The Spahn case: There is another option to be a parent

The German Federal Statistical Office has released data showing that nearly 57,000 children and adolescents were placed under guardianship in Germany in 2025. This marks a slight decline compared to previous years, primarily due to fewer unaccompanied minor asylum seekers being placed under care. However, this drop masks a growing concern: the number of children facing urgent welfare risks increased, along with reports from distressed youth. Physical and psychological abuse among minors, especially girls, rose sharply. The statistics reveal a troubling trend over two decades, despite the reduction in asylum seeker numbers, the need for protective measures within families continues to grow. These figures come amid intense political debate over who should have the right to become a parent and whether such rights should exist at all. Discussions focus largely on future children, while those already living in need of care are overlooked. In 2024, approximately 221,500 infants, toddlers, and young people spent time outside their families in foster homes or institutions. Foster families can provide stable relationships and long-term support, offering children a sense of belonging akin to “family” in the traditional sense. Yet, the role of becoming a parent through fostering has been largely absent from public discourse, particularly in debates involving Minister Jens Spahn. According to estimates from the Federation of Foster and Adoptive Families, at least 4,000 additional foster families are needed each year. For every child seeking adoption, around four applicants are available. This shortage highlights a critical gap in the system. Many children whose biological parents are unable to care for them face challenges in finding permanent placements. These children often carry emotional burdens, sometimes described as traumatic or problematic, which can lead to them being labeled as difficult or requiring return to their birth families. Success stories, where children thrive in supportive environments, are rarely highlighted, despite their significance in demonstrating the positive impact of fostering. Despite promises made in coalition agreements to strengthen the rights of foster parents and introduce parental benefits for them, current draft legislation fails to include foster parents as eligible recipients of such support. The proposed Children's Rights Modernization Act, planned by the Ministry of Justice, includes provisions related to foster parenting rights but does not offer substantial improvements in protecting children’s well-being or strengthening the position of foster parents. The federal government’s family portal does not even list foster children under the section for prospective parents, further marginalizing the issue. In contrast, some politicians in Berlin have chosen to become foster parents themselves. Their personal experiences underscore the potential for fostering to serve as both a meaningful contribution to society and a deeply fulfilling life choice. Nevertheless, these individual efforts remain isolated, lacking broader political recognition or systemic support. The ongoing debate over reproductive rights and the status of parenthood appears disconnected from the pressing needs of children currently in crisis. As the discussion continues, the challenge lies in ensuring that the voices of children in need are heard, not just as abstract policy issues, but as real individuals requiring safe, loving environments. The data underscores the urgency of addressing the growing demand for foster care and the necessity of reforming policies that fail to recognize the vital role of foster parents in safeguarding children’s futures. The path forward requires more than rhetoric, it demands action that reflects the reality of thousands of children waiting for a home.