An article was posted on Grist.org today encouraging those who want to raise children or make a lasting impact on a child's life to become foster or adoptive parents. A study released last week tracked hundreds of foster youths ages 17 through 24, was mentioned in the article. The article identifies some sobering statistics about youth who age out of the foster care system and how the vast majority struggle to find housing and jobs and most don't pursue higher education.
- Only 6% of of those surveyed had finished a two- or four-year college degree by age 24, and nearly one-quarter did not have a high school diploma or GED.
- Nearly 60% of the young men had been convicted of a crime.
- Only 48% were working, compared with 72% of their peers who hadn't been in foster care. For those working, the median annual income was just $8,000.
- Nearly 40% had been homeless or had "couch-surfed" since leaving foster care, and three-quarters of the young women had received public assistance in the last year.
The writer challenges readers to think about the impact on our communities, cities, children and our future if those children and teens had found stable, nurturing families before they turned 18. The writer also points out that adoption can and should be viewed as an intentional way to build a family, rather than a "last ditch" choice.
For more information on this study or to read the full article, visit the link below.
0 comments:
Post a Comment