Foster Youth- For Educational Counseling Program - Assignment Example

Foster Youth- For Educational Counseling Program Introduction Different groups in the society behave differently, are looked upon differently by the society and have different issues when dealing with people who are different from them. This paper is going to give out a comprehensive look at the Foster Youth ages 12-17 groups. Foster youth are children who are in their youth and are living with guardians and caretaker and not their parents like regular children due to various reasons. Furthermore, the paper is going to discuss the group’s education system, the holidays the group observes, the language considerations, health considerations, counseling considerations and terms used to describe this group by the society. Language and Cultural Considerations of Foster Youth Ages 12-17 Social Organization/ Structure Any person between the ages of 11-18 is considered a youth and a teenager. Therefore, foster youths aged 12-17 are teenagers who live with guardians and caretakers. This group is a hard group to deal with and often cause a lot of problem for their foster parents. Not only do children in this age group cause problem to their guardians but even parents who live with their teenage children report the same problems. However, the case is even worse off for foster care children as they feel different from other children (Mech, Clark & Child Welfare League of America, 2003). Normally, foster children aged 12-17 stick with other children from foster care as they feel they understand each other better. Moreover, they tend to have trust with other foster children and socialize with them more as compared to normal teenagers. Since foster youth are often lone children the other foster children are like family to them. This trait seems to make foster youth secretive, rebellious, introverts and moody. In turn foster youth always have depression, stress and self esteem issues and cannot socialize well like other kids as they feel unwanted or unloved by their parents. Community Influences The community does not look down upon this population instead they look out for them. There are many things that communities have done and are still doing to assist foster youth. Being teenagers, the community knows that they are vulnerable to vices like drugs, violence and sexual abuse and as such has come up with strategies to curb these vices (Clauss-Ehlers, 2004). First, the community has volunteered to take in children with issues that make them parentless for example death of both parents, parents who are in jail or children whose parents abuse them physically, verbally, emotionally or even sexually. Secondly, the community has come up with after school programs which involve the foster youth and make them feel like part of the community. Activities like Sunday afternoon barbeques, community church choirs and many others. Finally, the community has come up with campaigns that creates awareness of foster youth well being. Communities are always on the alert to foster care children since they are young and should be protected from abusive foster parents. Education Systems Foster youth aged 12-17 are still school going children as they are not even legally adults. Since they stay with other people other than their parents, their education is a very sensitive issue. When it comes to education, foster youth should be allowed to make decisions concerning their lives too without somebody imposing things n them. If they make decisions by themselves even though they are children they will get responsible quickly and they will also feel like their choices are respected. This idea will also reduce tension and resentment of the foster youth to their foster parents and bring peace and love. Also in education, foster parents need to go easy on the youths and not be very harsh when they do not do well in school as they rather speak out and try to understand them. This is because foster youth are going through a lot. Apart from experiencing the challenges of becoming a teenager and the body changes and the likes they are also not living with their parents. This are reasons enough to make them fail classes and the only way to succeed is to talk, guide and counsel them. Religious Considerations/History Religion plays a very big and crucial part in the lives of foster youths. According to the bible foster youths are compared to orphans and God says that he loves orphans and he will take care of them and provide them with all their basic needs as he is their father. God’s way of providing basic needs to the foster youth is by blessing them with good foster parents as not all foster parents are good since some people do it for money and not love for children (Lemay & Ghazal, 2007). In addition, foster parents should encourage foster youth to grow up in their various religious upbringing. This is because only religion can be a source of inspiration and consolation as they are like orphaned children. Holidays Observed Holiday’s times are very stressful times in the life of people especially foster youth children. Since foster youth come from various ethnicities and backgrounds therefore, they celebrate different holidays from their foster parents. The foster family should first involve the foster youth in the celebrations for example they should decide what they are celebrating like Christmas, Hanukah, thanks giving or Easter (Lemay & Ghazal, 2007). The foster family can incorporate the foster youth’s family celebrations to give them a sense of belonging. Holidays are times that foster youths should be brought together as one to make them feel not as orphans but as loved children. Furthermore, foster parents should encourage the foster youths to give presents to their parents for those whose parents are still alive. In addition to this, foster parents should create special holidays for their foster youths to celebrate having them in their families. Language Considerations Talking to teenagers is hard not to mention foster youth aged between 12-17 years. It is very tricky and even slight unintentional insensitive language can trigger negative or violent results. Foster youth group aged 12-17 are teenagers who are prone to violent and rebellious breakouts furthermore since they are undergoing certain changes at this time. In addition, teenagers of any kind not only foster youth have a foul mouth and always use swear words and derogatory words in their arguments. In most instances, foster youth group will feel that the foster parents have no right to talk o them in any offensive manner even though even foster parents are just human beings and out of concern and anger can sometimes shout and yell to the foster youth after all they are the ones responsible for their upbringing. The first step to take when talking to a foster youth aged 12-17 is that the foster parents should remain calm and ask for audience. Then the parents should politely tell the foster youth why they have called them that is what mistake they have done. Thirdly, the foster parent should give the foster youth an opportunity to explain themselves and their actions. Finally, the foster parent should advice the foster youth in an appropriate manner that is calmly, wisely and with tact. For example they could use examples or even quote the bible if the foster child is a Christian. This process will yield positive results and the foster youth will respond well and even sometimes see the point and the ir mistakes. The worst thing is arguing with a foster youth as it will only make things worse if they do not see their faults at first the foster parents should give them space and time to figure it out themselves and never force the truth on them. Prevalent Health Considerations Every youth’s health is a matter of importance since teenage hood is a time for great body changes. Foster youths aged 12-17 need even more health considerations since they are a group which is undergoing confusing body changes and no parent to explain this point in time in their lives and the changes to expect and how to handle the changes. In this group the girl’s health consideration for girls should be considered to be of more great importance. At this age group girls are more at risk with their health than boys since they are now capable of becoming mothers (Lemay & Ghazal, 2007). This is not to say that boy’s health is not important but it is just that girls have more health issues at this stage than boys. For example girls will be having their periods and the foster parent’s needs to advise them on how to handle this really confusing change. Moreover, at these stage girls, especially who are in foster care can be allured by older boys who promise them love, money and other things that they probably do not have or receive at their foster homes. This makes girls more vulnerable than bouts since they can get pregnant, contract STIs and even the deadly HIV/AIDS (In Saleh, In Grudzinskas & In Judge, 2014). Girls should also be taken for medical procedures like Pap smear and breast and cervix examinations every few months. However, both sexes need keen medical attention like psychiatrist that can help with their suppressed feelings and anger issues (Mech, Clark & Child Welfare League of America, 2003). Counseling Considerations Or Tips For Working With This Group Although it is tricky to work with teenagers especially foster youths aged 12-17 there are various ways to counsel this group. First, remaining calm is the biggest weapon while handling this group. Yelling, shouting and cursing only makes things worse as they will build a wall around them or worse walk out. Secondly, showing unconditional love to them and filling the void left by their parents is a sure way of gaining their trust and compassion (Mech, Clark & Child Welfare League of America, 2003). Although a foster parent is not the biological parent, some foster youths from violent backgrounds can feel at home if they find nice foster parents. Thirdly, involving them in crucial decision making like for example what they prefer to do with their life, the kind of professions they want to pursue and importantly what schools they want to attend and even the friends they want to keep. This will make them feel independent, loved and respected and not like some intrusion and burden into the lives of strangers. Finally, allowing them to know their family background, like visiting their parents for those whose parents are not dead, taking present to their parents and visiting their relatives and even brothers or sisters who might be in other foster homes. Term used to describe or used by this cultural group This group always has some few names used to describe them and their situation. For example author Hoffmann & Hoffman (2011) describes a foster youth’s history as a ‘rap sheet’ (Hoffman & Hoffman, 2011). A rap sheet would normally mean a criminal record but is however used loosely for foster youths when getting into new families to mean their history. In Canada foster youth refer to themselves as out-of-home-care or in-placement. They also refer to themselves as state-raised while parent s calls foster care worker care. Conclusion Dealing with foster youth aged 12-17 is tougher than dealing with regular children. This is because they always feel different and unloved. This leads them to be poor in specializing with other children as they have self esteem issues and depression. However, being calm and loving to them and incorporating them in family holidays and in crucial decision making concerning their lives is very important for foster youth. Since foster you feel different they also have their own slang names they use to refer to themselves for example out-of-home-care or in-placement or state-raised. References Clauss-Ehlers, C. S. (2004). Community planning to foster resilience in children. New York ; Dordrecht [u.a.: Kluwer Acad. Publ. Hoffman, M. W., & Hoffman, K. (2011). Hattie's advocate: Adopting a family through foster care. Mohegan Lake, N.Y: Demarche Pub. In Saleh, F. M., In Grudzinskas, A., & In Judge, A. (2014). Adolescent sexual behavior in the digital age: Considerations for clinicians, legal professionals, and educators. Lemay, R. A., & Ghazal, H. (2007). Looking after children: A practitioner's guide. Ottawa: University of Ottawa Press. Mech, E. V., Clark, H. B., & Child Welfare League of America. (2003). Uncertain futures: Foster youth in transition to adulthood. Washington, DC: CWLA Press. Read More