Today I ask you to share your opinions about what I consider America's shame. Not the only one, but the one that I live with the effects of every day. First a story: Years ago there were a large number of Korean orphans available for adoption. Not now. Now it is very difficult. Do you know why? Because the South Korean people decided that it was a matter of national pride. They decided that letting people from other countries step in and adopt Korean children sent a message to the world that South Korea was not able or willing to take care of its own children. They weren't proud of that message and so they decided they would take care of their own.
I know American children are not being adopted by out-of-country families... at least not yet. But, neither is America doing a very good job of taking care of its own children. There are currently over 510,000 American children in foster care. Yes, more than half a million! Check out these statistics from www.fosterclub.comIf nothing changes.... by the year 2020
--22,500 children will die of abuse or neglect, most before their 5th birthday
--more than 10.5 million children will spend some time in foster care
--more than 300,000 children will age out of foster care, some in poor health and many unprepared for further education or entering the job market
--75,000 former foster youth who have aged out will experience homelessness.
Is this how America values its children? These children need a ground swell of outrage and support. How can we start?
I know many of those who visit my site are already former or current foster parents, but not all. Ideas anyone? Chime in!!
photo credit: http://emilytheperson.com/2010/09/day-6-a-moment-you.html
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