On Parent Consciousness in Foster Families

Two Attitudes towards the “Parent-Child” Framework

Abstract

This paper examines the process of formation of parent consciousness in the case of five foster parents. Their opinions were divided according to their will to adopt or not the foster child. When aiming at adoption, their commitment to their role of parents is less strong than when they only aim at bring-up the child. In that case, they attach more importance to the nature of the relationship with the child. Such dilemmas do not occur in ‘natural’ families, as parent consciousness develops spontaneously from the very beginning. This shows us an aspect of ‘natural’ families (blood relation) that is usually taken for granted.