Argumentative Essay

Alona Ebo

08 May 2012

English II

Ms. McKoy- 3

Argumentative Essay

My eyes were red and swollen and immense tears poured out of them as the police showed up. My Mom remained downstairs and my sister and I stayed upstairs. The police trudged up the stairs talking on their radios and speaking to Dispatch about a social worker. That night I did not think that anything could get any worse than it already was. Our room door echoes a knock, and we begin to tremble. We open the door and there stands two police officers; we let them in the room. He introduces himself and states why he is here. Our Mom called the police. He asked an enormous amount of questions, listened to voicemails Mom left on our phones, and then he made his decision. He goes downstairs and calls a man named Mr. Ned to our room. He tells us that he will be transporting us to a different home. On April 4, 2010, my life and my world turned upside down. It was then I realized that I have no parents; I belong to the state.

            What does “belonging to the state,” mean? A child placed into foster belongs to the state because they are not with a family member or adopted. The Department of Social Services (DSS) provides guardians to take care of the children until they are on their own. What will these youth do when they are on their own? In figure 1, the aging out rate fell below 28,000, but 11 percent of those are not with a permanent family or in a permanent home. In the text “Child Protection and Child Outcomes: Measuring the Effects of Foster Care,” by Joseph J. Doyle, Jr. states that” those placed in foster care are far more likely than are other children to commit crimes, drop out of school, join welfare, experience substance abuse problems, or enter the homeless population.” (pg.1). These factors cause serious issues when it is time for independency. With more independent living advocacy programs, these children will receive the proper independent living skills required for survival.

            Education is one of the most difficult challenges for children in foster care. When first placed in foster care, I felt that since I had everything taken from me that there was no use in trying to apply myself in school. It turns out that I needed to apply myself more than I thought. In the text “National Facts about Children in Foster Care” by Foster Care Alumni Association (FCAA), 54 percent of youth graduate from high school and 2 percent of those go for a higher degree or graduate with a degree.

In the text “Educating Children in Foster Care” by the National State Conference of Legislatures,

Children and youth in foster care face significant barriers to positive educational experiences and academic achievement. Studies indicate, however, that children and youth in foster care, compared to similar children who are not in foster care, have higher rates of school transfer, school absence or tardiness, and suspension and expulsion. They are more likely to receive poor grades, be placed in more restrictive classrooms, perform below grade level, be retained a grade, and receive low scores on state testing. Studies suggest that they are less likely to do their homework, receive help with schoolwork, enroll in college preparatory courses, receive a high school diploma, or participate in post-secondary education. Several factors have been found to contribute to these negative educational experiences, including:

• Numerous placement changes, which frequently result in school changes and delays in school enrollment;

• Unclear lines of responsibility and accountability for educational progress;          

• Lack of coordination between child welfare agencies, schools, and other service providers; and

• Lack of a consistent and knowledgeable educational advocate.

            (National State Conference of Legislatures, page 3 & 4)

Education for youth is one of the most important factors that affect the youth’s future. The amount of education you have can determine what kind of career you have in the future. If the youth do not have a higher education, living becomes more difficult. The youth will have to settle for a something less just to “get by”. Sometimes, that is not enough. The struggle of taking care of yourself and worrying about whether you will be laid off or fired causes stress. Many people cannot handle being under stress.

Many critics believe that there are too many children in foster care and that foster care is anything but a safe haven for these children. Critics also believe that guardians sign up to take care of these youth every month not only for the money, but also for other reasons. The article Adoption: Single With Parents says explains that there are many cons as to why single parents should not be able to adopt or take in foster care children. (Family Education, 1) The article Health Policy planning states that foster care does not do well in providing the needs for the youth in the system. Education is one of the primary sources that are important in a youth’s life. What more does the state as a whole have to do to ensure that learning is the youth is retaining the information properly?

            This paper is important to me because it relates to my personal experience. I did not realize when I was young how important education and socials skills were. The youth take the importance of education and socials skills lightly. Many parents do not stress the importance of grades, which is why many think that a “C” is enough to get by.

 Social skills and education are part of your everyday survival needs. This paper brings out the significance of how much education and social skills help you in life.  The most money thrown away each year is from education. You do not want to be the person thinking about regrets and the “where did I go wrongs.” Having a successful life driven by a great education and good communication gets you far in life. Imagine how well the economy would progress having the knowledge to create a system that aids the flow of money in and out. Education and social skills produce success. Being successful proves you can go above and beyond in life.