First, children in foster care are frequently behind …show more content…
The foster care system has higher rates of pregnancy than general population youth. Using data from a longitudinal study of 325 older youth from the foster care system, a study led by Matta Oshima, Karen M., Sarah Carter Narendorf, and J. Curtis McMillen showed “the pregnancy rate increased by 300% between ages 17 and 19. At 19, 55% of females had been pregnant, while 23% of males had fathered a child”. Youth exiting the foster care system through emancipation are at an increased risk for homelessness. They have nowhere to go after foster care. According to Dworsky, Amy, Laura Napolitano, and Mark Courtney in "Homelessness During The Transition From Foster Care To Adulthood," between 31% and 46% of their study participants had been homeless at least once by age 26 years. Youths from foster care are unprepared for the realities of life challenges. Due to a life marked by traumatic experiences, foster care youths frequently lack of the basic living skills necessary for successful independence such as, keeping appointments, managing a bank account, finding housing, cooking meals, and driving a car (Williams 59). On the other hand, the Walls children were studied all of the basic skills. They fed, clothed, and learned to take care of themselves; even they found their way to go to New York. Their Mom Rose taught them that they could not depend on anyone, such as the way to survive in the desert, the way to drink …show more content…
According to a study led by Dr. Seiler, children living in foster care had a significantly higher rate of mental health, posttraumatic stress disorder, displayed greater behavioral and emotional problems, and reported a lower health-related quality of life. Moreover, the trauma would prevent the children with social adaptation. If the Walls children are taken to foster care, most likely, they would have to separate and that mental trauma would come belong with them forever. Maureen Wall, youngest child of the Walls family, is an example. “She spent so much time with the families of her friends that she often didn’t seem like a member of our family.” (Walls 206). She never learns to take care of herself, mentally unstable and at the end, she was sent to a mental institution. The Walls children had to endure hunger, dangerous situations, and homelessness, but at the end, the numerous hardships in life help the children to become successful and achieve their