Foster Parenting in the era of the Corona Virus: Dynamics of Gender, Age and Social Work Practice in South Africa
Foster Parenting in the era of the Corona Virus: Dynamics of Gender, Age and Social Work Practice in South Africa

Summary/Abstract: This paper analyses the psycho-social dynamics of gender, age and foster parenting in the era of the corona virus in South Africa to provide the practice status quo and uncertainties. In the era of the corona virus pandemic, child protection services through foster care have been adversely affected. Narrative literature review was employed using thematic analysis to critically discuss psycho-social dynamics in South Africa of age, gender and foster care amid the covid19 pandemic. The findings presented foster care as an intervention of choice for social workers for child protection and gender skewed towards older females who are adversely affected by the corona virus due to chronological age and poverty. Due to adherence to social distancing and self-isolation, social work activities were controlled adding woes to foster care processes. The conclusions drawn are that age, gender, foster care and the corona virus have an intricate relationship. When professional social work activities are controlled due to the Covid-19 pandemic, untold psycho-social and socioeconomic strain is inevitable for foster parents and children which then prompt special interventions.

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