[roche]

I probably sound like I am contradicting myself here, but I think that Dianna is being very thoughtful about helping kids from a similiar culture. Especially if they are only used to a Hispanic (or any other ) culture. I am thinking not in terms of their stay with the foster family, but I am thinking more about when that foster child goes back to live with their birth family - assuming reunification is the goal. Sometimes the foster stay can be lengthy, and it is probably helpful to a hispanic child to feel a little less stress about the adjustment to a foster family if the foster family can speak their language, or eat the same foods. I do think it is good for any child to grow up feeling proud of their culture, culture is important.

Unfortunatley, in our area - there are very few Hispanic foster families. So while it would probably help the foster child to be fostered by Hispanic FF, that isn't always possible. So really, when it comes right down to it, I think to any child who comes in to a f home, it is most important that they feel save, loved and valued. Not all foster kids will develop a good relationship with their ff and trust them. But it will help many of them, regardless of the ff race/culture.

I really don't think though that I have the right to say what is right or wrong for anyone else. My mom adopted a disabled little girl from Russia when she was 8 years old. And she has no arms from the elbow down. I love my sister just as much as anyone else, but I do feel guilt that I don't think I could handle that kind of commitment. I guess I feel guilt because I grew up with disabled children so I should be more comfortable with disabilities? So I think it is important that we not carry a lot of guilt about what we think we can or can't handle. I prefer not to adopt a child with severe disabilities. I don't think that diminishes my character. Just as it shouldn't someone dimish a person's character if they prefer to stay within their own race.


Roche