Vexed Bermoothes

Bermuda’s social services are reporting a burgeoning need for foster parents.  Given the tiny size of our local community, the numbers are horrifying:

Last year 148 children were taken into foster care across the island — an increase of six per cent on the year before. Already this year 116 children have been placed with foster families…

The reunification rate of foster children with their biological parents also hit a new low in 2009. Just 17 youngsters were returned to their parents after spending time with a foster family.  This compares with 26 children in 2008 and 22 in 2007.

Foster parents are Bermuda’s true heroes.

Bermuda’s biggest issue is the collapse of the nuclear family.  So many of our other problems – from education to crime – are related to it.  This should be one of the highest priorities for Bermuda.  We should be emphasizing the benefits of marriage and the responsibilities of good childcare constantly.  Quite simply, too many Bermudian kids (more than 6,000 by some estimates) are growing up in single parent households where, no matter the love and good intent, they are at a disadvantage in starting life.

Read my past thoughts on this.