One of the biggest misconceptions we have in our country is that foster care is a good thing; well, that's not the case. There are so many flaws in our foster care system that it can even be considered a good idea. With constant reports of abuse, depression, lack of stability, and even the terrible aftereffects of the foster care system, like homelessness and incarceration; the foster care system hurts more than it helps. Our foster care system is bad for America, but especially for our children. Chronic abuse and neglect are a significant part of the foster care system. According to the Children's Rights website, "nearly 700,000 abused and neglected children will be placed in foster care in the United States this year." Many children end up in the care of a social worker and eventually find themselves in the arms of a new family. The authors of Foster Care Placement, Poor Parenting, and Negative Outcomes Among Homeless Young Adults state that "more than half a million American youth are currently placed in foster care due to abuse and neglect of their children” (Tyler, Kimberly A. and Lisa A. Melander). This is a very terrifying statistic. It's hard to think that there are that many children in foster care, let alone that more than half a million are in the system due to abuse or neglect. Some even faced abuse before, during and after foster care (787). This brings me to my first point; if foster care is so great, why do children still have to deal with abuse once placed in foster care? Why are children like Krystal Scurry raped and killed by those who are supposed to provide better living conditions (Ambrose, Jeanne). Why are little children like Joshua Lindsey beaten to death by their adoptive parents (1)? Which is middle of paper......r.2014.Child Welfare Information Gateway. “Foster Care Statistics 2012.” Family placement statistics 2012. Np,2013. Internet. March 19, 2014. “Facts About Aging.” RSS Children's rights. Np, and Web. March 18, 2014. Kerrigan, Nancy. “Nancy Kerrigan sits down with Bob Costas.” Interview conducted by Bob Costas. NBCSports Olympic coverage. BNC. Sochi, Russia, February 2014. Television. Tyler, Kimberly A. and Lisa A. Melander. “Foster placement, poor parenting, and negative outcomes among homeless young adults.” Journal of Child and Family Studies19.6 (2010): 787-794. ERIC. Internet. March 10, 2014. Wells, Melissa and Melissa Correia. “Re-entry into out-of-home care: implications of risk and safety assessments by child protection workers.” Social Work Research 36.3 (2012): 181-195. ERIC. Internet. March 18. 2014.