication styles and whose parents talked with them about sex. Adolescents who feel close to their parents and who believe that their parents support them are likely to adopt sexual attitudes similar to their parents’ and to limit or delay their sexual activities. There are many things that can be learned from Randa Jarrar’s A Map of Home, and the importance of sexual awakening is just one of those themes.
How will foster parents respond to a child who does not want to attend church? They are willing to respect and encourage a child to attend to their religious affiliation, however they would want the child to know of their faith first and would prefer the children attend the church with them as a family. They are willing to arrange transportation to the church of their preference and provide a child an opportunity for religious and spiritual development. Shelly reported that if the child does not want to attend church then arrangements will be made to allow that child to
In recent years, same-sex relationships have become more encompassing in US society. State legislation is changing such as accepting gay marriages, enforcing anti-discrimination laws, and legal gay adoptions; the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community is becoming public. Gay-headed families, like heterosexuals, are diverse and varying in different forms. Whether a created family is from previous heterosexual relationships, artificial insemination, or adoption, it deserves the same legal rights heterosexual families enjoy. Full adoption rights needs to be legalized in all states to provide a stable family life for children because sexual orientation does not determine parenting skills, children placed with homosexual parents have better well-being than those in foster care, and there are thousands of children waiting for good homes.
It would be wrong to say that only negative outcomes occur when a child tells his parents he is gay. Many children feel that in order to establish an honest relationship with their parents then they must “come clean” to them. Ben-Ari’s research points out those adolescents who want to be open and honest with their parents receive that after disclosure. Parents are usually accepting after time their child’s sexual preference (107)
Homosexuality is becoming more and more accepted and integrated into today’s society, however, when it comes to homosexuals establishing families, a problem is posed. In most states, homosexuals can adopt children like any other married or single adult. There are many arguments to this controversial topic; some people believe that it should be legal nationally, while others would prefer that is was banned everywhere, or at least in their individual states. There are logical reasons to allow gays to adopt children, but for some, these reasons are not enough. The main issue really is, what is in the best interest of the child? This type of problem isn’t really one with causes, effects, and solutions, but one with pros and cons. Like any other adoption situation, a parent prove themselves to be responsible and capable enough to raise a child on their own, or with a spouse.
Research has already shown parent sexual orientation has no significant effect on children’s psychological adjustment in Wainright, Russell, and Patterson (2004) as well as Rivers, Poteat, and Noret (2008). There has been a stereotype that a man and a women should raise a child and if not the child would be “confused” about gender behavior, identity and sexual orientation. Wainright, Russell, and Patterson (2004) study has shown that parental sexual orientation has no effect of adolescent romantic attractions and behaviors. The results of their study show that children of same sex parents have a significant relationship quality. There was no significant difference in children’s’ general role behavior, children’s sexual orientation, gender identity, children’s’ cognitive development and psychological adjustment. Having same sex parents has no impact on a child’s gender role behavior, sexual orientation, gender identity, cognitive development and psychological adjustment. Having a same-sex parent has no impact on a child but rather the relationship that the child has with the parent no matter the parent’s sexual orientation. The relationship between the parent and the child s what can
An estimated 19 million Americans (8.2%) report that they have engaged in same-sex sexual behavior (Gates). More than 250,000 children in the U.S. enter the foster care system every year (Meet).The American society plays a crucial role in the adoption of children in the United States. In the U.S. it is a very critical and elongated process to become an adoptive parent for any couple.This process is extremely complex because parenthood is a very important job. A parent must fulfill certain criteria that are in the best interest of the child. It has been proven that gay and lesbian couples are unable to provide specific assets that a heterosexual couple can provide. A child that is adopted by a gay or lesbian couple is at a disadvantage. Some