foster care

USAGE SUMMARY

'foster care' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to refer to a situation in which a child is put under the care of individuals outside of their family (usually with the aim of providing them with a stable and supportive home). For example, "The children were taken into foster care when their parents could no longer provide for them."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Foster care caseloads growing?

The New York Times

Baby Put in Foster Care".

The New Yorker

Foster care is overwhelmed.

The Washington Post

By 14, he was in foster care.

The New York Times

He returned to foster care in 2009.

The New York Times

She adopted two children in foster care.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Foster Carer for Swiss Foster Care Leeds.

The Guardian

Massachusetts kicked off National Foster Care Month with its second Re-Envisioning Foster Care Conference.

HuffPost

"I firmly believe: Once a Foster Care Kid Always a Foster Care Kid" – Kevin Y . Brown

Huffington Post

Belfer ML, Fine P. Foster Care.

Harvard University

Sex Trafficking: How I Survived Foster Care.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about "foster care", consider the specific context. Is it about the system, an individual's experience, or the need for reform? Tailor your language to reflect this focus.

Common error

Avoid generalizing the experiences of children in "foster care". Each child's story is unique, and broad statements can perpetuate harmful stereotypes. Focus on individual stories and specific data.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "foster care" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It refers to a specific system and arrangement for child care, as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "foster care" is a widely used and grammatically sound noun phrase referring to the temporary placement of children in a care setting outside of their birth family. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. While the phrase is most prevalent in news and media contexts, it also appears in scientific and formal communications. When discussing "foster care", it's important to avoid generalizations and be mindful of individual experiences. Alternatives such as "out-of-home care" or "child welfare system" may be appropriate depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Family foster care

More specific type of foster care that indicates children are living with a family, adding clarity.

Substitute care

Emphasizes the temporary nature of the care provided; mostly interchangeable.

Out-of-home care

Refers to a broader category that includes foster care, residential treatment and kinship care; changes scope slightly.

Temporary guardianship

Highlights the legal aspect of care; emphasizes duration.

Protective custody

Implies that the child is taken into care for their safety; indicates immediacy.

Child protective services

Focuses on the government agency responsible for child welfare, including foster care; implies intervention.

Child welfare system

Focuses on the overall system designed to protect children, including foster care; broad term.

Caregiving for children

Highlights the act of providing care, applicable in various settings; broader term.

Children's aid

Broader term for providing assistance to children in need; less specific.

Residential care

Refers to care provided in a group home or institution, as opposed to a family home; changes setting.

FAQs

How is "foster care" typically used in a sentence?

"Foster care" is generally used to describe the temporary placement of children in a home other than their own, like in the sentence "The child was placed in "foster care" after concerns about neglect."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "foster care"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "out-of-home care", "substitute care", or refer to the "child welfare system".

Is it appropriate to use the term "foster care" when referring to kinship care?

While kinship care (care by relatives) is a type of out-of-home placement, it's more accurate to specify "kinship care" to distinguish it from "foster care" with non-relatives.

What's the difference between "foster care" and adoption?

"Foster care" is temporary, with the goal of reunification with the family if possible. Adoption is a permanent legal process that transfers all parental rights to the adoptive parents. Children can be adopted out of "foster care".