Fosterfamiljens inre liv

• The study focuses on family relations in the homes of foster carers. The aim of the study is to find out what impact fostering has on marital relations, on relations between parents and children, and also explore relations between biological children and foster children. A gender perspective runs throughout the study; what differences could be seen in the way foster mothers and foster fathers handle the task of fostering? The data collection consists of two parts: A questionnaire survey and in-depth interviews with foster carers. 1. Questionnaire survey Questionnaires were sent by post to 550 foster carers. 50% of the questionnaires were sent to foster mothers, and 50% to foster fathers, which meant that either the man or the woman was the receiver of a questionnaire. 366 foster carers answered, 192 women and 174 men. 2. Interviews with foster carers 34 foster carers have been interviewed; the wife and husband in 17 foster families. 12 of the foster families had more than three years experience of fostering. Five couples had just started as foster carers, these five couples have been interviewed three times within the lapse of 18 months. Interviews were made with women and men separately. Conclusions and summary Fostering is often initiated by women, but men also play an important part and eventually get as engaged in fostering as women do. Foster carers tend to have a traditional way of organising their lives, and often live in rural areas. Motives for fostering are mainly a social interest, and a wish to live with children. To be able to handle the task of fostering, it is important for foster mothers and foster fathers to have a stable and trusting relationship. One of the most rewarding things about fostering is a closer relationship between men and women. Another rewarding aspect of fostering is that it causes foster carers to reflect upon their parenthood, of what it means to be a parent. Less rewarding aspects are that fostering make carers tired, and drains them of energy. Lack of control also put foster carers in a paradoxical situation, where they feel responsible for something they do not have the power to influence. Care within the home is often highly valued socially, but less valued pecuniary, which may be one reason why foster carers have difficulties in explaining payment to children, and also to friends and colleagues. Fostering can make carers less observant of the situation of their own children, and sometimes even have a negative impact on these children, but carers also report fostering to increase emphatic abilities of children. Contact with birth parents might cause conflicts and feelings of uncertainty, but can also be perceived as rewarding by foster carers.

Ämnesord

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Sociologi -- Socialt arbete (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Sociology -- Social Work (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Fosterfamilj

familjerelationer

vardagsliv

könsperspektiv

Publikations- och innehållstyp

vet (ämneskategori)

dok (ämneskategori)