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.
