Extended reading: Preparation for Adoption
After a child has been adopted by a foster family, the roles and relationship between the adopted child and the foster family will change. The following are the facts the foster families, adopted children, the social workers of Taiwan Fund for Children and Families (TFCF), and social workers of county governments need to follow:
1. Foster family
After a child is adopted by a foster family, the relationships between the members of the family are redefined, including positions and roles. The other changes include lifestyle changes such as work/rest schedule, the TV programs, and leisure activities. Before the adoption, the mother of a family may use her free time for leisure activities. But after the adoption, the daily routine may change. Since every family has its own norm, in case conflict occurs between the adopted child and other members of the family, it means the adopted child fails to observe the norm. Under such circumstances, the social workers should respect the family and how the family resolves the conflict. Only when the corrective measures of the foster family violate the Children Welfare Law, then social workers can step in.
2. Adopted child
Certain biological parents of the adopted children may have been deprived of custodian rights. But the foster parents have no such rights at all. A foster family is only given the role of taking care the adopted children. The custodian of an abandoned baby is county magistrate, and the baby is given the family name of the county magistrate and registered as a member of the county government. Before the baby is given to a foster family, his or her name will be transferred to and registered under the household of the foster family. Depending on the background and personality, each of the adopted children may adjust to new life differently. Some adopted children may let go their defensive mentality and get adjusted to the new lifestyle of the foster family. But still, some adopted children may not fully trust the foster families.
3. Social workers of TFCF
Social workers will conduct weekly visits during the first month of the adoption, and bi-weekly visits during the second months. Starting from the third month, they will conduct monthly visit. Some think the visits may have negative effects on the relationship between the foster family and the adopted child. The visits remind the adopted child that he or she is not a member of the foster family. However, the visits give the adopted child the feeling that they are being cared, and social workers the opportunity to understand the situations of the foster families. In case the situations of the foster families are inappropriate, the adopted children can be transferred to a new foster family. Sometimes the transfer can be made immediately.
4. Social workers of County Government
In case the biological parents want to see their children who have been adopted, the social workers of the county governments can make arrangements for them to meet at the county government. In principle, they can meet once a month, and each meeting at the Department of Social Welfare of the county government is one hour. The children may spend two to three days with their biological parents during certain special holidays. Emergency meetings may be arranged with first priority given to the safety of the adopted children. The meetings of the biological parents and their children will not be restricted.