Tuesday Term: Permanency

This column will be the discussion of a term that is used in child welfare or adoption.

Much is said about permanency in child welfare. It is the #1 case made for promoting legal adoptions and the goal of state child and family services. What does permanency mean and is this a realistic concept? The argument goes like this: Children need and deserve permanent placements and that is the goal whether that be through family reunification or adoption. A child growing up in foster care, group home or orphanage is considered in need of permanency. In fact, the comprehensive needs of the child are often overlooked or disregarded in order to get them into a so-called permanent placement.

Permanency, it is argued, provides the child with a safety net and on the warm fuzzy side, a Hallmark-esque family. We ask the question, how often are adoptive placements truly permanent? Many adoptions dissolve. It is a reality. Many children who are adopted are later kicked out of their homes and families as soon as they reach adulthood. Some due to lack of bonding on the part of the family or the child, problematic behavior or other clashes are never welcomed back. Doesn’t sound very permanent does it? Older children sometimes never sever bonds with their original families. They may reconnect and continue a relationship in adulthood. Isn’t that a permanent attachment? Let’s call a spade a spade. Permanency is just another term used by the adoption industry to promote legal adoption. In reality, “permanency” as a concept is a way to shuffle responsibility unto someone else until a child reaches adulthood. Until and unless good, solid placements that truly meet the needs of the child are sought, not the needs of the adopting family, high placement numbers for the State or hefty bank accounts for agencies, why don’t we get rid of the false concept of permanency?

REFORM Puzzle Piece

Our Tuesday Terms are part of REFORM Talk’s PAP and AP educational portfolio.