“All I wanted was someone to be there”: Surviving the Structured Abuse in Group Homes

This research delves into the lives of individuals who have experienced living in group homes in the foster care system. I look specifically at how these forms of institutional care affect their transitions into adulthood. Through conducting eight semi-structured interviews, participants share their stories and experiences of these institutions and bring insight into how such institutions have affected their lives. The interviews provide knowledge on the standpoints of each participant, through their retrospective reflections on at their time spent in group homes and transitions into adulthood. The participants reveal the structured abuse found inside of group homes, and highlight how this abuse has affected their lives. My research represents a social justice approach for youth in the foster cares system, which demands transparency and accountability to the care provided in group homes.