寄養家庭究竟是提供了受虐孩童一個庇護所在,抑或只是另一個暴力陷阱?相對於
美國由五○年代起對家庭寄養照護的系列探討,臺灣社工學界對這個重要的兒保議題卻著墨
不多。本文根據作者在民國八十五年的研究調查發現,檢視家庭寄養服務在臺灣之運作,及
其對受虐孩童之意涵。除了瞭解他們的挫敗 (資訊不足、提前結束寄養 )、困擾、並希冀委
託機構提供的實質協助; 也探討他們與孩童的互動內涵 (稱謂、教養項目、談論議題、對原
生家庭觀感等 ),及其對孩童可能的影響。由於對親子關係的看法也可能於有意無意間影響
寄養父母與受虐孩的互動,故而進一步檢視「親情天賦」、「母親 -- 守護天使或是施虐者
? 」、「低社經家庭 -- 潛在施虐者? 」等親職迷思,並討論其兒保意涵。鑑於臺灣地區長
久以來的區域發展不均衡,也希望藉某些現象的分區討論能凸顯各地區問題的差異性。寄養
照護的設計原走有時限的,寄養家庭提供受虐孩童生活照顧之餘,與孩童的情感依附究竟含
成為長遠規劃的助力或阻力? 文末提出社工員可如何透過「充權」 (enpowerment) 原則,
預備孩童面對日後的重返原生家庭或其他長遠規劃安置。
teraction with the abused
child. The myths of parenting, such as "born parent", "mother--guarding angel or
abuser", "low SES family--potential abuser" and the implication of these myths
to child protection are also examined. Recognizing the uneven development in
different regions in Taiwan, this study also attempts to make a note on the
significant variation in these regional problems. Although foster care is
time-limited, it is speculated that the attachment between foster parents and
child could either be an enhancement or barrier to the long-term plan for the
child. Finally, some empowerment guidelines are proposed to social workers in
preparing the abused children for reunion with original families or for
permanency placement planning.