A Study of Parent-child Interaction and Support System in The Foster Family－from Foster Father’s Perspective

[[abstract]]This study aimed to explore the interactions of foster father (who are the primary caregivers of parents foster families) and foster children, and foster father’s support systems. Then, understand the foster family operation to let the father become the primary caregiver. Last but not the least, hope to promote the public to join the foster families and to enhance the foster families continue their service.This study uses qualitative method to interview five foster fathers who are the primary caregivers understand their parental experience of caring foster children.1. In parent-child interaction(1) In psychological Interaction, no matter the length of time In foster care, five foster fathers and foster children have a good relationship in emotional, and when foster children leave, their foster father get affected inside their heart a lot. Second, any change and grow up from foster children, their foster father seem these are payback from take care of them. In the end from the put everything into action, showing how foster father take care of child in every possible way a lot.(2) In physical interaction, five foster fathers and foster children already get along for a long time, so the frequency of interaction between them is also very high. When foster fathers get along with the foster children, they would start some activities with foster children, and chat with foster children as well.(3) In parenting style, for schoolwork, some foster fathers would take an open minded on it. They won't demanding on their schoolwork; others do ask them to do homework, but not require their score. When the foster children make mistake, the foster father would tell them why this is wrong or use unique way to teach them. At last, the foster father would give them some rewards, no matter in material or in behavioral way; on the other hand, punishment is choose something that foster children do not like to do or blame them and left standing.2. In support systems(1) Foster father's informal support systems from family, relatives, friends, neighbors, school teachers and other foster parents; formal support systems from the agencies, social workers and professional books.(2) Foster father thinks support systems can help them to stay positive, smoothly time arrange and resolve foster children’s question.3. Become foster family’s process and family functioning(1) The motivation become foster family from personal factors and job factors; and there has three different ways to become one: Introduced by relatives and friends, invited by professionals and applied by himself.(2) Flexible working time and no additional work made foster father a primary caregiver. Roles between husband and wife, some foster fathers usually play good cup to maintain good interaction with the foster children, and foster mothers to play bad cup. Finally, distribution of the work to take care of, some foster fathers are responsible for all the care work, others to take the division of labor with foster mothers.In conclusion, the researcher gives suggestions to relevant organizations andgovernments based on the study result, and also indicates the directions of futurestudies