Through the examination of foster care and adoption, I will help students to understand how both agencies function to help children receive appropriate services. The following will be covered in this section:
1) how each agency functions to assist parents and children
2) the pros and cons of these services
3) the legal issues that arise due to the complex nature of these situations
Foster Care:
Foster care is a system that places the care of minors with foster parents. It is the job of the agency to choose parents that can render adequate care. These parents are given the responsibility to be the ultimate caregiver (for a limited period of time) by either the court system or the agency itself. Children are placed in foster care for various reasons. They may be the victims of abuse or neglect - or may be voluntarily placed in a foster home by the child’s parent. During this time, the government agency has the right to pull a child out of the foster home at any time. The natural parent continues to hold legal custody.
Foster parents are usually paid for their services. However, they have a minimal amount of legal rights. Often, foster parents become attached to the children in their care. They may have a child or children for several years although many agencies set time limitations to foster relationships. However, in some circumstances, foster parents will apply for adoption.
Adoption:
Adoption is the process in which adults assume the legal responsibility of children not biologically their own. Although anyone regardless of race, marital status. or religion can do it, agencies prefer to match an individual in a similar background to the adopting source. Many couples find it more desirable to adopt a baby. However, it can be a long, grueling process obtaining a young child that often leads into disappointment. “The evidence of the tragedy can be found in increasing evidence of black market activity of babies, characterized by very high prices for newborns (as much as $40,000) but continued interest on the part of childless couples” (Minow 57).
Often, many children go through years of foster care in hopes of adoption into a nurturing family. Many times these hopes lead to despair. As children become older, they have less of a chance of ever being adopted.
Adoption can become a complicated legal issue. Biological parents may refuse to give up the custody of their child or children. When parties involved are opposed in an , it is up to the legal system to settle all disputes. “In most cases consent is required, but in some cases, even if the natural parents refuse consent or can not be found, courts may still grant adoptions that they decide are in the best interests of the child” (Arbetman 328). There are cases that have allowed for the adoption of children who are not biologically their own, against the parents wishes. However, the courts more often rule in favor of the biological parents.
Lessons 1:
Teacher will conduct a group discussion about adoption through an adoption case. In the case of Loving v. Virginia, the state of Virginia found trans-racial adoption to be unnatural and in opposition of the “Racial Integrity Act”. The trial court reasoned as follows:
“Almighty God created the races white, black, yellow, malay, and red - and he placed them on separate continents. And but for the interference with his arrangement - there would be no cause for such marriages. The fact that he separated the races shows that he did not intend for the races to mix.” (Minow 88)
The Supreme Court found Virginia’s “Racial Integrity Act” to be unconstitutional. It reversed the decision.
The teacher will present the case and encourage group discussions. It will be important to play a neutral role so that students will feel comfortable sharing individual opinions. The teacher will split groups according to views expressed, so that a debate would be possible for following lesson. This will set the tone for a two day debate on adoption rights.
Lesson 2: (Day 1 of debate}
Students will engage in a debate on the topic of trans-racial adoption foster care placement. Each side will have an opportunity to state a point that supports their view. The opposing sine will have the opportunity to respond. Each side will take turns and the teacher will act as the mediator.
Lesson 3: (Day 2 of debate)
Students will follow the same format of debate used in prior lesson. Teacher will introduce a new topic for debate: “Should homosexuals be allowed to adopt children - or care for foster children?”
Possible guide questions to use in a group discussion:
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1) Would a homosexual parent be able to care for a child the same way a heterosexual parent would?
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2) What difficulties would the parent face from society if he/she adopted a child?
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3) What difficulties would the child face from society if he/she were adopted by a homosexual parent?
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4) Do you think that the child would be influenced negatively by the parent’s lifestyle?
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5) In what ways may it be a positive experience?
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6) How do you think the child would feel being adopted by a homosexual parent?
Lesson 4:
Students will have the opportunity to create an adoption agency screening process. Students will need to compose the following:
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1) questionnaire for potential parent
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2) guidelines for approved applicant
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3) comment sheet for interviewing process
Student will be given focus questions to consider when constructing the forms:
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l) What age is appropriate to adopt?
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2) Is race matching important?
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3) What type of housing is acceptable?
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4) Will homosexual applicants be considered?
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5) What income level is necessary to adequately care for a child?
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6) Are single parents allowed to adopt?
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7) Will you separate brothers/sisters if applicants will only take one or the other?
Lesson 5:
Role-playing activity:
Choose a set of forms constructed by a student from previous lesson. Student pretends that he is in charge of the adoption agency. Another student role plays an applicant to the adoption. The interview will takes place in front of the class.
Those students who are observing the activity will be required to respond in writing in their journals. They will need to answer two questions:
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1) Do you think the applicant should be accepted or denied based on the evidence witnessed?2) Why do you feel this way? Justify your answer.
Extension activity:
Discuss legal options of the applicant who is rejected.
