Changing the Narrative: Surveying the public's perception of youth in foster care and adoptive care.
Peace4Kids x ROCMove have engaged in ongoing academic research to measure the extent of implicit biases toward youth and adults from foster care (YAFC) and their negative impacts.
Authors: Zaid Gayle, Dr. Leslie Ponciano, Dr. Erica L. Snow, Dr. Akin Abioye, Dr. Noah Nash
Purpose
These reports capture the emerging research into implicit biases surrounding foster care and the challenge to ultimately transform perceptions and outcomes for youth today, and tomorrow.
Overview: Part One
In "Changing the Narrative: Part One (2019)", the driving question is what factors impact people’s perceptions of youth in foster and their portrayal in the media?
This report sets the stage by defining “bias”, “foster care”, and exploring the public's associations with youth in foster care locally. Data were collected primarily through focus groups with key stakeholders, and survey garnered more than 2,000 respondents.
Our ongoing research is the evidence-based foundation for professional development training targeting the education and social service sectors to change the narrative about youth in care.
Overview: Part Two
In "Changing the Narrative: Part Two (2021)" we build on our earlier findings with original research into the public's perceptions of youth in both foster and adoptive care.
The study also illuminated persistent differences between perceptions of youth with foster care experience when compared to adoptive care across media types.
Specifically, the study inquires into the following questions:
Does the amount, type, and genre of media consumption influence the negative perceptions of youth in foster care?
Is there a difference in the perceptions of youth in foster care vs adoptive care?
Do these perceptions/biases influence expectations for the life outcomes of youth in foster care and adoptive care?
Part Two also utilized a survey that yielded approximately 2,500 responses nationally. Key findings point to direct correlation between media consumption and working mental models of expected life outcomes for youth in foster care.
Resources: Download Reports
Below are links to download "Changing the Narrative" Research Executive Summary Reports. We encourage you to read, digest, and share.
📒 Download Part Two (2021)
📕 Download Part One (2019)
Watch Virtual Presentation
Part of our research team gave a virtual research presentation titled "Contributions of Media Consumption, Media Type, and Media Genre to Polarizing Perceptions of Foster and Adoptive Care" (2021) available for viewing below.
