The Effect of Foster Care on Partner Relationships in Foster Families

Družina kot osnovna celica družbe danes še vedno velja za najpomembnejši element človekovega razvoja. Ne gre pa zanikati, da so družbene spremembe vodile v njene premike v smer pluralizacije družinskih oblik in družinskega življenja, kar se odraža tudi v vse večjem pojavu socialnega starševstva. Ena izmed najpogostejših oblik le-tega pri nas je institut rejništva. Gre za neinstitucionalno varstvo otrok in oseb, ki začasno ne morejo živeti v svoji matični družini. Del rejnikov v Sloveniji se dodatno odloča za opravljanje rejniške dejavnosti kot edinega poklica, pri čemer zaradi specifične strukture dela poklicno in družinsko okolje nenehno sovpadata. Takemu poklicu je podvržena celotna družinska dinamika, še posebej pa partnerski odnos znotraj rejniške družine. Zaključno delo je razdeljeno na teoretični in empirični del, ki osvetljujeta izvajanje rejniške dejavnosti v Sloveniji. Izpostavlja se poklicno rejništvo ter vpliv tega socialnovarstvenega ukrepa na partnerske odnose znotraj rejniških družin. Izsledki raziskave kažejo, da partner poklicnemu rejniku predstavlja pomemben vir opore in pomočipri tem je bolj kot ne ključna tudi njegova usposobljenost za pomoč pri rejnikovem poklicu. Kljub temu da poklicni rejniki opravljajo delo od doma, ne smemo trditi, da zato lahko partnerju posvetijo več časa. Ugotavlja se, da tovrstni poklic omogoča večjo povezanost, boljšo komunikacijo ter brani pred odtujitvijo v partnerskem odnosu. Izzove pa nestrinjanja, povezana z rejnikovim delom. Zaključimo lahko, da izvajanje rejniške dejavnosti kot edinega poklica ob vzajemnem trudu pozitivno vpliva na partnerski odnos.Family, as the basic unit of society, is still considered as the most important element of human development today. It is undeniable, however, that social changes have led to its shift towards the pluralization of family forms and family life. This has become evident in the growing phenomenon of social parenting. One of the most common types of social parenting in our country is foster care – a form of help and non-institutional care for children and persons who are temporarily unable to live with their immediate families. Some foster parents in Slovenia decide to work in the foster care system professionally, facing a specific work structure where workplace and family environment constantly coincide. Family dynamics within the foster families are thus subject to such profession – in particular partner relationships. The thesis is divided into the theoretical and empirical part where Slovenian foster care system is highlighted. The area of professional foster care and the impact that this social protection measure has on partnership relationships within foster families is especially emphasized. The research findings show that foster parent’s partner is an important source of support and help when it comes to their work and the partner’s ability to assist is more or less crucial. Despite the fact that foster parents, who manage foster care as the only profession, work from home, it cannot be claimed claim that they can devote more time to their partner. The study findings suggest that this type of profession leads to greater connection and better communication in partner relationships while also defending against partner alienation. However, it also provokes disagreements related to foster parents’ work. It is concluded that the implementation of foster care as the only profession has, through mutual efforts, a positive impact on partner relationships