The Child Welfare System in the USA. A Broken System?

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Introduction
• History
• Different Types of Out-of-Home Care
• Children in the System
  • Reasons for Children Entering the Child Welfare System
  • Outcomes
• Children in the System in The Fosters
• Conclusion

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This thesis aims to examine the U.S. American child welfare system, exploring its complexities and effectiveness. The study focuses specifically on the experiences of children within the system, investigating their entry points, outcomes, and the system's ability to meet their needs. The thesis draws inspiration from the TV series "The Fosters" which highlights the challenges faced by children within the foster care system.

• The complexities of the U.S. American child welfare system
• Reasons for children entering the child welfare system
• The outcomes experienced by children within the system
• The role of foster care in the lives of children
• The effectiveness of the child welfare system in meeting the needs of children

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• Introduction: This chapter introduces the topic of child welfare, providing a general overview of the concept and its importance in protecting children's well-being. It outlines the thesis's central research question and its focus on the U.S. American child welfare system. The chapter also introduces the TV series "The Fosters" as a source of inspiration for the research.
• History: This chapter delves into the historical development of the U.S. American child welfare system, tracing its evolution from early forms of child protection to the present-day system. It explores key events, policies, and societal shifts that have shaped the system's evolution.
• Different Types of Out-of-Home Care: This chapter examines the various types of out-of-home care available to children within the U.S. American child welfare system. It explores the characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages of different placements, including foster homes, group homes, and kinship care.
• Children in the System: This chapter explores the reasons why children enter the child welfare system. It investigates the circumstances that lead to child welfare intervention, such as parental neglect, abuse, or substance abuse. The chapter also explores the outcomes experienced by children in the system, including their educational attainment, mental health, and overall well-being.
• Children in the System in The Fosters: This chapter examines the portrayal of the child welfare system in the TV series "The Fosters," analyzing the experiences of the main characters and how the series highlights the system's strengths and weaknesses.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

The primary focus of this thesis lies on the U.S. American child welfare system, encompassing the complexities of its structure, the reasons for children's entry, and the outcomes they experience within the system. Key concepts include child welfare services, foster care, permanency planning, child maltreatment, and the impact of the system on children's well-being.