An Exploratory Study on the Motivation of Low-Income Status Mothers in Becoming Foster Parents in Kaisahang Buhay Foundation

Abstract

In the Philippines, there is an increasing number of children placed in institutions for child welfare. Foster Care Act of 2012 recognizes that a child will benefit more from foster care than institutional care. The government want to strengthen and to propagate the system of foster parenting. Foster parents provide care to children who are neglected, abused and orphaned. As a result, the government is putting extra efforts in recruiting foster parents. In social services, foster care is a growing, however, an understudied program. Understanding the motivation of foster parents is crucial to attract more foster parents. There are many researches in other countries conducted to identify the reasons and motivations of parents decide on becoming foster parents. Research on foster parenting here in the Philippines is limited. This study employed exploratory and descriptive phenomenology. The present study explored and described the phenomenon of foster parenting. The motivations of foster parents were identified and their experiences were understood. Four foster parents of Kaisahang Buhay Foundation were interviewed. Results showed that the motivations of foster parents to be and remain in foster care. Having knowledge on the phenomenon of foster care and foster parenting initiated the decision to become foster parents. Three initial motivations were identified: (1) availability of the parent to provide foster care, (2) their family support and children being grown up and (3) wanting to help foster children. Their experiences motivated them to continue foster parenting. Fostering provides parents many opportunities in their lives such as fulfillment of desire and achieving well-being. The motivations were service driven and intrinsic in nature. The assistance and support given by Kaisahang Buhay Foundation contributes on the continued participation of parents in providing foster care.