Life after an out‐of‐home placement: What biological parents in foster care tell us about parenthood

Abstract

Multiple attempts have been made to address the perspectives of biological parents in cases of foster care. Despite this, there is a lack of research that adequately reflects these parents' perspectives on parenthood following an out-of-home placement. In addition, Western welfare systems tend to be primarily concerned with the rights of children and their foster parents. As we know little about how parenthood takes shape in the day-to-day practice of foster care, this study addresses what can be a possible (new) role for biological parents when an out-of-home placement is required. Qualitative research was performed by means of an interview guide, divided in (sub)themes, with 13 biological parents whose children were still in foster care. The thematic analysis of the interviews revealed three main topics: the sudden entry into foster care, the foster care process and feeling like a parent. Our analysis revealed that parents, despite their own reservations or objections about foster care, tend to commemorate or redefine their parenting role after their child(ren) have been placed out of home. K E Y W O R D Sbest interests of the child, biological parents, children's rights, foster care, parenthood, qualitative research