The Interests of Children and the Interests of the State: Rethinking the Conflict between Child Welfare Policy and Foster Care Practice

Authors

A. Pare, McGill University
J. Torczyner, McGill University

Abstract

The social welfare literature -- whether embodied in the ideology of the profession, claimed in its social policy, substantiated through empirical research, or espoused in practice -- suggests that children should not be removed from their natural hones as a solution to economic woes or to the unavailability of social support services. This apparent convergence of ideology, policy and practice -- buttressed by social values which recognize the importance of family life -- would suggest that few children, if any, would enter foster care because of inadequate income or the absence of social services. Yet, in 1977, between one quarter and one half a million children in the United States are in foster care and most of them are children of the poor. While policy statements claim that substitute care should be a last resort, it is more often than not the only resource available to child welfare practitioners.

Recommended Citation

Pare, A. and Torczyner, J. (1977) "The Interests of Children and the Interests of the State: Rethinking the Conflict between Child Welfare Policy and Foster Care Practice ," The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare: Vol. 4: Iss. 8, Article 7.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15453/0191-5096.1232
Available at: https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/jssw/vol4/iss8/7