The problem of child adoption is especially acute. One of the solutions to this issue is substituted parents. Who are they as candidates in an ordinary Siberian region? What is their psychological profile?
Social orphanhood has attracted more and more attention in recent years. Science and practice consider it inexpedient to raise children in orphanages and boarding schools. Children do not adapt well to normal independent life. The alternative is a foster family. This social institution has not yet found widespread distribution; it exists in different regions and mainly in cities.
Foster parents of adopted children in the Siberian region
Among people who are interested in other people's children, childless ones slightly exceed the number of those who have their own children. Attitude towards the form of child adoption: adherents of adoption reach about half of the respondents, 20% prefer custody and guardianship, and only 5-6% are ready to create a foster family. 25-26% did not decide at all at the time of contacting the relevant structures.
The shape of foster parents is still not well understood. Usually, such a study goes in three interrelated and interdependent directions: what a person is striving for, his abilities and what he is as a person.
Their life self-determination has reached an important stage. They became more oriented in the hierarchy of values for family and parenting. Their personal characteristics are determined by the attachment system and the characteristics of the motivational and cognitive sphere.
Almost all candidates for foster parents are employed (94%), most of them in permanent jobs. Of these, 30% are in leadership positions. 51% have higher education, 27% - secondary specialized. Their average age is 36 years. First of all, when choosing them, they are interested in the gender and age of the child. The external qualities of the child are significant only for 4-5%.
In 57% of cases, one of the parents was the initiator, the rest made a joint decision. There are many reasons, but the main ones are two: the loneliness and childlessness of the parent (32%) and the desire to help the disadvantaged and parental feelings (14%). Half are generally not inclined to dwell on their motives.
The importance of life values begins with love, health, family. Social status, religion, recreation are not a priority. Everyone believes that the events that happen to them depend on their personal qualities and are a consequence of their own activity.
They are used to being in charge of their lives. Are not shy or concerned about close relationships. In conflicts, they are focused on compromise solutions, less prone to rivalry. They are not prone to stressful conditions and depressive disorders, aggressiveness, they adapt well. This is due to their subjective control. The higher it is, the better the awareness of substitute parenting. And also the older.
Gender characteristics of candidates are quite common. In men, verbal aggression is more pronounced than in women. On the other hand, women are more concerned about close relationships than men.
