Minorities are more likely to end up in Foster care

In Oregon, a study was done that showed the child abuse rate for Whites and minorities is virtually the same. Forty-one percent of Oregon children endure some type of child abuse. Out of the minorities, the abuse rates for Native Americans was high and the abuse rate for Latino was the lowest out of all of the minorities. In fact, Native Americans are six times more likely to be placed in foster care than Whites and Blacks are four times more likely; this isn't just the case in Oregon, it is throughout the country. Native Americans and Blacks usually are not returned to their families, and if they are they spend more time in the system. Latinos are returned to their families more often than other races. A study done by Portland University, showed that some minorities are disproportionally represented in the system. Multnomah, an Oregon county, is trying to change the way juvenile judges look at cases, to decrease racial bias. These statistics are spell binding. Racism plays a huge part into which children are placed in the system. It also affects how the judges, which ultimately affects how many children are taken into foster care. Though it is nice to know that something is being done to change this I wonder how long will it take? What is being done, exactly? How many more children have to spend their lives in foster care simply because of the color of their skin? States all around the country should be trying to change their foster care systems as well.

~Courtesy of Michelle Cole, OregonLive.com