From Central to Marginal? Changing Perceptions of Kinship Fosterage in Ghana

Historically, child care, in much of Africa, was a communal responsibility especially through the practice of kinship fosterage. However, as a result of recent socioeconomic changes, there is some evidence to suggest that a shift is taking place in community perceptions about the continuing benefit of kinship fosterage for children in particular. Instead, the roles of parents are being foregrounded in the socialization process. Despite this, there is evidence to suggest that large numbers of parents are retreating from their responsibilities. In this way, traditional safety nets that existed for children are being chipped away, leading many to look after themselves or explore alternative sources of support and care. Therefore, this article aims to explore the extent to which current perceptions of kinship fosterage are changing in Ghana.