fostering and adoption in montenegro

Fostering and adoption in Montenegro

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Table of contents

• Methodology

• Sample

• Awareness of forms of protecting children without parental care

• Foster care and adoption in Montenegro

• Attitudes toward foster care and adoption

• Experience and interest in foster care and adoption

• Communication channels

2

Methodology Ad hoc face-to-face survey with interviewing performed at respondents’ home

• Data collected on representative sample for population of Montenegro citizens aged 18 and more

• Target population size is 474 655

• Sample size is 1016 (with 127 sampling points)

• Sample type is stratified 3-staged probability sample with sampling stages :

Polling station territory – approximately size of 200 HH (PPS with probabilities proportional to size)

Households by random route technique starting from the given addresses (SRSWoR)

Households member with same probability (SRSWoR) – Kish scheme

Stratification is done according to

Type of settlement – urban/rural

Four geo-economical regions

Post stratification is performed regarding: gender, age, type of settlement, geo-economical region

Fieldwork control is done in 12% of totally interviewed in all strata proportionally to sample size, and logic and consistency control of collected data is performed in 100% of cases

• Data collection is performed from 1st to 15th December 2012

• 95% confidence interval for incidence of 5% is +/- 1.2%



3

48%52%

23%20%

18%

26%

14%

23%

58%

19%

28%

48%

24%

64%

36%

Ma

le

Fe

ma

le

18

-29

30

-39

40

-49

50

-64

65

+

Ele

me

nta

rysc

ho

ol

Se

con

da

rysc

ho

ol

Co

lleg

e o

ru

niv

ers

ity

No

rth

Ce

nte

r

So

uth

Urb

an

Oth

er

Gender Age Education Stratum Type of settlement

Sample

4

Awareness of forms of protecting children

without parental care

5

Providing support by the state for families/individual persons who are at risk of abandoning the child

Yes17%

Don't know

5%

No78%

12%

10%

6%

4%

3%

3%

52%Center for social work

State / state institutions

Municipality

Safe House

Family / relatives/ closepersons

NGO

Montenegrin Government

Do you think that the state helps sufficiently family/individual person/mother who are at risk of

abandoning the child due to various problems/circumstances?

To whom such family / individual / mother can turn for help?

Base: Total target population.Do you think that the state helps sufficiently family/individual person/mother who are at risk of abandoning the child due to various problems circumstances?

Multiple responses; Base: Total target population.To whom such family / individual / mother can turn for help?

Open ended

6

Providing support by the state for families/individual persons who are at risk of abandoning the child – the state helps sufficiently

17 16 17 16

11

1816

24 25

15

12

18

12

17

21

1817

14 14

22

Tota

l

Mal

e

Fem

ale

18-2

9

30-3

9

40-4

9

50-6

4

65+

Elem

enta

ry s

choo

l

Seco

ndar

y sc

hool

Colle

ge o

r Uni

vers

ity

Less

than

100

EU

R

101-

200

EUR

Mor

e th

an 2

00 E

UR

Refu

se to

ans

wer

Nor

th

Cent

er

Sout

h

Urb

an

Oth

er

% those who think that the state helps sufficiently

Base: Total target population.Do you think that the state helps sufficiently family/individual person/mother who are at risk of abandoning the child due to various problems circumstances? 7

Providing support by the state for families/individual persons who are at risk of abandoning the child – the state helps sufficiently

17

20

1514

29

11 11

Tota

l

Low

aw

aren

ess

of fo

ster

car

e

Mod

erat

eaw

aren

ess

offo

ster

car

e

Hig

h aw

aren

ess

of fo

ster

car

e

Low

aw

aren

ess

of a

dopti

on

Mod

erat

eaw

aren

ess

ofad

opti

on

Hig

h aw

aren

ess

of a

dopti

on

% those who think that the state helps sufficiently

Base: Total target population.Do you think that the state helps sufficiently family/individual person/mother who are at risk of abandoning the child due to various problems circumstances? 8

The reasons for the separation of the child from the family

48%

47%

25%

20%

1%

1%

58%Poor financial situation and

family's living conditions

Family violence

Negligence and reluctance ofparents to raise their children

Illness of parents

Insufficient support of state andcompetent institutions

Other

Don't know

Multiple responses; Base: Total target population.Why do you think that children are usually separated from family?

9

Mentioned forms of protection of children without adequate parental care by the state

68%

35%

27%

2%

1%

1%

69%Placing the child in social and childprotection institutions (children's

homes - large residential institutions)

Adoption

Foster care

Guardianship

Other

None

Don't know / Refuse

Multiple responses; Base: Total target population.To start with, please try to recall all forms of protection and ways the state can use to provide for or protect children without parents and without proper parental care?

10

Knowledge about foster care

Base: Total target population.All things considered, how informed do you consider yourself about foster care – what it involves, what the legal regulations and procedures are like..?

26%

45%

71%

25%

4%

3%

1%

I don't know anythingabout foster care

I know a little about foster care

I KNOW LITTLE

I know something aboutfoster care

I KNOW A LOT

I know much about fostercare

I know very much about foster care

11

Knowledge about foster care

Base: Total target population.All things considered, how informed do you consider yourself about foster care – what it involves, what the legal regulations and procedures are like..?

4 4 4 4 4 5 71 3 8

2 1 4 5 3 5

71 7567 72

66 69 66

8780

72

56

73 70 6676 72 71 69 72 68

4 1 4 2

Tota

l

Mal

e

Fem

ale

18-2

9

30-3

9

40-4

9

50-6

4

65+

Elem

enta

ry s

choo

l

Seco

ndar

y sc

hool

Colle

ge o

r Uni

vers

ity

Less

than

100

EU

R

101-

200

EUR

Mor

e th

an 2

00 E

UR

Refu

se to

ans

wer

Nor

th

Cent

er

Sout

h

Urb

an

Oth

er

% I know a lot (4+5) % I know little (1+2)

12

Perception of foster care

20%

10%

8%

6%

5%

3%

2%

5%

24%

27%Caring for a child, helping a child

Temporarily caring for a child, helping a child

Temporary accommodation / care about the child inown home

Accommodation/ care of the child in own home

Child support (provision of food, clothing and shoesfor the child / child education expenses)

Receiving monthly compensation from the state forthe care of the child

Taking care of the child's education and health

The same/ similar to adoption

Other

Don't know / Refuse

Multiple responses; Base: Total target population.In your opinion, what is adoption?

Open ended

13

Perception of foster care

Base: Total target population.Now I will read to you some statements. Please tell me whether you think that they are right or not.

81

71

64

57

49

43

42

32

26

14

10

17

11

10

23

24

25

30

32

14

9

12

25

33

28

32

33

38

42

71

Foster care is temporary care of the child

Foster parents have the responsibility to provide conditions for optimaldevelopment of the child and prepare him/her for independent life and

work

Foster parent can be both a relative or a stranger to a child

Foster parent can be a total stranger to the child

Biological parents of the child accommodated in foster family have theright and obligation to maintain personal relations with the child

Foster care must provide permanency of relations with biological family

Biological parents of the child accommodated in foster family have theright and obligation to make decisions important for the child together

with foster parents

Biological parents of the child accommodated in foster family have theright and obligation to support the child

Biological parents of the child accommodated in foster family have theright and obligation to manage and dispose of child's property

Foster parent must be the child's relative

% Yes % Don't know / No answer % No

14

Knowledge about adoption

Base: Total target population.All things considered, how informed do you consider yourself about adoption – what it involves, what the legal regulations and procedures are like..?

12%

44%

56%

39%

6%

5%

1%

I don't know anythingabout adoption

I know a little about adoption

I KNOW LITTLE

I know something aboutadoption

I KNOW A LOT

I know much about adoption

I know very much about adoption

25

Knowledge about adoption

6 6 6 4 7 8 93 5

105 2 7 8 5 7

56 55 56 56 54 5846

7364

58

38

59 61

4655

6354 51 54 58

7 2 6 5

Tota

l

Mal

e

Fem

ale

18-2

9

30-3

9

40-4

9

50-6

4

65+

Elem

enta

ry s

choo

l

Seco

ndar

y sc

hool

Colle

ge o

r Uni

vers

ity

Less

than

100

EU

R

101-

200

EUR

Mor

e th

an 2

00 E

UR

Refu

se to

ans

wer

Nor

th

Cent

er

Sout

h

Urb

an

Oth

er

% I know a lot (4+5) % I know little (1+2)

Base: Total target population.All things considered, how informed do you consider yourself about adoption – what it involves, what the legal regulations and procedures are like..? 26

Perception of adoption

19%

13%

10%

9%

6%

4%

3%

1%

1%

1%

12%

37%Accepting the child as own child/ as a family member

Permanent / constant / full care, custody of a childwithout parental care

Custody / protection/ care of children without parentalcare/ humanity

Establishment of kinship relationship between the childand the adoptive parent

Adoption / acceptance of children (other people'schildren, orphans…)

Providing all conditions to the child (love, upbringing,education...)

Adoption when married couples do not have biologicalchildren

Legally regulated child care/ obligation towards thechild

Care of a child without receiving compensation from thestate

Temporary adoption / till adulthood / similar to fostercare

Other

Don't know / Refuse

Multiple responses; Base: Total target population.In your opinion, what is adoption?

Open ended

27

Perception of adoption

Base: Total target population.Now I will read to you some statements. Please tell me whether you think that they are right or not.

79

77

71

60

60

44

17

13

13

6

12

7

8

24

25

37

11

13

6

9

9

16

21

16

16

19

72

75

81

84

Adopted child takes adoptive parents’ last name

It is possible to adopt a child who has parents, but parents who don’tprovide adequate parental care

With adoption kinship relationship is established between the child andadoptive parent, equal to blood relationship

In case of full adoption, biological parents are stripped of their rightsand responsibilities towards the child, unless adoptive parent is child’s

stepfather or stepmother

In case of full adoption, adoptive parents are registered as child’sparents in Birth Registry

There are full and partial adoption

Adoption means taking temporary care of the child

Adoptive parent must be a total stranger to the child

It is possible to adopt only a child without parents

Adoptive parent must be a relative of the child

% Yes % Don't know / No answer % No

28

Knowledge about foster care and adoption

45%

71%

25%

4%

3%

1%

44%

56%

39%

6%

5%

1%

26%

12%I don't know anything

I know a little

I KNOW LITTLE

I know something

I KNOW A LOT

I know much

I know very much Foster careAdoptionBase: Total target population.

All things considered, how informed do you consider yourself about foster care – what it involves, what the legal regulations and procedures are like..?All things considered, how informed do you consider yourself about adoption – what it involves, what the legal regulations and procedures are like..? 39

Perception of foster care and adoption

66%

64%

64%

22%

21%

3%

78%

71%

21%

57%

77%

1%

73%

83%Accepting the child in own home (the child lives with

other household members)

Taking care of upbringing, education and health ofthe child

Child support (provision of food, clothing and shoesto the child, bearing the costs of child's education)

Receiving monthly monetary compensation from thestate for the care of the child

Management and disposal of the child's property

Establishment of kinship relationship between foster/ adoptive parents and the child

Don't know Foster careAdoption

Multiple responses; Base: Total target population.In your opinion, which of the following means foster care, that is, what are the obligations of foster parent towards the child?And which of the following means adoption, that is, what are the obligations of adoptive parent towards the child?

40

Differences between fostering and adoption

15%

10%

6%

5%

2%

2%

1%

1%

4%

5%

28%

43%Foster care is temporary/ adoption is permanent

Adoption creates parental/ family relationship, childhas all the legal rights

Foster care includes compensation from the state/there is none for adoption

Adoption is more serious/ more responsible/ morecomplete raising of children

Foster care is care/ provides material needs

Foster care also encompasses children who haveparents, and adoption does not

Duration of the period

Adoption is associated with love, wish, and foster carewith financial profit

Adoptive parent can manage and dispose of child'sproperty

Other

No difference/ very similar

Don't know / Refuse

Multiple responses; Base: Total target population.In your opinion, what are the most distinctive differences between fostering and adoption as two forms of care for children without parents or without proper parental care?

Open ended

43

Conditions that the family/person must meet to be accepted as foster parent/adoptive parent – Marital status

Multiple responses; Base: Total target population.Which conditions must the family/person meet to be accepted as foster parent? Which conditions are acceptable? Which conditions must the family/person meet to be accepted as adoptive parent? Which conditions are acceptable?

12%

4%

32%

5%

8%

2%

19%

7%

57%

73%Married

Single (not married,widowed, divorced)

De facto marriage

Not a condition forfoster care/adoption

Don't know / Refuse

Foster careAdoption

45

Conditions that the family/person must meet to be accepted as foster parent/adoptive parent – age of foster parent/adoptive parent (from)

Base: Total target population.Which conditions must the family/person meet to be accepted as foster parent? Which conditions are acceptable? Which conditions must the family/person meet to be accepted as adoptive parent? Which conditions are acceptable?

11%

8%

17%

2%

2%

45%

9%

11%

8%

20%

4%

1%

41%

9%

5%

5%18

20

25

30

35

40


Don't know / Refuse

Foster careAdoption

48

Conditions that the family/person must meet to be accepted as foster parent/adoptive parent – age of foster parent/adoptive parent (to)


6%

3%

13%

3%

9%

3%

2%

47%

9%

8%

3%

16%

3%

10%

3%

2%

41%

11%

2%1%

30

40

45

50

55

60

65

70

Not a condition for foster care/adoption

Don't know / Refuse

Foster careAdoption

51

Conditions that the family/person must meet to be accepted as foster parent/adoptive parent – the age difference between the foster parent/adoptive parent and the child


4%

2%

17%

6%

4%

51%

13%

5%

3%

17%

7%

4%

46%

14%

2%

1%10

15

18

20

25

30


Don't know / Refuse

Foster careAdoption

54

Conditions that the family/person must meet to be accepted as foster parent/adoptive parent – housing conditions (ownership)

Multiple responses; Base: Total target population.Which conditions must the family/person meet to be accepted as foster parent? Which conditions are acceptable? Which conditions must the family/person meet to be accepted as adoptive parent? Which conditions are acceptable?

1%

35%

8%

1%

26%

9%

55%

65%

Owner of flat /house

Subtenant


Don't know / Refuse Foster careAdoption

57

Yes78%

Don't know

6%No

16%

Base: Total target population.Which institution is in charge of adoption and foster care processes?

Process of foster care and adoption

Do you think that all children without parental care, regardless of their personal characteristics (gender, age, nationality, mental health, physical

health…) can be adopted or placed in foster family?

Which institution is in charge of adoption and foster care processes?

7%

1%

1%

4%

86%Social welfare

center

Municipality

Primary healthcare center

Some otherinstitution

Don't know

Base: Total target population.Do you think that all children without parental care, regardless of their personal characteristics (gender, age, nationality, mental health, physical health…) can be adopted or placed in foster family?

60

Process of foster care and adoption

16 16 16 17

14 13

1817

22

15

11

22

1513

15

18

14

1816 16

Tota

l

Mal

e

Fem

ale

18-2

9

30-3

9

40-4

9

50-6

4

65+

Elem

enta

ry s

choo

l

Seco

ndar

y sc

hool

Colle

ge o

r Uni

vers

ity

Less

than

100

EU

R

101-

200

EUR

Mor

e th

an 2

00 E

UR

Refu

se to

ans

wer

Nor

th

Cent

er

Sout

h

Urb

an

Oth

er

% those who don't agree

Base: Total target population.Do you think that all children without parental care, regardless of their personal characteristics (gender, age, nationality, mental health, physical health…) can be adopted or placed in foster family? 61

Who would best take care of the child if parents can’t take care of the child?

12%

8%

3%

3%

74%The closest relatives(grandparents, aunts,

uncles, etc)

Family which is not arelative to the child ,

but which wouldadopt the child

Some of the state-owned social welfare

and child careinstitutions

Family which is not arelative to the child,but which would be

foster family

Don't know

Base: Total target population.If parents can not take care of the child (deceased or unable because of other reasons), who, in your opinion, would best take care of the child? 65

Yes58%

Don't know

5%

No37%

Base: Total target population.Do you think that a child growing up in an institution stands equal chances for growth and development as a child growing up in a family?

Placing children without parental care in institutions

Do you think that placing a child without parental care in an institution is adequate form of

protection?

Do you think that a child growing up in an institution stands equal chances for growth and development as a child growing up in a family?

Base: Total target population.Do you think that placing a child without parental care in an institution is adequate form of protection?

Yes37%

Don't know

5%

No58%

66

Relationship between the attitude towards the adequacy of placing children without parental care in institutions and their opportunities for growth and development

67

Base: Total target population.Do you think that placing a child without parental care in an institution is adequate form of protection?Do you think that a child growing up in an institution stands equal chances for growth and development as a child growing up in a family?

57

10

8

39

88

50

4

2

42

Yes

No

Don't know

Yes No Don't know

Do you think that a child growing up in an institution stands equal chances for growth and development as a child growing up in a family?

Do you think that placing a child

without parental care in an institution is adequate form of

protection?

67

Awareness of forms of protecting children without parental care

Majority of the citizens (78%) express attitude that the state doesn't help enough persons or families being in situation where likelihood of abandoning a child is increased. Higher than average percentage of the older citizens, aged 65+, those with lower education and the ones from rural areas of Montenegro think that the state provides adequate support to these persons. Additionally, the citizens who show low level of awareness about foster care share the opinion that the state provides sufficient help, in contrast to the citizens who are more aware of foster care, the higher percentage of whom think that the state doesn't do enough to make life easier to these families. Majority of the citizens (52%) state that Social Welfare Centre is an institution in which individuals or families under the risk of abandoning the child should turn for help.

The reasons why children are separated from family are poor financial situation and living conditions (58%), family violence (48%), as well as negligence and reluctance of parents to raise their children (47%).

The citizens think that the state can provide protection of children without appropriate parental care by placing the children in social welfare and child protection institutions (69%) and adoption (68%). Considerably lower percentage of the citizens mention other forms of protection such as foster care (35%) and guardianship (27%). In other words, foster care is not sufficiently familiar form of child protection for children without parental care, which means that additional efforts should be made to promote foster care.

To confirm the above statement is also the fact that citizens of Montenegro are not very familiar with foster care, which they admit; 45% of them state that they know a little about foster care, and another 26% claim to know nothing at all about foster care. One fourth of Montenegrin citizens claim to know something about foster care. Older citizens (65+ years) admit that they know little about foster care, in contrast to those with university education who claim the opposite.

68


As much as one fifth of the citizens are not able to specify what foster care is. Majority of them understand foster care as care for the child (27%), that is, as temporary care of the child (20%).

Majority of Montenegrin citizens state that foster care is temporary care of the child (81%), that foster parents have responsibility to provide conditions for optimal development of the child and prepare him/her for independent life and work (71%). While 71% of the citizens claim that foster parent need not be the child's relative and 64% of the citizens think that foster parent can be both a relative or a stranger to a child, smaller percentage of the citizens agree that foster parent can be a total stranger to the child (57%).

It is obvious that smaller percentage of the citizens are familiar with rights and obligations of biological parents whose children are placed in foster family, that is, with the fact that biological parents of the child placed in foster family have the right and obligation to maintain personal relations with the child (49%), make decisions important for the child together with foster parents (42%), support the child (32%), and manage and dispose of child's property (26%). In compliance with this, 43% of the citizens know that foster care must provide permanency of relations with biological family. Higher percentage of the citizens who are less informed about details of foster care are older and with lower education, while higher percentage of those with university education and above average income are more informed about the details of foster care.

69


When it comes to adoption, smaller percentage of citizens claim that they do not know anything about adoption (12%) in comparison to foster care (26%), while similar percentage of the citizens claim to know a little about adoption (44%). Nevertheless, the impression is that awareness about adoption is somewhat higher - namely, almost 40% of the citizens claim to know something about adoption. Once again, smaller percentage of the older citizens and those with lower education are aware about adoption facts.

Asked to state what the adoption is, citizens of Montenegro say that adoption means accepting the child as own family member (37%), as well as permanent and complete care of the child without parental care (19%). One out of ten citizens are not able to specify the meaning of adoption.

Majority of Montenegrin citizens are aware that adoptive parent need not be the child's relative (84%), that it is possible to adopt a child who has parents (81%), that adopted child takes adoptive parents’ last name (79%), that it is possible to adopt a child who has parents, but parents who don’t provide adequate parental care (77%), that adoptive parent need not be a total stranger to the child (75%), that adoption is not a temporary care about the child (72%), and in case of an adoption, kinship relationship is established between the child and adoptive parents, equal to blood relationship (71%). Somewhat lower percentage of the citizens (60%) are informed about the fact that, in case of full adoption, biological parents are stripped of their rights and responsibilities towards the child, as well as the fact that adoptive parents are registered as child’s parents in Birth Registry. Considerably lower percentage of the citizens (44%) are aware of the fact that adoption can be full or partial. Although smaller percentage of the citizens are informed only a little about the adoption details, still higher percentage of them are older and with lower education, and the opposite for highly educated citizens and those with above average income. 70


Majority of the citizens of Montenegro think that foster care means accepting the child in own home (73%), taking care and upbringing of the child, education and child’s health condition (66%), child support (provision of food, clothing and shoes to the child, bearing the costs of child's education) (64%), and receiving monthly financial compensation from the state for the care of the child (64%). One fifth of the citizens wrongly claim that foster care means management and disposal of the child's property (22%), and establishment of blood relations between foster parents and the child (21%).

When it comes to adoption, majority of the citizens correctly claim that it means accepting the child in own home (83%), establishment of blood relations between adoptive parents and the child (77%), taking care of the child (78%), and child support (71%). Smaller percentage of the citizens (57%) are aware that adoptive parents can manage and dispose of child's property, while one fifth of the citizens (21%) wrongly claim that adoptive parents receive monthly monetary compensation from the state for the care of the child.

The highest percentage of the citizens (43%) notice the difference in duration between foster care and adoption, claiming that foster care is temporary and adoption is permanent. However, almost one third of the citizens (28%) are not able to specify the difference between foster care and adoption, among whom higher percentage are the citizens with primary school or less, below average income citizens, as well as the citizens from north of Montenegro. Lower percentage of them are the citizens with university education, above average income and citizens from south of Montenegro.

71


Awareness of characteristics of foster care and adoption, their similarities and differences can further be improved. The data show that: More than one half of the citizens (57%) think that prerequisite for becoming foster

parents is marital status of parents, while as much as 73% of the citizens think that marital status is a prerequisite for adopting a child. One third of the citizens think that marital status is not a prerequisite for foster care, while one fifth of the citizens think the same about adoption.

When it comes to age, one fifths of the citizens correctly claim that adoptive parents must be at least 30 years old, while 16% of them correctly claim upper age limit for adoption (50 years of age).

One third of the citizens correctly claim that minimal difference in years between adoptive parent and child must be 18 years, and maximal difference can be 50 years.

About one third of the citizens claim that ownership of house or flat is not a prerequisite for foster care or adoption.

72


More than three fourths of the citizens (78%) correctly claim that all children without parental care can be adopted or placed in foster family regardless of their personal characteristics. Great majority of the citizens (86%) correctly perceive Social Welfare Centre as an institution in charge of adoption and foster care processes.

Majority of the citizens of Montenegro (74%) agree that it is the best option if the closest relatives take care of the child if parents are unable to do that. One out of ten citizens thinks that the best care of the child would be provided by family which is not a relative to the child, but which would be adoptive family, while 3% of the citizens think that foster family is the most adequate to take care of the child.

Attitudes of the citizens about adequacy of placing the child without parental care in an institution are divided; while 58% of the citizens think that placing a child in an institution is adequate, 37% disagree. When it comes to growth and development of a child, attitudes of the citizens are divided, since 37% of them think that child growing up in an institution stands equal chances for growth and development as a child growing up in a family, while 58% of the citizens think child growing up in an institution stands smaller chances for growth and development than a child growing up in a family.

73

Foster care and adoption in Montenegro

74

Motives for foster care

63%

58%

42%

30%

19%

7%

1%

76%Love for children and wish to help the child

Inability to have own children

Desire for fulfillment in the parenting role

Providing home and feeling of security tochildren who don't have it

Financial compensation which is receivedfrom the state

Need to find someone who will take careof them when they get old

Redemption for the bad things they havedone in the past

Don’t know

Multiple responses; Base: Total target population.In your opinion, what is the main motive for the people in Montenegro to be foster parents?

75

The benefits of foster care

52%

29%

24%

20%

19%

18%

1%

1%

66%Love of a child

Feeling of fulfillment that care of othersbrings

Financial assistance

Someone who will care about them intimes of trouble

Respect of other people, improvedreputation

Friend for own biological children

Brother or sister for own biological children

Other

Don't know / Refuse

Multiple responses; Base: Total target population.In your opinion, what does a family get from taking up foster care of a child?

76

Problems encountered by foster families

38%

33%

33%

31%

29%

26%

1%

42%Difficult emotional bonding with the child

Problems with biological parents of thechild (inconsistency of the parents, irregular

contacts, broken promises...)

Financial problems (lack of money forraising and educating the child)

Later separation from the child anduncertainty regarding duration of foster

care

Accepting the family rules by the child

Child's distrust

Quarrels with other children in thehousehold

Don't know / Refuse

Multiple responses; Base: Total target population.What are the biggest problems that foster families are faced with? 77

Obstacles to foster care

36%

36%

28%

18%

18%

17%

11%

11%

10%

9%

77%Poor financial situation

Insufficient support of society and state

Lack of housing conditions

Being uninformed

Complicated and long-lasting procedures

The way in which the environment looks atadopted children

No need for adoption or foster care because theyhave biological children

Problems in upbringing or behavior as aconsequence of inherited traits or previous life

Fear whether the child will fit in newenvironment

Fear of inherited diseases

Later separation from child and uncertainduration of foster care

Multiple responses; Base: Total target population.In your opinion what are the three most important obstacles due to which bigger number of families in Montenegro are not involved in Foster care?

External factors

78

Don’t know6%

The state is doing

something, but not

enough to stimulate

foster care and adoption

56%

The state is making great

effort to stimulate


4%

The state is not doing

anything to stimulate


34%

Base: Total target population.Observed in general, how would you evaluate efforts of the state aimed at stimulating foster care and adoption?

The efforts of the state to stimulate foster care and adoption

79

The efforts of the state to stimulate foster care and adoption – the state is not doing anything to stimulate foster care and adoption

34 3533 32 32

35

39

29

38

34

30

43

34

39

22

43

29

34 3336

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Base: Total target population.Observed in general, how would you evaluate efforts of the state aimed at stimulating foster care and adoption? 80

34

33

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35

33

37

33

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The efforts of the state to stimulate foster care and adoption – the state is not doing anything to stimulate foster care and adoption

Base: Total target population.Observed in general, how would you evaluate efforts of the state aimed at stimulating foster care and adoption? 81

17%

10%

6%

6%

4%

3%

3%

2%

3%

3%

25%

30%Financial support

More extensive informing/ education,raising awareness/ media campaign

More extensive, adequate assistance/engagement of the state/ all types of

Increasing monthly compensation

Benefits/ subsidies/ prizes

Adequate living conditions/ housing

Stimuli/ support/ involvement of allfactors

Simplification/ speeding up of procedures

Material assistance (food, clothes,textbooks...)

Other

Nothing

Don't know / Refuse

Stimulation of the foster care and adoption by the state

Multiple responses; Base: Total target population.Should the state stimulate or reward foster care and adoption of children in any other way? If yes, how?

Open ended

82

The right of parents to have parental leave in case of foster care/adoption of small children/infants

Base: Total target population.Should those who adopt infants or become their foster parents be enabled to have maternity leave or any other type of parental leave for child care?

Don’t know 7%No, none of

them2%

Yes, only adoptive parents

12%

Yes, both foster and adoptive parents

76%

Yes, only foster

parents3%

83


2

4

1

4

0

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2

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3 3

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2 2 2 2 2

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84

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85

Foster care and adoption in Montenegro

Love for children and wish to help them (76%), inability to have own biological children (63%), and the need for fulfilment in parenting (58%), as well as providing a home to children without parental care (42%) are most common motives that stimulate citizens of Montenegro to get engaged in foster care. In their opinion, major benefits of foster care are child’s love (66%), and feeling of fulfilment, which care of others brings (52%).

On the other hand, citizens are not unanimous regarding problems foster families are faced with. Most frequently singled out are difficult establishment of emotional bond with the child (42%), as well as problems with child’s biological parents (38%).

What prevents most citizens to get engaged in foster care is their poor financial situation (77%), lack of housing space (36%), but also insufficient support of society and state (36%). Accordingly, substantial percentage of citizens evaluate efforts of the state as insufficient (56%), and even one third of them think that the state is not doing anything to stimulate foster care and adoption. This opinion that state is not doing anything to stimulate foster care and adoption is more likely to be shared by citizens with income lower than average, as well as citizens of northern parts of Montenegro. Financial assistance is primarily mentioned as a type of stimulation (30%). However, even one fifth of citizens (25%) do not see how adoption and foster care in Montenegro could be encouraged.

More than three fourths of citizens (76%) agree that foster parents or adoptive parents of toddlers or infants should be enabled to have a leave for child care.

86

Attitudes towards foster care and

adoption

87

To what extent are children in foster families able to get ...?

Base: Total target population.In your opinion, to what extent are children in foster families able to get from their foster families... For each item, please use the scale from 1 to 5, where 1 means Not at all, and 5 means Yes, to a great extent.

86

85

82

81

78

76

12

12

15

14

17

17

1

3

3

3

3

4

Good upbringing

Affection

Love

Education

Family model of living

Financial security

% Able to get % Able and not able to get % Aren't able to get % Don't know

88

To what extent are children in foster families able to get ...? – Good upbringing

1

2

0

1

3

0 0

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% those who think that children aren't able to get

Base: Total target population.I In your opinion, to what extent are children in foster families able to get from their foster families... For each item, please use the scale from 1 to 5, where 1 means Not at all, and 5 means Yes, to a great extent. 89

To what extent are children in foster families able to get ...? – Affection

3

6

01

8

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To what extent are children in foster families able to get ...? – Love

3

5

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3

7

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To what extent are children in foster families able to get ...? – Education

3

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1

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1

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To what extent are children in foster families able to get ...? – Family model of living

3

5

1

3

6

2 2

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To what extent are children in foster families able to get ...? – Financial security

4 4

3

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6

3 3

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Attitudes toward foster care and adoption

Base: Total target population.To what extent do you agree with each of the following statements? Please use the scale from 1 to 4, where 1 means you don’t agree at all, and 4 means you completely agree.

88

87

87

86

85

85

72

5

5

3

2

3

5

2

7

8

10

12

11

10

25

Children placed in foster families or adopted children are same as allthe other children, when in stimulating environment: bright,

beautiful, curious, talented, successful, loved…

Children placed in foster families or adopted children can haveequally good friendly relationships as children growing up in their

biological families

Children placed in foster families or adopted children stand equalchances of succeeding professionally (finishing school, finding a job...)

as children growing up in biological families do

Although genes are important, it is still more important who and inwhat way is raising the child

Even if children abandoned by their parents are severely traumatizedand had a very tough childhood, care and stable foster family (or

adoptive family) can help them grow into healthy and capablepersons

Foster care and adoption enable foster parent/ adoptive parent torealize or re-realize the role of a parent

Children abandoned by biological parents are traumatized because ofthat and faced with problems throughout life

% I agree % Don't know % I don't agree

95

Attitudes toward foster care and adoption


66

65

64

59

49

43

38

35

8

5

1

11

6

7

7

4

26

30

35

30

45

51

55

60

Raising an adopted child brings equal satisfaction as raising one’s own

Bonding between adoptive parent and adopted child can be durableonly if child is adopted very early (in the first couple of months)

Not even the best foster family can fully replace biological family

Ideal foster care results in return of child into his or her biologicalfamily

Child placed in foster family can’t be loved same as one’s own child

Adopted child can’t be loved same as one’s own child

Adopted children or children placed in foster families usually havebehavior problems

Adopted children or children placed in foster families usually havelearning problems and poorer school accomplishment

% I agree % Don't know % I don't agree

96

Attitudes toward foster care and adoption - Children placed in foster families or adopted children are same as all the other children, when in stimulating environment: bright, beautiful, curious, talented, successful, loved…

50

37

5759

40

51

58To

tal

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% those who agree

Base: Total target population.To what extent do you agree with each of the following statements? Please use the scale from 1 to 4, where 1 means you don’t agree at all, and 4 means you completely agree. 97

Attitudes toward foster care and adoption - Children placed in foster families or adopted children can have equally good friendly relationships as children growing up in their biological families


42

32

49 48

33

40

53

Tota

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Mod

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on

% those who agree

98

Attitudes toward foster care and adoption - Children placed in foster families or adopted children stand equal chances of succeeding professionally (finishing school, finding a job...) as children growing up in biological families do


44

33

50 50

30

44

55

Tota

l

Low

aw

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Mod

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Mod

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Hig

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on

% those who agree

99

Attitudes toward foster care and adoption - Although genes are important, it is still more important who and in what way is raising the child


42

34

44

49

31

47 47

Tota

l

Low

aw

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Mod

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Hig

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Mod

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% those who agree

100

Attitudes toward foster care and adoption - Even if children abandoned by their parents are severely traumatized and had a very tough childhood, caring and stable foster family (or adoptive family) can help them grow into healthy and capable persons


41

34

4547

31

4845

Tota

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Mod

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% those who agree

101

Attitudes toward foster care and adoption - Foster care and adoption enable foster parent/ adoptive parent to realize or re-realize the role of a parent


3228

34 35

23

31

41

Tota

l

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Mod

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eaw

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on

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on

% those who agree

102

Attitudes toward foster care and adoption - Children abandoned by biological parents are traumatized because of that and faced with problems throughout life


31

25

36 35

26

39

30

Tota

l

Low

aw

aren

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of fo

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Mod

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Hig

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Low

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on

Mod

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eaw

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on

Hig

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% those who agree

103

Attitudes toward foster care and adoption - Raising an adopted child brings equal satisfaction as raising one’s own

23

16

24

29

17

2327

Tota

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Mod

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Hig

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% those who agree


4

Attitudes toward foster care and adoption – Bonding between adoptive parent and adopted child can be durable only if child is adopted very early (in the first couple of months)

2624

31

24

29 28

22

Tota

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Mod

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Hig

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% those who agree


5

Attitudes toward foster care and adoption - Not even the best foster family can fully replace biological family

29

21

34 33

2528

33

Tota

l

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Mod

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Hig

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% those who agree


6

Attitudes toward foster care and adoption - Ideal foster care results in return of child into his or her biological family

25

18

25

33

22 23

29

Tota

l

Low

aw

aren

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of fo

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Mod

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Hig

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Mod

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eaw

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Hig

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% those who agree


7

Attitudes toward foster care and adoption - Child placed in foster family can’t be loved same as one’s own child

15 15 16 1517

13

16

Tota

l

Low

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aren

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Mod

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Mod

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eaw

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on

Hig

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aren

ess

of a

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on

% those who agree


8

Attitudes toward foster care and adoption - Adopted child can’t be loved same as one’s own child

13 1215

13

16

12 12

Tota

l

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Mod

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% those who agree


9

Attitudes towards foster care and adoption - Adopted children or children placed in foster families usually have behavior problems

8 810

5

11

8

5

Tota

l

Low

aw

aren

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of fo

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Mod

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Mod

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Hig

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% those who agree


0

Attitudes toward foster care and adoption - Adopted children or children placed in foster families usually have learning problems and poorer school accomplishment

79

67

9

5

9

Tota

l

Low

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Mod

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% those who agree


1

Attitudes towards foster care and adoption

Most citizens of Montenegro agree that children in foster families can have good upbringing (86%), care (85%), love (82%), education (81%), family model of living (78%), as well as financial security (76%). Those who are not very familiar with foster care and adoption are more likely to disagree with this attitude.

In line with positive attitude towards the possibility that foster families provide children with love, care, education and everything that children usually get in their biological families, there are also other positive attitudes towards foster care and adoption. So, most citizens believe that children placed in foster families or adopted children are same as all the other children, when in stimulating environment (88%), that they can have equally good friendly relationships (87%) and that they stand equal chances of succeeding professionally (87%). Furthermore, most citizens believe that, although genes are important, it is still more important who and in what way is raising the child (86%), and that even if children abandoned by their parents are severely traumatized and had a very tough childhood, caring and stable foster family can help them grow into healthy and capable persons (85%). Besides, foster care and adoption enable fulfilment of the need for parenting (85%) and also raising an adopted child brings equal satisfaction as raising one’s own (66%). On the other hand, two thirds of citizens (65%) believe that bonding between adoptive parent and adopted child can be durable only if child is adopted very early (in the first couple of months), while considered ideal is foster care that ends with child’s return to his or her biological family (59%).

When it comes to the prevalence of negative attitudes regarding foster care and adoption, high percentage of citizens agree that children abandoned by biological parents are traumatized because of that and faced with problems throughout life (72%), and that not even the best foster family can fully replace biological family (64%). Accordingly, more than one third of citizens share the attitude that adopted children or children placed in foster families usually have behaviour problems (38%), or learning problems and poorer school accomplishment (35%). Furthermore, almost a half of citizens believe that a child placed in foster family (49%), or adopted child (43%) can’t be loved same as one’s own child. 112

Experience and interest in foster care

and adoption

113

Helping children without parental care

Base: Total target population. Have you ever been in a situation to help, directly or indirectly, a child without parental care (options: financially, with food/ clothes, conversation...)?

20

37

25

80

63

75

Financial, in money

Food, clothes, hygieneproducts

Conversation, support

% Yes % No

114

Actual interest in foster care

Base: Total target population.How interested would you be in being a foster parent to a child without parents or without adequate parental care at this moment?

65%

26%

91%

4%

4%

3%

1%

1%

1%

Not interested at all

Mainly not interested

NOT INTERESTED

Both yes and no

INTERESTED

Somewhat interested

Very interested

I am a foster parent/I usedto be a foster parent

Don’t know

115

Actual interest in foster care – interested

Base: Total target population.How interested would you be in being a foster parent to a child without parents or without adequate parental care at this moment?

43

5 5 5 5

1

4

7

3 3

54 4

2

43

7

3

6

Tota

l

Mal

e

Fem

ale

18-2

9

30-3

9

40-4

9

50-6

4

65+

Elem

enta

ry s

choo

l

Seco

ndar

y sc

hool

Colle

ge o

r Uni

vers

ity

Less

than

100

EU

R

101-

200

EUR

Mor

e th

an 2

00 E

UR

Refu

se to

ans

wer

Nor

th

Cent

er

Sout

h

Urb

an

Oth

er

% those who are interested

116

4 4

5

3

5

2

5

Tota

l

Low

aw

aren

ess

of fo

ster

car

e

Mod

erat

eaw

aren

ess

offo

ster

car

e

Hig

h aw

aren

ess

of fo

ster

car

e

Low

aw

aren

ess

of a

dopti

on

Mod

erat

eaw

aren

ess

ofad

opti

on

Hig

h aw

aren

ess

of a

dopti

on


Actual interest in foster care – interested

Base: Total target population.How interested would you be in being a foster parent to a child without parents or without adequate parental care at this moment? 11

7

Interest in the foster care in the future

62%

28%

90%

6%

4%

3%

1%



NOT INTERESTED

Both yes and no

INTERESTED

Somewhat interested

Very interested

Base: Those who are not currently interested in being a foster to a child without parents or parental care (96% of target population)At some moment in your life (near or distant future), how interested would you be in being a foster parent to a child without parents or without adequate parental care? 11

8

Interest in the foster care in the future – interested

Base: Those who are not currently interested in being a foster to a child without parents or parental care (96% of target population)At some moment in your life (near or distant future), how interested would you be in being a foster parent to a child without parents or without adequate parental care?

43

4

7

5

3

12

4

2

6

23

45

2

4 4 4

2

Tota

l

Mal

e

Fem

ale

18-2

9

30-3

9

40-4

9

50-6

4

65+

Elem

enta

ry s

choo

l

Seco

ndar

y sc

hool

Colle

ge o

r Uni

vers

ity

Less

than

100

EU

R

101-

200

EUR

Mor

e th

an 2

00 E

UR

Refu

se to

ans

wer

Nor

th

Cent

er

Sout

h

Urb

an

Oth

er


119

4

1

6

4

3 3

4

Tota

l

Low

aw

aren

ess

of fo

ster

car

e

Mod

erat

eaw

aren

ess

offo

ster

car

e

Hig

h aw

aren

ess

of fo

ster

car

e

Low

aw

aren

ess

of a

dopti

on

Mod

erat

eaw

aren

ess

ofad

opti

on

Hig

h aw

aren

ess

of a

dopti

on


Interest in the foster care in the future – interested

Base: Those who are not currently interested in being a foster to a child without parents or parental care (96% of target population)At some moment in your life (near or distant future), how interested would you be in being a foster parent to a child without parents or without adequate parental care? 12

0

Motives for foster care

21%

6%

3%

12%

65%A wish to help/

humanity

Love towardschildren/ providing a

home, warmth,happiness to child

A wish to havechildren/ mutualsatisfaction, love,

care

If they had financial/housing conditions

Don't know / Refuse

Multiple responses; Base: Those who are interested in being a foster to a child without parents or parental care (14% of target population)What motivates you most to be a foster parent?

Open ended

121

Acceptability of care of children without parental care with different characteristics

Base: Those who are interested in being a foster to a child without parents or parental care (14% of target population)If you decided to be a foster parent, do you think you would be able to take care of...? Please use the scale from 1 to 5, where 1 means Not likely at all, and 5 means Very likely

63

61

55

53

47

35

32

24

21

20

1818

26

27

27

34

25

29

35

3429

21

16

19

20

26

32

35

50

49

45

4753

33

22

16A child whose parents are unknown

A child victim of violence, abuse and neglect

A child who lived in institution

A child of underage parents

A child of foreign nationality

A child whose parents are unable to take care of him becauseof imprisonment

A child whose parents are drug or alcohol addicts

Roma child

A child with behavior disorder

A child with disability (eye sight, hearing, speech, physicaldisability)

A child with a chronic disease

A child with intellectual disability

% Likely % Both yes and no % Not likely % Don't know / Refuse

122

Different influences on the decision about foster care

Base: Those who are interested in being a foster to a child without parents or parental care (14% of target population)If you decided to be a foster parent, to what extent would each of the following items influence your decision?

68

66

64

56

51

45

39

36

23

20

18

19

22

23

14

19

17

16

24

27

30

37

40

63

21

17

11Family support

Child’s mental health

Child’s physical health

Support of Social Welfare Center

Anamnesis of child’s biological parents

Duration of the foster care establishing process

Possibility of maternity leave and other forms of absence forchild care in case of foster care of a toddler

The amount of financial allowance

Attitudes of the environment

% Influence % Neither yes nor no % No influence % Don't know / Refuse

123

The main reasons why citizens wouldn’t be a foster parent to a child

15%

13%

8%

7%

4%

2%

2%

2%

2%

2%

1%

19%

37%Living conditions (financial, housing,

unemployment...)

I have my own children

Age/ health condition

No need/ they don't want to/ they are notthinking about that

Too big of a responsibility/ I am not ready forthat

Too many other responsibilities/ lack of time

I want to have my own, biological children

Family situation (family responsibilities/ bigfamily)

I'm too young

Fear of child's adaptation/ sick, problematicchild

Other

Nothing/ no reason

Don't know / Refuse

Multiple responses; Base: Those who are not interested in being a foster to a child without parents or parental care (92% of target population)What are the main reasons why you would not take a child for foster care?

Open ended

124

Actual interest in adoption

Base: Total target population.How interested are you at the moment in adopting a child?

66%

28%

94%

3%

2%

1%

1%



NOT INTERESTED

Both yes and no

INTERESTED

Somewhat interested

Very interested

125

Actual interest in adoption - interested

2 2 2

1

3

4

1 1 1

2

3

2

3

2

1 1

2

3

1

3

Tota

l

Mal

e

Fem

ale

18-2

9

30-3

9

40-4

9

50-6

4

65+

Elem

enta

ry s

choo

l

Seco

ndar

y sc

hool

Colle

ge o

r Uni

vers

ity

Less

than

100

EU

R

101-

200

EUR

Mor

e th

an 2

00 E

UR

Refu

se to

ans

wer

Nor

th

Cent

er

Sout

h

Urb

an

Oth

er


Base: Total target population.How interested are you at the moment in adopting a child? 12

6

Actual interest in adoption - interested

Base: Total target population.How interested are you at the moment in adopting a child?

2

3

2 2

3

1

2

Tota

l

Nis

kaup

ozna

tost

sa

hran

itel

jstv

om

Sred

nja

upoz

nato

st s

ahr

anit

eljs

tvom

Viso

kaup

ozna

tost

sa

hran

itel

jstv

om

Nis

kaup

ozna

tost

sa

usvo

jenj

em

Sred

nja

upoz

nato

st s

aus

voje

njem

Viso

kaup

ozna

tost

sa

usvo

jenj

em


127

Motives for adoption

34%

6%

5%

6%

14%

41%A wish to help/ humanity

Love towards children/ providing a home,warmth, happiness to child

If I can't have my own children

A wish to have children/ mutualsatisfaction, love, care

Other

Don't know / Refuse

Multiple responses; Base: Those who are interested in adopting a child (6% of target population)What motivates you most to adopt a child?

Open ended

128

Acceptability of adoption of children without parental care with different characteristics

Base: Those who are interested in adopting a child (6% of target population)If you decided to adopt a child, do you think you would be able to take care of...?

66

53

48

47

27

24

23

21

19

21

38

45

40

45

36

7

15

28

11

24

29

32

31

41

38

29

23A child whose parents are unknown

A child who lived in institution

A child whose parents are stripped of their parental right

A child of foreign nationality

A child with behavior problems

A child with disability (eye sight, hearing, speech, physicaldisability)

Roma child

A child with a chronic disease

A child with intellectual disability

% Likely % Both yes and no % Not likely % Don't know / Refuse

129

Different influences on the decision about adoption

Base: Those who are interested in adopting a child (6% of target population)If you decided to adopt a child, to what extent would each of the following items influence your decision?

75

65

64

59

58

55

30

20

28

17

25

4

15

13

13

24

17

3826

18

18Family support

Child’s mental health

Duration of the adoptionprocess

Child’s physical health

Anamnesis of child’s biologicalparents

Financial situation

Attitudes of the environment

% Influence % Neither yes nor no % No influence % Don't know / Refuse

130

The main reasons why citizens wouldn’t adopt a child

20%

13%

9%

6%

5%

4%

3%

2%

2%

1%

2%

17%

31%Living conditions (financial, housing,

unemployment...)

I have my own children

Age/ health condition

No need/ they don't want to/ they are notthinking about that

Too big of a responsibility/ I am not ready forthat

I'm too young

I want to have my own, biological children

Too many other responsibilities/ lack of time

Family situation (family responsibilities/ bigfamily/ not married...)

Fear of child's adaptation/ sick, problematicchild

Fear of the reaction of others/ lack of support

Other

Don't know / Refuse

Multiple responses; Base: Those who are not interested in adopting a child (98% of target population)What are the main reasons why you wouldn’t adopt a child?

Open ended

131

Actual interest in foster care and adoption

26%

91%

4%

4%

3%

1%

28%

94%

3%

2%

1%

1%

65%

66%Not interested at all


NOT INTERESTED

Both yes and no

INTERESTED

Somewhat interested

Very interested Foster careAdoption

Base: Total target population.How interested would you be in being a foster parent to a child without parents or without adequate parental care at this moment?How interested are you at the moment in adopting a child?

132

Base: Total target population.Do you know anyone who adopted a child?

Knowing someone who has adopted a child/has taken a child for foster care

Do you have children?Do you know anyone who

adopted a child?

Base: Total target population.Do you have children?

Yes11%

No89%

Yes14%

No86%

Yes67%

No33%

And do you know anyone who took a child for foster

care?

Base: Total target population.And do you know anyone who took a child for foster care?

133

11

8

13

12

7

11

13

Tota

l

Low

aw

aren

ess

of fo

ster

car

e

Mod

erat

eaw

aren

ess

offo

ster

car

e

Hig

h aw

aren

ess

of fo

ster

car

e

Low

aw

aren

ess

of a

dopti

on

Mod

erat

eaw

aren

ess

ofad

opti

on

Hig

h aw

aren

ess

of a

dopti

on

% those who know someone

Knowing someone who has adopted a child – answer YES

Base: Total target population.Do you know anyone who adopted a child? 13

5

Knowing someone who has taken a child into foster care – answer YES

Base: Total target population.And do you know anyone who took a child into foster care?

14

12

14

15

12

Tota

l

Low

awar

enes

s of

fost

er c

are

Mod

erat

eaw

aren

ess

offo

ster

car

e

Hig

haw

aren

ess

offo

ster

car

e

Low

awar

enes

s of

adop

tion

Mod

erat

eaw

aren

ess

ofad

opti

on

Hig

haw

aren

ess

ofad

opti

on

% those who know someone

137

Experience and interest in foster care and adoption

When it comes to helping children without parental care, most common type of support is provision of food (37%), clothes, hygiene products. One fourth of citizens helped children with disability by providing psychological support, talking to them, while one fifth of citizens claimed to had helped them financially.

Current interest of the citizens of Montenegro in foster care is at a very low level; 91% of citizens are not interested in foster care, 4% are indecisive, while only 4% are interested.

Wish to help (65%), as well as love for children (21%) are the main motives that stimulate the interested to be foster parents.

Highest percentage of the citizens who are interested in being foster parents find it acceptable to take care of a child of unknown parents (63%), as well as a child victim of violence, abuse and neglect (61%). About half of citizens are willing to take care of a child who lived in institution (55%), child of underage parents (53%), as well as a child with foreign citizenship (47%). Not as many citizens, about one third of them, would be willing to take care of a child whose parents are unable to take care of him because they are in prison (35%), or a child whose parents are drug or alcohol addicts (32%). Children that lowest percentage of citizens would be willing to take care of are children with intellectual or other developmental problems, a chronic disease, behaviour problems, as well as children of Roma nationality. Only one fifth of citizens say that they would be willing to take care of such children as well.

138


Most relevant factors that influence making a decision about foster care refer to family support (68%), child’s mental and physical health (66% and 64%, respectively), support of Social Welfare Centre (56%), as well as medical history of child’s biological parents (51%). Additionally, characteristics of the foster care process also influence this decision, such as duration of the foster care establishing process (45%), possibility of taking a leave in case of becoming a foster parent of an infant (39%), as well as monthly allowance (36%). One fifth of citizens (23%) say that also attitude of their environment influences their decision.

Financial situation and poor living conditions are the main reasons for citizens’ unwillingness to be foster parents (37%). It is interesting that one fifth of them can’t specify what prevents them from becoming foster parents.

When talking about taking interest in adoption among the citizens of Montenegro, situation is the same as in case of interest in foster care - 94% of citizens are not interested in adopting a child.

Most common motives for adoption coincide with motives for foster care, and these are a wish to help (41%) and love for children (34%).

139


Also considering adoption of children without parental care, citizens of Montenegro find most acceptable children of unknown parents (66%), who lived in a institution (53%), as well as children with foreign citizenship (47%); more than half of the citizens would adopt such children. On the other hand, a lot lower percentage of citizens would accept a child with behavioural, intellectual or other developmental problems, with a chronic diseases or a Roma child (about one fifth of them).

The decision about adoption is influenced most by family support (75%), child’s mental health (65%), but also duration of adoption process (64%); it is obvious that these factors are similar as in case of foster care. Additionally, more than half of citizens say that also child’s physical health is important for making this decision (59%), medical history of child’s biological parents (58%), as well as financial situation (55%). Attitude of the environment affects the decision of one third of citizens.

Most citizens would not adopt a child because of their unenviable financial situation (31%), same as in case of foster care. However, many citizens say that they are not willing to adopt a child because they have their own children (20%), while 17% of them don’t know why they would not adopt a child.

140

Communication channels

141

The existence of information about foster care and adoption

Don’t know6%

Yes, we hear

enough about it in the media

12%

No, I rarely hear

something about it in the media

82%

37%

24%

11%

10%

1%

5%

60%

23%Not available at all

Mainly not available

NOT AVAILABLE

Neither available norunavailable

AVAILABLE

Mainly available

Fully available

Don't know

In your opinion, are foster care and adoption of children sufficiently covered by the media?

To what extent is information about adoption and foster care available to citizens?

Base: Total target population.To what extent would you say that the foster care and adoption of children are present in the media?

Base: Total target population.To what extent is information about adoption and foster care available to citizens? 14

2

Sources of information about foster care and adoption

25%

19%

9%

5%

5%

2%

1%

1%

40%Social Welfare Center

Internet

TV

Friends, acquaintances, family

Magazines, journals, professional publications

Newspapers

Radio

Other

Dоn't know/Refusal

Multiple answers; Base: Total target populationIn case you needed more information about this topic, where would you search for information?

143

Summary and conclusions

Majority of the citizens of Montenegro think that the state doesn't make enough efforts to prevent abandonment of children.

While adoption is relatively often perceived as a form of child protection of children without parental care, foster care is recognized as such considerably less frequently. It shouldn't be forgotten that equal percentage of the citizens who consider adoption as an adequate form of child protection also think that placing children without parental care in institutions is an adequate form of child protection. Therefore, more efforts should be placed in raising the public awareness about the advantages of child growth in foster and adoptive families.

Observed globally, self-assessed level of citizens' awareness about foster care is on an exceptionally low level. Nevertheless, majority of the citizens are aware of some facts regarding foster care, for example, the fact that foster care is a temporary care about the child, and that foster parents have the responsibility to provide conditions for optimal development of the child and prepare him/her for independent life and work. Lower percentage of the citizens know who the foster parents can be, and which right and obligations the biological parents of children placed in foster family have. Besides that, not a negligible percentage of the citizens think that foster care means establishing a relationship of kinship between child and foster parents, and that foster parents can manage and dispose of the child's property. All mentioned facts indicate that attention should be paid to promotion of foster care, and education of the citizens about this form of child protection for children without parental care.

On the other hand, citizens of Montenegro are much more informed about adoption. However, what majority of the citizens are not familiar with is the fact that adoption can be full or partial, and differences between these two types of adoption. Besides that, lower percentage of the citizens are aware of the possibility of managing and disposing of the child's property, while certain percentage of the citizens claim that adoptive parents receive monthly compensation from the state.

High percentage of the citizens are unable to specify the difference between foster care and adoption. The highest percentage of the citizens who are able to specify this difference most frequently mention temporary character of foster care. 144


Observed in general, attitude towards foster care and adoption is mainly positive. The prevailing opinion is that foster and adoptive families can provide children with everything they get in their biological families. The strongest drivers that stimulate foster care and adoption are love for children and wish to help someone, as well as the need to fulfil the role of parenting. However, many citizens believe that ideal foster care process ends up with children returning to their biological families. On the other hand, significant percentage of citizens believe that foster family can never replace the biological one, or that adopted child or child placed in foster family can be loved equally as one’s own child, as well as that children abandoned by their parents stay traumatised for the rest of their lives and that they usually have problems with learning and behaviour in general. Accordingly, there are various doubts when it comes to problems foster families are faced with, and what citizens fear most is difficult establishing of emotional bond with a child, as well as problems with child’s biological parents. Therefore particular attention should be paid to education and destroying prejudice about foster care and relationship child-foster parent, and pointing to good aspects of foster care. On the other hand, as barriers for foster care and adoption, usually mentioned are poor financial situation, but also lack of support of the society and the state. So, there is obvious discrepancy between perceptions of problems that foster families are faced with and perceived factors that prevent citizens from being engaged in foster care; while the perceived problems are of interior nature, barriers come from the surrounding, and not from individuals.

145


Interest in foster care and adoption is at a very low level, which additionally points to necessity of motivating the citizens of Montenegro through strong campaigns, but also the need to make procedures simpler and closer to citizens.

As for suitability of children of different characteristics, most citizens are not willing to take care of children whose parents are in prison or are drug or alcohol addicts, as well as children with intellectual or other developmental problems, chronic diseases, or children of Roma nationality. Besides family support, actually child’s mental and physical health is what determines the decision on foster care most. It should not be neglected that the very foster care process, as well as material monthly allowance, do influence this decision, so the process of establishing foster care needs to be simplified and adequate monthly allowance needs to be introduced.

146

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