Being in fosterage : an exploration of the experiences of Ghanaian children and youth

Abstract

This thesis is based on a six month fieldwork in Accra, Ghana. It explores the diverse experiences of children and youth in fosterage in Ghana. I have looked into the place of fostered children within family networks. And analysed how they move within and between family networks, and maintain and create family relations and bonds of relatedness. I explore the position of fostered children within intergenerational contracts, and argue that their position and their welfare and experience of being in fosterage is significantly influenced by their relation to the foster-parents, and the relationships between the adults within the family network. I show how the position in negotiations with seniors is also determined by the age, gender and socio-economic status of the fostered child. With empirical examples I show how the factors of age, gender and socio-economic status, and the place of the fostered children and youth within the family network all affects to what extent the fostered have possibilities to impact on their own and others life. The analysis of the children’s agency is based on the concept of navigation, where the focus is on the children and youth’s choices and actions within a changing environment where they continuously consider their short term and long term needs as well as dreams. The concept of ‘thin’ and ‘thick’ agency is used to acknowledge the agency of this navigation, but also to take into consideration the cultural as well as economic aspects that limit the agency of children and youth in Ghana.