| Summary: | 碩士 === 國立嘉義大學 === 家庭教育研究所 === 92 === A Study on the Lived Experiences of the Foster Parents
His-Chin Chen
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to listen to the lived experiences of the foster parents living in Southern Taiwan. Using hermeneutic phenomenological methodology, this study attempted to search for the meanings behind the foster parents’ experiences, and discover the nature of such lived experiences through the process of dialogues and understandings. The research question was “what is the experience like to be foster parents?” The semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted as the major method to develop a conversational relationship with ten foster parents.
Through the thematic analysis and inter-subjective agreement with the participants, six essential themes were identified as follows: (a) Involvement: providing sincere services and contributions; (b) Discouragement: being confused and stressed; (c) Realization: experiencing the art of childrearing; (d) Cherishment: caring with dedicated heart and soul; (e) Letting go: recalling nice memories and missing the affinity; and (f) Appreciation: celebrating mutual growth and maturity. These common themes have showed that the essences of the foster parents’ lived experiences are acceptance, tolerance, forgiveness, responsibility, and thanksgiving. It also appeared that the most vital essence among them is “love”.
At the end of this study, some discussions and reflections as well as conclusions were presented. Hopefully, the valuable meanings under their experiences could bring new insights for foster parents, the guiding principles of family education, the policy of the government institutions, and the research in the future.
Key words: foster parents, hermeneutic phenomenology, lived experience, thematic analysis
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