Author: Kathryn Jean Lopez, editor-at-large for National Review.
Source: Gale Opposing Viewpoints Online Collection, published by Gale, part of Cengage Group.
Main Argument: The U.S. foster care system is failing children due to radical agendas and mismanagement.
Key Points
Prioritizing Child Welfare
Many children age out of foster care without finding permanent homes.
A significant number of women who age out end up on public assistance, with increased risks of homelessness, unemployment, and incarceration.
The foster care system should prioritize the needs of children over social justice and parental rehabilitation.
Radical Cultural Trends
Race Issues: Structural racism is often misidentified, leading to poor treatment of children in the system.
Nonwhite children are sometimes left in abusive homes due to concerns over racism.
There is a reluctance to place nonwhite children with white families, despite availability.
Criticism: Naomi Schaefer Riley's book "No Way to Treat a Child" criticizes child welfare policies as being influenced by radical ideologies.
Bureaucratic Challenges
Children lose critical developmental years in bureaucratic and judicial systems.
New foster parents often leave the system quickly due to frustrations.
Religion and Forever Families
Faith-based communities play a crucial role in foster care success.
4 out of 5 foster parents credit their success to faith communities.
Legal Issues: Faith-based agencies, such as Catholic Social Services, have faced legal barriers due to ideological conflicts, particularly regarding same-sex marriage.
Positive Initiatives: Programs like Project 1.27 link churches with agencies to support foster families.
The Brutality of Addiction
Addiction is a major issue impacting children's removal from homes.
Recent laws in Arizona and Georgia expedite parental rights severance in cases of addiction.
Call for Reform
Riley's book serves as a handbook for systemic reform.
Needed Changes:
Transparency in the foster care system.
Attracting quality social workers.
Overhauling family court systems.
Community Involvement: Encouragement for ordinary Americans to participate in fostering.
Conclusion
There are approximately 440,000 children in the foster-care system needing permanent homes.
The issue is framed as a human rights concern, emphasizing the need for stable, permanent family environments.
Encourages individual and community action to address and reform the current system.