She is a young, single mother who is
unable to care for her children. One
social worker is busy buckling her children into the vehicle outside, preparing
to drive them to various foster homes around the county. A police officer stands in the doorway, a
show of strength in case this emotional situation escalates and gets out of
hand. Another social worker is
attempting to ask her questions for a form that she is filling out, questions
that, despite their basic nature, she is suddenly incapable of
comprehending. It’s a parent’s worst
nightmare.
One of the questions the social
worker asks takes her momentarily by surprise: “Do you have any family members that
we can contact, people who might be able and willing to care for your children?” After thinking for a second, she shakes her
head. Regrettably, she can not think of anyone
who might be able to help.
What? Not a single family member? Why? What
about the children’s grandparents or aunts and uncles? Where are the extended family members whose
role it should be to support each other through difficult circumstances? Does she really have no one?
