[jfrankamp]

I can answer this, also fostered then adopted a teenager. It actually does not help the kid, its the worst thing that could happen to them except all of the alternatives. Being placed in a foster home is trauma. Getting separated from their bio family is trauma. Continuing to be physically abused (in their bio fam) is unacceptable trauma. Extended family was also a bust and resulted in more physical abuse.

[tooltower]

Thanks for answering this.

To sort of hammer the point home in my brain, does the following summarize what you are saying?

In spite of all the trauma, you still think foster care is better than leaving kids with their family? E.g. the article says "more kids are removed for neglect than abuse" and only 35 percent of them finished high school. So, between the two evils (abusive family and foster care), do kids really fare better in the foster care system?

As someone who grew up outside of USA, but now live here, this is all rather shocking to me.

[batch12]

My brother had a tooth chipped and a broken arm. I have had an adult stand on my head and kick me around a room. I still had it much better than some of my peers. It isn't the best situation, but sometimes it is the only real option to protect the child.

[tooltower]

That does sound horrible.