To make matters worse, when a child is in need of placement, the institutional slot is likely to be used first because the bed is already paid for. An additional danger of this approach is that these institutions become self perpetuating. Once an institution is open, it is not likely to close. Once it is full, it is easy for institution operators to build more institutions to keep up with the demand for open beds. Children are abused in family foster care.
Horror stories abound in the child welfare system.
Children returned to birth parents are murdered, children are sexually abused in foster homes, state-operated institutions run prostitution rings. Anyone promoting institutional care because children are abused in foster homes must acknowledge similar and worse abuses in institutions of all types. This right should not be denied or compromised. Family is at the core of child development and lifetime relationships.