Rite Of Passage

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When a young person celebrates their 18th birthday it marks the beginning of their journey into adulthood. It signifies their ability to vote, obtain certain jobs, prepare to graduate from high school and enter a college or trade school, ability to enlist in the military, watch “R” rated movies in the theater without parental guidance, and in some cases, buy cigarettes on their own legally. Turning 21 years old for a young person becomes more exciting as they are possibly finishing up college, able to drink legally, established a network of social support outside of their families, and working towards their career path. Some of the entitlements previously mentioned are in a sense considered a rite of passage that gradually leads to complete …show more content…

Cunningham and Diversi (2012) states that “ policy prompts emancipation from foster care at age 18 in most states, with limited number of states extending services to 21” (p. 588). According to Lee and Berrick (2014) “youth aging out of care often do not have parental, financial or ancillary support to safely return to upon exiting the system” (p. 78). It doesn’t matter if this time of transition is taken to develop skills to obtain stable employment, establish a strong support system for yourself, or even to secure housing because once your 21st birthday arrives, you will be on your own. There are many children that enter into care on a yearly basis that will potentially remain in care if they are not adopted or reunified with their families. My literature review will explore the concept of transitioning out of foster care. The child welfare system has become a custodial parent to many children that grow into young adults, which should mean that these individuals will have been provided with support and afforded every opportunity

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