Foster Care TV Shows
In response to the ever increasing number of kids in foster care in the united states, there has also been a rise in the number of foster are tv shows. Though these show are not a reliable source of foster care tips, they do serve to normalize the foster care dynamic for kids, parents and those outside the foster care system.
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In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of popular television shows that feature foster care. This is likely due to the rising number of kids in foster care (there are currently over 440,000 kids in foster care in the United States) and the public’s growing awareness of the foster care system. While not all of these shows are entirely accurate in their portrayal of foster care, they all shed light on some of the issues faced by foster kids and families.
Foster Care TV Shows
Here are the most popular TV shows that are either centered around foster care or feature some element of the foster care process in episodes:
The Fosters
The Fosters is a show about a lesbian couple who are raising a family of both adopted and fostered children. While it does not explicitly focus on foster care, it provides a realistic portrayal of some of the challenges faced by both foster kids and families. The show addresses topics such as abuse, neglect, mental health, poverty, and race. It also highlights the importance of family and community support in helping children thrive.
Call Me Kat
Call Me Kat follows the life of a 39-year-old woman who chooses to open a cat café after she is left money by her late father. While the show is largely comedic, it also deals with some more serious issues such as grief, loneliness, and self-acceptance. One episode even features a storyline about a teenage girl who is in foster care and struggling to find her place in the world.
Station 19
Station 19 is a Grey’s Anatomy spinoff that focuses on the lives of firefighters at Seattle Fire Station 19. While the show typically deals with more lighthearted topics such as romance and friendship, it has also tackled some heavier issues such as addiction, domestic violence, and homelessness. In one episode, two teenage sisters in foster care are brought into the hospital after they are involved in a fire at their group home.
MasterChef Junior
MasterChef Junior is a cooking competition show for kids between the ages of 8 and 13. While it may seem like an unlikely candidate for a show about foster care, one season featured a contestant who was in foster care. This particular contestant had experienced abuse and neglect prior to coming into care and had spent time living in various group homes before being adopted by his current family. Despite all he had been through, he was able to compete confidently on the show and eventually won second place overall. His story highlights the importance of resilience and hope for kids in foster care.
Punky Brewster
Punky Brewster was one of the first shows that depicted the trials and triumphs of the foster care system. The show aired in the 1980s and featured Punky, a bright young child who was abandoned by her mom at a shopping mall. The state forces Punky to live in a shelter for orphaned and abandoned kids until the court allows her to be fostered by the man who discovered her living in an empty apartment alone. She is then adopted by her foster father in season 2.
Army Wives
Joan and Roland Burton foster and adopt an 11-year old boy David in Season 5. David had been in foster care for some time since his biological father had been in and out prison. David was also HIV positive. He had a hard time warming up to the Burtons and trusting them. The first time he got into trouble, he ran away, thinking they’d get rid of him.
This is Us
In Season 2, Randall and Beth begin fostering a 12-year-old girl named Deja, whose mother is in jail. Deja has already been in some abusive foster homes and is hesitant to trust the Pearsons. After some time, she opens up and starts feeling like one of the family. Then, her mom gets out of jail and wants her back. The Pearsons convince Deja’s mom to let them keep Deja for her well-being and eventually adopt her.
These are just a few popular television shows that feature foster care; there are many others out there as well. If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about fostering or adoption, please contact your local child welfare agency for more information. You can also visit AdoptUSKids or The National Foster Parent Association for more resources and information about fostering or adopting from Foster Care.
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