The challenges of fostering infants and children

There are various reasons for and ways of fostering infants and children in different parts of the world. In a traditional society, for example among Australian Aboriginals, children who have been subjected to catastrophes such as maternal death are taken care of in their extended families, whereas children in the Western world are fostered mainly because of adverse psychosocial factors such as abuse or neglect. In transitional societies and urban slums, where there are few protective mechanisms, the sufferings of orphans may be extreme and they run a great risk of being exploited in various ways or of becoming involved in criminal street gangs.

The fostering of infants and children around the world creates many yet unanswered challenges. This rather neglected area is in urgent need of much more attention, especially in transitional societies.