The concept of family: Perspectives of Spanish young people in foster care

Abstract

This article employs concepts from family sociology to explore how‘family’is con-ceptualised in 14 life narratives of young people in foster care in Spain. The articledraws on a multi-method approach with young people who are in long-term non-kinship foster care. Seven girls and seven boys aged 10 to 22 took part in the study.The empirical material reveals an interplay between biological preference and fosterfamily affective practices in young people's narratives, illuminating a struggle to makesense of the concept of family in foster care. Most of the participants understandfamily as shared affective practices sustained through love, commitment, consistentcare and reciprocity rather than blood ties. Some show a preference for biologicalconnectivity, while others describe family as determined by rituals and family dis-plays. The key practice implications highlight the importance helping young peoplepositioning themselves in birth family relationships, and supporting their sense offamily belonging.