What exactly is the difference between foster care and adoption?

Question

Ok so i know what adoption is, but what exactly is foster care, like how is it different from adoption? and What is your opinion on which is better?

I was talking to my husband about us one day adopting and he mentioned being foster parents so I was curious as to which is better, and how exactly foster care works so I can make a better decision when the time comes.

Answer 1

foster care= temporary

adoption= permanent

Answer 2

foster care is a temp. placement it can turn into adoption if they can not place the child(ren) back in their natural home but normally foster care is temp. and adoption is for ever.

Answer 3

Foster care is where the child is taking out of his/her home because of abuse or neglect from parents.Adoption is where the child's parents are either dead or don't want them or couldn't take care of them.

Answer 4

Foster care is where a family is qualified by the state to accept children in their home either on short-term or long-term basis.  The goal of foster care is to provide a "safe haven" for the child while the birth parents work on their lives (if possible) to reunite the original family.  In some cases this is not possible (as with mine) due to crimes or b-parents choosing or failing not to meet the recommendations of the state.  In those cases, the children are made for adoption through foster care.  Often called foster adopt.  

Adoption is different in that the children are not "removed" from the home by the state.  Typically in regular adoption cases, it is the b-family who has sought out to make an adoption plan for their child and contacts an agency or lawyer.

Answer 5

adoption is better no matter what the adoption cult says

Answer 6

Foster care isnt always forever. Adoption is forever.

I personally think It would be very hard being a foster parent. Getting attatched then having to let go when the time comes. My friend was in foster care and he stayed there until he was 18. He calls his foster parents mum and dad.

I dont think either is better, aslong as its done for the child and not for the adults.

Answer 7

Adoption is obviously when you become a childs parents, it's permanemt.  Foster care is when you look after a child or a number of children for a while, maybe whilst their family sorts out problems or maybe until a family adopt them.  It's temporary care and could be for a few day or a few months.

Answer 8

Foster care is temporary.  The parents are unable to care for the children due to jail, drugs, abuse, etc.  The social workers will always try to reunite the family first.  Even if the parents abuse the kids and eachother, have no jobs, and live in a car.  As a foster parent you will have to do whatever the county tells you to do - take the kids to see there parents all the time, all the visits to the professionals, etc, etc.  The county will chew you up and spit you out after they have used you.  It is harsh, but that is the true reality.  Don't get into it if you think you are going to save the world or even a single child.  You have to have more backbone than that to stick w/ it.  Many of the kids even the babies and toddlers already have reactive attachment disorder, abused, and fetal alcohol syndrome.  I was a foster parent for many years and decided to adopt from the system.  It is the hardest trip in your life you will ever take and if you think you are different than all the rest of us you are completely wrong.

Answer 9

foster care the kid lives with you , but he can be taken if he is adopted and put in another home, it also isnt permanent

adoption, the kid is yours-you dont even have to tell him if hes adopted and legally no one can take him from you unless ur an ufit parent

i think adoption is better to remove all uncertainties in the kids life

Answer 10

Adoption is permanent and foster care if temporary.....

You adopt a child for many reasons.  You go into foster care for many reasons.  I myself was in foster care when i was a kid.  3 different ones to be exact!